A variety of resources are available to help you make your graduate school experience more affordable, including funding opportunities specific to the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
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O’Neill Funding Resources
Current master’s students can apply to a variety of O’Neill-specific fellowships and research grants. Unless specified otherwise, fellowships are for students on the IU Bloomington campus.
O’Neill Fellowships for continuing students
These fellowships are for current O’Neill School students who will be continuing their program the next 2025-26 academic year. If you have any questions regarding O’Neill fellowship awards contact oneilsch@iu.edu.
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*The O’Neill Awards Committee has the right to change all award amounts and number of awards at its discretion. Award amounts and award numbers may vary from the current listing.
Established as a tribute to Professor Emeritus Willard to recognize a student who best embodies Professor Willard's dedication and commitment to wetlands research.
Eligibility:
- Graduate student
- Demonstrated commitment to wetlands research
- High academic standing
- Strong interest in a career in public service or the not-for-profit sector
- The fellowship will be used to continue efforts to enhance the School's research efforts at the outdoors environmental education center on Lake Monroe
Jesse Devitte Endowed Scholarship/Fellowship Fund
Eligibility:
- O'Neill undergraduate or graduate student
- Student must be a parent
- Student must have demonstrated financial need
This award was established by the donor to honor her grandparents Donald ("Bill") B and Anna Josephine Routt.
Eligibility:
- O'Neill undergraduate or graduate student
- Preference for a student who is an Indiana resident
- Demonstrated both merit and financial need
- Majoring in Law and Public Policy, Public Financial Management, Public Management and Leadership, Community and Economic Development, or Public Management with a focus on a career in Indiana state government
Fellowships for second-year Masters of Public Affairs students who have declared a concentration in public management in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs on the Bloomington campus. The purpose of this Fellowship is to improve public management in the United States, the recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Recipients must be nominated in a brief letter by a SPEA faculty member who instructed the student in the required MPA core course or in a core course in the Public Management concentration. Recipients will be selected based on academic achievement according to the student's performance in public management courses undertaken at SPEA Bloomington during the first year of graduate study.
Eligibility:
- Second-year masters students with declared concentration in Public Management at O'Neill IUB
- Recipients must be US citizens or permanent residents
- Must be nominated in a brief letter by a O'Neill faculty member who instructed the student in the required MPA core course or in a core course in the Public Management concentration
- Recipients will be selected based on academic achievement according to the student's performance in public management courses undertaken at O'Neill School Bloomington during the first year of graduate study
This fellowship, funded by friends and family of McDavid was established to honor the memory of O'Neill graduate Eileen McDavid.
Eligibility:
- Second-year Master of Public Affairs (MPA) students (in the upcoming academic year)
- Factors such as academic achievement and personal need may also be used as criteria
Fellowships for graduate students in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs who are pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Science or this degree combined with another degree.
Eligibility:
- Must be graduate students in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Science or this degree combined with another degree
- Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Financial need - FASFA required
- The Fellowship may be renewed but the recipient must reapply.
This award supports O'Neill graduate students majoring in public finance administration.
Eligibility:
- O'Neill graduate student
- United States citizen
- Public finance administration concentration
- Preference given to students expressing a high degree of interest in pursuing a career in the public sector
Established as a tribute to Senator Bob Dole, friend and mentor of O'Neill alumnus Jesse Devitte. The scholarship honors Dole, who was disabled during World War II, by supporting a student with a physical disability.
Eligibility:
- Preference for O'Neill School student with a physical disability
- Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to financially challenged students, and/or students with diverse cultural experiences
A fellowship for a residential second year Master's student with a concentration in public financial administration in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs on the Bloomington campus who has a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and demonstrates great promise as a future contributor to the public financial administration profession as determined by the Fellowship Committee of the School. Scholarship is not renewable.
Eligibility:
- Residential second year Master's student with a concentration in public financial administration in the O'Neill School on the Bloomington campus
- Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Demonstrates great promise as a future contributor to the
public financial administration profession as determined by the Fellowship Committee of the School
Established by John S. (Jack) Merritt, an alumnus and long-time member of the O'Neill School staff who held a variety of positions over a period of 25 years. In honor of his commitment to O'Neill, he created a Fellowship to assist O'Neill's graduate students.
