The Graduate School actively recruits students who are and have been traditionally underrepresented in graduate education, including but not limited to underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities. The associate dean for diversity initiatives works in partnership with individual departments and programs at Brown and cultivates relationships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
Mae Williamson Simmons Fellowships
The Graduate School offers fellowships to assist in the recruitment, enrollment, and retention of students in doctoral programs who will contribute to the diversity of the graduate student body. Mae Williamson Simmons Fellowships provide a higher level of stipend support funding for three years and a one-time $1,000 research fund. The fellowships are named after Mae Belle Williamson Simmons, who earned her Ph.D. in psychology from Brown in 1962 — the earliest known Black woman to earn her doctoral degree from the University.
Recruiting
The Graduate School works closely with the Leadership Alliance to identify potential graduate program applicants among the pool of undergraduate students who are conducting research at Brown for eight weeks during the summer. Similarly, the Graduate School works in close partnership with students from Tougaloo College who spend time at Brown throughout the year while participating in various aspects of Brown-Tougaloo Partnership programming. The Graduate School also recruits at various annual meetings and conferences around the country.
Doctoral Preview Day 2024
The Graduate School provides prospective students the opportunity to visit Brown’s campus in Providence, Rhode Island, and to learn about what our graduate programs have to offer through the Brown Graduate School Doctoral Preview Day. This year the event will take place on October 20-21, 2024, and will have representatives from departments & programs in STEM (Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Public Health, and Physical Sciences) and the Humanities/Social Sciences. Participants will have access to admissions sessions, student panels, and department-specific meetings with our faculty.
This is an application-based opportunity intended for aspiring graduate students, but those expected to enroll in graduate school by Fall 2025 are especially encouraged to apply. Additionally, limited travel and housing supplements are available for this day-and-a-half experience. Students interested in a Ph.D. who want to hear about what Brown has to offer are encouraged to apply! To complete the application, please proceed to fill out the corresponding form to your discipline of choice found here below:
Eligibility: This program is intended for prospective students, specifically domestic students, currently residing in the United States & Territories with an interest in pursuing a Ph.D. in the upcoming Fall 2024 application cycle. Open to all scholars, this program may be of special interest to prospective graduate students of color and/or scholars who display distinguished commitment and promise to enhance Brown's commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of University life — recognizing that these values are essential to carry out Brown’s mission of education and research with excellence.
This application will close on August 1, 2024.
For more information or any questions, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team through email at graduate_diversity@brown.edu.