WMU Department of Sociology: Leonard and Dorotha Kercher Graduate Fellowship Grant

WMU Department of Sociology: Leonard and Dorotha Kercher Graduate Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Western Michigan University
Amount: More than US $100,000
Last Updated: October 15, 2025

Summary

The Leonard and Dorotha Kercher Graduate Fellowship at Western Michigan University offers a prestigious funding opportunity for graduate students in sociology. This highly competitive fellowship, available once every five years, provides substantial financial support exceeding $100,000 without service obligations. It is designed for master's or doctoral students, ensuring full tuition remission and five years of full-time support, including summer sessions. This initiative aims to enhance academic growth and reduce financial burdens for dedicated students.

Overview

Graduate Funding The Department of Sociology and Western Michigan University endeavors to provide qualified graduate students with competitive awards and opportunities. Working for pay outside the University and acquiring student loans are the most obvious ways to acquire support for your graduate studies, but they are not always the most advisable in terms of financial health and intellectual enrichment. In addition to the funding opportunities discussed below, further information is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid. Financial support through the department or the Graduate College include: Assistantships (requires some service). The department has approximately 15 graduate students on assistantships and many more receive other forms of support. The department provides assistantship support for up to two years for master's degree students and up to another three years for doctoral degree students. Funding from outside the department does not count against the time limits.Fellowships (no service obligation).Supplemental sources for the support of graduate student research and professional travel (see below). Leonard and Dorotha Kercher Graduate Fellowship Named after the founder of the department and his wife, this highly competitive fellowship is for master's or doctoral students once every five years. No service obligation.Only one is available at a time.Worth well over $100,000.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Good for up to five years of full-time graduate support, including one summer session annually, at the highest level the department offers.Includes full tuition remission.