Carnegie Mellon University

Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards

Incoming Students

Fellowships

INI fellowships are merit-based and will be awarded during the admissions application review process. While students may indicate that they are interested in receiving a fellowship, there is no application process for this type of opportunity. 

Director's Fellowship

In a continued effort to provide funding opportunities to highly-qualified applicants, the INI has established multiple Director’s Fellowships, which will provide partial- and full-tuition scholarships to incoming INI students. Eligibility is merit-based and candidates will be selected during the application review process. Admitted applicants with a strong record of academic and personal achievements and high potential will be selected by the Director of the INI to receive this award.

Presidential Fellowship

The INI has established a Presidential Fellowship, which will provide a $50,000 scholarship to one incoming INI student each year. Eligibility is merit-based and a candidate will be selected during the application review process. The admitted applicant who receives this fellowship will ideally join the INI with a strong record of academic and personal achievements and high potential. This person will be selected by the Director of the INI to receive this award.

Joyce Brocaglia - Executive Women's Forum Endowed Fellowship 

Established in honor of the CEO of Alta Associates and founder of the Executive Women's Forum (EWF), the Joyce Brocaglia-EWF Endowed Fellowship in the Information Networking Institute (INI) seeks to provide support to INI graduate students. For more information regarding the EWF and the Joyce Brocaglia - Executive Women's Forum Fellowship, please visit their website. 

The Prabhu and Poonam Goel Graduate Fellowship 

The Prabhu and Poonam Goel Graduate Fellowship is awarded to two incoming students each year – one student in the MSIN program and one student in the MSIS program. Please note: Scholarship for Service students and government/company-sponsored students are not eligible.

Scholarships 

The CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service Program (SFS) 

Incoming students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying information security may be eligible to participate in the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, which provides full financial assistance to a few highly qualified applicants each year who express an interest, are enrolled in the INI’s M.S. in Information Security (MSIS) program, and who satisfy all the requirements. Students can indicate an interest in being considered for funding on their admissions application. Students should also complete the request for funding form, selecting SFS as an option, and complete an essay highlighting their interest and why they should be considered for the program. If they have been admitted to the MSIS program and completed the requirements, candidates will be contacted directly with further information, deadlines, and instructions on the final steps of the application process. Learn more

Cyber Scholarship Program (CySP) – DoD Cyber Exchange

Sponsored by the DoD Chief Information Office and administered by the National Security Agency (NSA), the DoD CySP program at CMU seeks to enhance a technical education in computer systems and security through research and development opportunities that cultivate expertise in securing data, networks, systems, and services. Students can indicate an interest in being considered for funding on their admissions application and will be notified if eligible. All eligible students admitted to the INI will be contacted directly, via email, with DoD CySP application information, deadlines and instructions.  Learn More

Fellows Program

rales fellowship program (Fall Admission Only)

The CMU Rales Fellows Program is a distinctive and transformative program dedicated to developing a diverse community of exceptionally talented national STEM leaders from underrepresented or underresourced backgrounds by eliminating cost as a barrier to graduate education. The CMU Rales Fellows Program provides students with full tuition as well as a stipend to cover living expenses, housing and health insurance. Learn More

Current Students

Teaching & Research assistanships (TA/RA)

INI has a limited number of TA positions each semester. Eligible INI students can apply for these positions. If selected as a TA, students are compensated bi-weekly based on a set hourly rate. INI students can apply for TA positions in other departments on campus as well. In these cases, students need to follow the application and hiring process of the offering department. Some INI students work as RAs for faculty within the INI and across campus. These positions follow a similar process.

Conference Funding 

Student CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS

The INI offers eligible current students the opportunity to apply for conference funding in the form of departmental scholarships. Eligibility requirements are outlined in the INI Student Handbook. The INI shares details on how to apply with all INI students throughout the academic year. Note: funding availability varies from year-to-year. 

GRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE FUNDING 

G.S.A. Graduate Student Conference Funding is financed by the Graduate Student Assembly, in collaboration with the Graduate Support Programs Office and the Provost’s Office. The goal of the funding is to enable more Carnegie Mellon graduate students to make presentations at key conferences/exhibitions in their fields or simply attend conferences and learn about the broader field of study to which they belong. The INI will consider matching the awarded amount up to $500 per student subject to availability of funds. Funding for these matching awards is not guaranteed and is limited. Learn more

Graduating Students

Awards

Recipients of the following awards are nominated by faculty. Nominations are reviewed by an award committee and awards are presented at the INI Graduation Ceremony. 

THE INI LEADERSHIP AWARD 

This award honors a graduating INI student who has most noticeably demonstrated initiative, motivation, academic excellence and overall outstanding leadership qualities. The student should also have demonstrated the ability to balance their scholarship with their leadership and involvement. The award recipient receives an engraved award and a monetary honorarium.

THE INNOCENT HABIYAREMYE MEMORIAL AWARD 

This award honors a graduating INI student who embodies a sense of community spirit in their everyday actions. This award is given in memory of Innocent Habiyaremye, an MS20 INI alumnus who inspired others through his kindness and volunteer activities.The award recipient receives an engraved award and a monetary honorarium. Make a Donation

OUTSTANDING STUDENT SERVICES AWARD: RESEARCH ASSISTANT 

This award is intended to recognize a graduating INI student who has demonstrated exemplary performance and contribution as a Research Assistant. The award recipient receives an engraved award and a monetary honorarium.

OUTSTANDING STUDENT SERVICES AWARD: TEACHING ASSISTANT 

This award is intended to recognize a graduating INI student who has demonstrated exemplary performance and contribution as a Teaching Assistant. The award recipient receives an engraved award and a monetary honorarium.