Fully-Funded Notebaert Premier Scholarship 2027 Opens for International PhD Students in USA
The Notebaert Premier Scholarship 2027 is an important funding opportunity for students planning to pursue a PhD in the United States. The University of Notre Dame offers the Richard and Peggy Notebaert Premier Fellowship to selected incoming doctoral students.
The fellowship can provide full tuition coverage, an annual living stipend of $46,000 to $48,000, and full student health insurance premiums. Support can continue for up to five years as long as fellows maintain satisfactory academic progress.
What Is the Notebaert Premier Fellowship?
The Richard and Peggy Notebaert Premier Fellowship is a competitive graduate funding program at the University of Notre Dame. Students do not submit a separate application for the fellowship.
Instead, applicants first apply for admission to an eligible full-time graduate program. Academic departments nominate outstanding admitted students, after which the university makes fellowship selections.
The Notebaert Premier Scholarship 2027 is therefore linked directly to the graduate admission process. Receiving admission, however, does not automatically mean that a student will receive the fellowship.
Scholarship Benefits for Selected PhD Students
Selected fellows receive financial support designed to cover major costs during their doctoral studies. The university provides both tuition assistance and a living allowance.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Full tuition support |
| Annual stipend | $46,000–$48,000, depending on program |
| Health insurance | Full premium for the university-sponsored student plan |
| Duration | Up to five years, subject to satisfactory progress |
| Professional development | Priority access to eligible funding opportunities |
The annual stipend is paid for all 12 months of the year. Fellows may also receive priority access to funding for academic conferences, research travel, presentations and other professional development activities.
These additional opportunities are separate from the regular living allowance and are subject to eligibility and available funding.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Students interested in the Notebaert Premier Scholarship 2027 must apply for a full-time graduate program at Notre Dame. International students can also apply for admission and be considered for fellowship funding.
The Graduate School generally requires applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. Its general minimum undergraduate GPA requirement is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, although individual departments can establish additional academic requirements.
Applicants should carefully check the requirements of their selected PhD program before submitting an application.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are required to demonstrate English proficiency can submit an accepted English-language test. Notre Dame lists minimum scores for IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo English Test.
| Test | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 7.0 overall |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 overall, including 23 in Speaking |
| TOEFL updated 1–6 scale | 4.5 average, with no section below 4.0 |
Some applicants may qualify for an English-language test exemption, depending on Notre Dame’s rules.
PhD Programs and Application Deadlines
Notre Dame offers doctoral programs in areas including engineering, sciences, humanities, social sciences, global affairs and business.
The deadline is not the same for every program. Many fall admission deadlines are between December and January. For example, some programs have deadlines on December 1, while others accept applications as late as January 15.
Because deadlines vary by department, students should check their selected program’s official admission page before applying. Spring admission is also available for a limited number of doctoral programs.
Documents You Should Prepare
Applicants should prepare their documents before starting the online application. Common requirements include:
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of intent or research statement
- CV or résumé
- Three recommendation letters
- English proficiency test results, when required
- GRE scores where required
- Writing samples, portfolios or other department-specific materials
Individual PhD programs may request additional documents.
How to Apply for the 2027 Fellowship
To apply for the Notebaert Premier Scholarship 2027, students should first select a suitable PhD program at the University of Notre Dame. They should then review the program’s deadline and admission requirements.
The application is submitted through Notre Dame’s graduate admission portal. Applicants need to complete the online form, upload the required documents and provide contact information for three referees.
There is no separate fellowship application. Eligible admitted students are considered through the graduate admission and departmental nomination process.
The Graduate School charges a $75 application fee, although eligible applicants may request a fee waiver under qualifying circumstances.
Final Tips for Applicants
Students should avoid waiting until the deadline to prepare their application. Strong academic records, a clear statement of research interests, suitable recommendations and complete supporting documents can help ensure that the application is ready for departmental review.
Since program requirements and deadlines can differ, applicants should verify the latest information for their chosen PhD program before submission.
