Dartmouth Postgraduate Project Fellowships 2027, USA (Funding Up to $25,000) | Dartmouth College | Brilliant Scholarship
Open
Dartmouth Postgraduate Project Fellowships 2027, USA (Funding Up to $25,000)
Funding of $5,000-$25,000 for graduating Dartmouth seniors and recent alumni to pursue independent research, creative, or travel projects after graduation.
Dartmouth College
Overview
Graduating Dartmouth seniors and recent Dartmouth alumni who want to pursue an ambitious independent project rather than heading straight into a graduate degree program have a distinctive funding option in the Dartmouth Postgraduate Project Fellowships 2027. Offered by Dartmouth College, these fellowships provide funding, generally ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, for independent research, creative projects, and selected international travel undertaken after completing an undergraduate degree at Dartmouth. Unlike a scholarship intended to pay for a master's or PhD, this program supports self-directed work shaped entirely by the applicant's own interests and goals, whether that means months of fieldwork abroad, a sustained creative project, or an independent research investigation. For Dartmouth graduates weighing their options immediately after commencement, this fellowship offers a genuine alternative to entering a graduate program right away.
Scholarship Details
Successful applicants can generally expect funding between $5,000 and $25,000, with the exact amount depending on the specific project and which Dartmouth fellowship fund ultimately supports it. Applicants should not assume the fellowship will cover every cost associated with their proposed project; a detailed and realistic budget is therefore a central part of a strong application, explaining exactly what the project will cost, what the requested funding will cover, and whether the applicant will need additional financial resources beyond the fellowship itself. Financial need may also factor into the selection process. Projects can be based in the United States or conducted internationally, and depending on their length and nature, applicants may be considered for different funding sources within Dartmouth's fellowship system. For projects lasting roughly one to nine months, the Dartmouth General Fellowship offers flexible support for a wide range of independent research and creative work, provided the proposed activity meets fellowship requirements. Longer projects, particularly those lasting approximately nine to twelve months overseas, may instead be considered for more specialized funding streams such as Reynolds or H. Allen Brooks funding, depending on the nature of the proposal; the H. Allen Brooks Travelling Fellowship in particular is a specialized award supporting international travel and intellectual exploration connected to fields such as architecture, urban planning, land conservation, historic preservation, and related historical disciplines. Applicants generally do not select which specific Dartmouth endowment finances their award; instead, the fellowship selection process determines the appropriate funding source based on the proposed project and the applicable criteria for each fund.
Eligibility Requirements
The defining eligibility requirement for this fellowship is a direct connection to Dartmouth as an undergraduate institution, rather than any broader academic credential. Eligible applicants are graduating Dartmouth seniors, or Dartmouth undergraduate alumni who graduated within the previous five years; graduates of other universities cannot apply simply because they are planning a similar postgraduate research or creative project, since Dartmouth affiliation as an undergraduate is a strict prerequisite. Beyond this core requirement, applicants need to propose an independent research, creative, or other eligible project with a clearly defined purpose and expected outcome, supported by a realistic project budget and a clear explanation of how the project will actually be carried out. Applicants should also be prepared to meet any additional requirements tied to the specific Dartmouth fellowship fund that ultimately supports their project, since individual funding streams, such as the H. Allen Brooks Travelling Fellowship, can carry their own additional eligibility conditions beyond the general fellowship requirements. It is equally important to understand what this fellowship explicitly does not fund: it cannot be used to finance a master's degree, a PhD program, graduate-school tuition, postdoctoral study, a dissertation, or any project undertaken as part of formal graduate degree work. The proposed activity must be a genuinely independent project rather than coursework or research tied to an existing graduate program, and Dartmouth maintains separate fellowship opportunities specifically for students seeking funding for graduate study. Finally, Dartmouth gives preference to candidates who have not previously received Dartmouth postgraduate funding, and previous Brooks or Reynolds recipients may be subject to additional restrictions if they wish to apply again.
Fields of Study & Programs
Because this fellowship supports independent projects rather than enrollment in a specific academic program, it is described as open to all subjects, with the scope of eligible projects defined by the nature of the proposed work rather than a fixed list of disciplines. That said, certain specialized funding streams within the broader fellowship program have narrower thematic focuses; the H. Allen Brooks Travelling Fellowship, for instance, is specifically oriented toward applicants pursuing interests connected with architecture, urban planning, land conservation, historic preservation, architectural history, urban history, and art history. Applicants proposing projects in these specific areas, particularly those involving significant international travel, may be considered for this specialized funding source in addition to, or instead of, the more general Dartmouth General Fellowship, depending on project length and fit.
