Tuition and Funding Support for Doctoral Students

All full-time Biden School* doctoral students are admitted with 5 years of funding support, which includes a stipend for an assistantship assignment and 100% tuition scholarship. The University of Delaware sets the graduate tuition rate, which typically changes each year. 

Biden School doctoral support opportunities include :

• Research assistantships in multiple research and public service centers

• Teaching assistantships in Biden School and other units on campus    

• University of Delaware and Graduate College fellowships

• Fellowships for students from underrepresented groups

• And more
  

Additional Support

We realize that Ph.D. students need support beyond tuition and a stipend. We offer a number of other supports to help ensure our students' success. Biden School doctoral students can apply for competitive funding for:

• Conference travel

• Summer and winter session support

• Study abroad

• Research abroad

• Special equipment and resources for dissertation research
  

• Loaner laptops
  

• Dissertation research support​
  

• And more

Our funding support packages also include student health insurance and prescription coverage. The University pays for approximately 86% of the cost of this plan as well as a 50% subsidy of a dental plan. Details are available on the student insur​ance information page.

*Doctoral students in joint degree programs must consult with their primary department regarding the availability of funding support.

The Biden School's doctoral programs in Public Policy and Administration, Disaster Science and Management, and Energy amd Environmental Policy offer students the opportunity to study in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research-focused environment. Our students learn the state of knowledge in their fields. We provide a supportive environment where students find their voice and learn the skills of the research trade. We are dedicated to the success of each individual student. 

All of the programs also include a focus on applied research and the creation of usable knowledge. As action-oriented research degrees, we position our alumni for placement in many well-respected academic, public, and nonprofit institutions. 

The Biden School provides financial assistance to Ph.D. students through teaching assistantships, research assistantships and graduate assistantships generated by the ​school. A student's assistantship placement may change year to year to provide a variety of enriching experiences and academic skill-building, as well as to meet departmental needs. 

Biden School doctoral students are nominated by the school for competitive University-wide, school-wide, and Graduate College fellowships. We also work to help Ph.D. students apply for support from external organizations, such as Fulbright and government agencies and professional associations. We welcome students with this type of support to apply. 

As a major source of support for the University of Delaware's diversity efforts, the Biden School receives several University Graduate Scholars (UGS) awards each year for graduate students. A UGS award comprises a full tuition scholarship for the academic year (fall and spring semesters) and a graduate student stipend. University Graduate Scholars are expected to work in one of Biden School's affiliated research centers for 20 hours per week during the academic year. 

Please review the terms for financial aid ​for graduate study at the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration at the University of Delaware. Funding is offered for 5 years of full-time study in the Biden School​ doctoral programs, pending satisfactory performance and degree progress.