Eligibility:
- O'Neill graduate student
Supports graduate and undergraduate students; recommended with demonstrated academic success, public and community service, and extracurricular activities.
Eligibility:
- Current O'Neill School undergraduate or graduate student; recommended with demonstrated academic success, public and community service, and extracurricular activities.
The donors believe that a diverse student body enhances the education of all students. This award was established to support undergraduate and graduate SPEA students from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, including first generation college students, international students, and students from underrepresented minorities.
Eligibility:
- O'Neill undergraduate or graduate student from Bloomington or Indianapolis campus
- First generation college student, international student, and/or student from underrepresented minorities
Support of two annual scholarships, as funds allow, for juniors, seniors, and/or first or second year Master's students in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Recipients who are juniors, seniors, or second year Master's students must be current members of Students for Equity in Public Affairs ("SEPA"). Applicants must write an essay displaying their activism, research, and experience in diversity, equity and inclusion work. Each Scholarship will be a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $1,000. The Scholarship is not renewable.
Eligibility:
- Students who are juniors, seniors, and/or first or second year Master's students in the O'Neill School
- Must be a current member of Students for Equity in Public Affairs (SEPA)
- Must write an essay (300-500 words) displaying their activism, research, and experience in diversity, equity and inclusion work.
Scholarships for undergraduate or graduate students in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs who have demonstrated financial need.
Eligibility:
- Undergraduate or graduate students in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs who have demonstrated financial need
- International students will be eligible to receive the scholarship
- Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to financially challenged students, and/or students with diverse cultural experiences
- Preference for first generation Hispanic female students, and, where possible, with any connections to Colombia
Established by the family of Ambassador Frowick in honor of his exemplary service as a foreign diplomat, efforts to promote democracy in Eastern Europe, and dedication and commitment to making a difference in the world.
Eligibility:
- Graduate student born in the Midwestern states of Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota
- Full-time MPA student with a concentration in Policy Analysis or International Development
- Minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
- Working part time to help pay for their education. Must attach documentation to provide proof of employment. A check stub or official letter from student's employer will be required.
- Preference is given to a student who is not affiliated with a national Greek fraternity or sorority organization
- Preference given to a student who has demonstrated an interest and inclination in serving in some capacity in the Foreign Service
- The family requests that the recipient recognizes the international political endeavors and contributions of Robert H. Frowick by familiarizing themselves with his life's achievements through writings, speeches, and other documentation on file.
Fellowships for graduate students pursuing master's degrees in the O'Neill School who plan to work in the federal government after graduation. Online students are eligible to receive the Fellowship. First preference will be given to students employed as a civil servant at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane. Second preference will be given to students pursuing a MPA with a concentration in Information Systems. Third preference will be given to students pursuing a MPA with a concentration in Policy Analysis. The award may be renewed provided the recipient(s) maintain(s) a minimum GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
Eligibility:
- Graduate student pursuing master's degree in the O'Neill School who plans to work in the federal government after graduation
- Online students are eligible
- First preference will be given to students employed as a civil servant at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane
- Second preference will be given to students pursuing a MPA with a concentration in Information Systems
- Third preference will be given to students pursuing a MPA with a concentration in Policy Analysis
- May be renewed provided the recipient(s) maintain(s) a minimum GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale
Established in memory of Scott Chilcote, a B.S. Environmental Management graduate and joint MPA-MSES student, whose dedication to O'Neill and joy of life continue to serve as an inspiration to all who knew him.
Eligibility:
- Undergraduate or MSES or joint MPA-MSES students in O'Neill School
- Demonstrated leadership potential
- Dedication to the environment, O'Neill, and Indiana University
- Strong preference given to nontraditional and/or working students
Support for graduate students in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs who are pursuing a Master of Science or a Ph.D. in Environmental Science.
Eligibility:
-Graduate students in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs who are pursuing a Master of Science or a Ph.D. in Environmental Science
Established by friends and family of Steven Eisenach, MPA'80, to honor his memory.
Eligibility:
- Master of Public Affairs (MPA) student
- Demonstrated financial need
- Demonstrated academic merit