Graduate Funding Opportunities

Alberta Sbragia Graduate Fellowship in European Studies

Deadline

Applications due by February 13, 2026; all applications must be submitted 30 days before the planned event or travel. The application process is as follows:

  • Complete and submit an application (TBD)
  • Upload a detailed budget listing all estimated expenses.
  • Upload a written proposal of no more than five double-spaced pages. In the text of the proposal, please include a section addressing precisely how the funds will be used.
  • Upload a copy of the IRB approval documentation (if applicable).

About the Opportunity

Established in 2011, the Alberta Sbragia Fund for Graduate European Studies is a living memorial to honor Professor Alberta Sbragia, founding Director of the European Studies Center, and her commitment to education and mentoring of young scholars.

Eligibility

Open to PhD students at the University of Pittsburgh for dissertation assistance, research or publication support, or travel for research in relevant European countries.

Funding

Awards range from $1,500 to $2,000. Applicants are encouraged to show efforts to secure matching funds from their department, school, or other external sources.

More Information

Please consult the Pre and Post Award Guidelines before applying for information on how funds may be used and the grant and reporting obligations. For questions on eligibility or for further information, please contact Erica Edwards, Associate Director.

Small Grants (Graduate Students)

Deadline

Applications due by February 13, 2026; all applications must be submitted 30 days before the planned event or travel. The application process is as follows:

  • Complete and submit an application (TBD)
  • Upload a detailed budget listing all estimated expenses.
  • Upload a written proposal of no more than five double-spaced pages. In the text of the proposal, please include a section addressing precisely how the funds will be used.

Purpose

Small Grants provide support to graduate students for conference travel. Awards are also available for events and presentations that align with the European Studies Center’s mission and research priorities. We consider requests for modest funding for events held on any of Pitt's campuses. This funding can also be applied to support visitors participating in these events.

These awards are meant to supplement departmental or other funding. If an award is granted, the ESC requests that the Center be acknowledged as a co-sponsor of any lecture or activity that receives funding. The ESC will also help publicize such co-sponsored events to students, faculty, and community members.

Eligibility

Awards are available to Pitt graduate students only.

Funding

Awards range from $300 (domestic travel) to $500 (foreign travel). Applicants must show efforts to secure matching funds from their department, school, or other external sources. Awards are available on a rolling basis, with one half of the funds available for successful applications submitted during the first half of the University’s fiscal year (July – December) and the other half available for applications submitted during the second half of the fiscal year (January – June). Applicants submitting proposals after all the funds earmarked for a given 6-month period have been spent will be offered the opportunity to resubmit during the next 6-month period.

More Information

Please consult the Pre and Post Award Guidelines before applying for information on how funds may be used and the grant and reporting obligations. For questions on eligibility or for further information, please contact Erica Edwards, Associate Director.

Spring or Summer Graduate Student Professional Development Grants

Deadline

Applications due by February 13, 2026; all applications must be submitted 30 days before the planned event or travel.

  • Complete and submit an application (TBD).
  • Upload a detailed budget listing all estimated expenses.
  • Upload a written proposal of no more than five double-spaced pages. In the text of the proposal, please include a section addressing precisely how the funds will be used.
  • Upload a copy of the IRB approval documentation (if applicable).

About the Opportunity

Professional Development Grants provide funding to graduate students who are presenting papers at a conference or participating in other professional development opportunities. The funds are designed to help students develop skills germane to their interests (research or teaching) related to Europe or to explore international careers. Examples of eligible projects include (but are not limited to) presenting a paper at a professional conference, commissioning a survey, taking a methods course, enrolling in a digital humanities course, or an internship abroad (funds can be used towards living or travel expenses to help make the internship possible).

Eligibility

Awards are available to Pitt graduate students advancing their research interests in European studies.

Funding

Awards range from $500 to $700. Applicants are encouraged to show efforts to secure matching funds from their department, school, or other external sources.

More Information

Please consult the Pre and Post Award Guidelines before applying for information on how funds may be used and the grant and reporting obligations. For questions on eligibility or for further information, please contact Steve Lund, Assistant Director, or Erica Edwards, Associate Director.