Participating Universities
This fellowship is offered exclusively by Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, and is available only to Dartmouth's own graduating seniors and recent undergraduate alumni. Dartmouth is a member of the Ivy League and is particularly known for its strong undergraduate liberal arts focus alongside notable strength in specific graduate and professional fields. Because this fellowship funds independent postgraduate projects rather than enrollment in any degree program, participating 'universities' in the conventional sense are not applicable; instead, the relevant institutional relationship is the applicant's prior undergraduate connection to Dartmouth itself, which forms the entire basis of eligibility for this particular funding.
How to Apply
The application process begins with confirming basic Dartmouth eligibility, meaning applicants should determine whether they qualify as a graduating Dartmouth senior or as a Dartmouth undergraduate alumnus or alumna who graduated within the previous five years. From there, the core of the application is developing the project itself: a detailed plan explaining what the applicant wants to research, create, investigate, document, or explore, substantial enough to justify meaningful fellowship funding rather than a vague plan to travel or spend time abroad. Applicants next need to determine the location and duration of their proposed project, deciding whether the work will take place in the United States or overseas and roughly how long it will take, since both factors can influence which specific Dartmouth funding source may ultimately be appropriate. The written project proposal should clearly explain what the applicant plans to do, why the project matters, where it will take place, how it will be completed, what the applicant expects to achieve, and why the project is appropriate for postgraduate fellowship support specifically rather than another form of funding. Alongside the proposal, applicants must prepare a detailed and realistic budget, explaining exactly how the requested fellowship funding will be used and identifying any additional resources that may be necessary to complete the project as planned. The completed application, including the project proposal and budget, is submitted through Dartmouth's online fellowship system, with Dartmouth stating that applications are generally due April 1 each year; students planning a project for the 2027-28 academic period should prepare for the April 1, 2027 deadline while continuing to check Dartmouth's fellowship portal for any subsequent changes to this date. Once submitted, applications go through Dartmouth's fellowship review process, where the Committee on Graduate Fellowships selects recipients and determines the appropriate funding source, whether the Dartmouth General Fellowship or a more specialized stream such as Reynolds or H. Allen Brooks funding, based on the fellowship rules and the specific project proposed.
Deadlines & Important Dates
Dartmouth applications for these postgraduate project fellowships are generally due on April 1 each year. Students planning a project for the 2027-28 academic period should therefore prepare to meet the April 1, 2027 deadline, while continuing to check Dartmouth's official fellowship portal in case this date is adjusted for the upcoming cycle. Given the level of detail required in both the project proposal and the accompanying budget, applicants should treat the months leading up to this deadline as genuine preparation time rather than something to be finalized at the last moment, particularly for projects involving international travel or specialized funding streams like the H. Allen Brooks Travelling Fellowship, which may carry additional planning requirements.
Life as a Scholar
Because these fellowships fund independent projects rather than structured coursework or a formal academic program, the experience of a Dartmouth postgraduate fellow varies enormously depending on the nature of the individual project. A recipient pursuing overseas research connected to architecture or historic preservation, for instance, might spend months traveling and documenting sites relevant to their proposed work, while a recipient pursuing a creative project in the United States might spend a comparable period developing and completing an independent body of work closer to home. What unites recipients is a shared structure: a defined project, a dedicated period of independent work lasting roughly one month to one year, and a level of financial support intended to make that period of focused, self-directed work possible immediately after undergraduate study. Because the fellowship is explicitly not tied to graduate coursework, recipients generally operate with a high degree of independence throughout their project, without the structured supervision typical of a formal degree program, which can be both a significant opportunity and a real responsibility for recent graduates managing a substantial project largely on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this fellowship fund a master's or PhD program? No. It explicitly cannot be used for a master's degree, PhD program, graduate-school tuition, postdoctoral study, or a dissertation.
Who is eligible to apply? Graduating Dartmouth seniors and Dartmouth undergraduate alumni who graduated within the previous five years; graduates of other universities are not eligible.
How much funding is available? Generally between $5,000 and $25,000, depending on the specific project and the applicable Dartmouth fellowship fund.
Can I choose which Dartmouth fund supports my project? No. The fellowship selection process determines the appropriate funding source, such as the Dartmouth General Fellowship or Reynolds or H. Allen Brooks funding, based on the proposed project.
Does the fellowship cover the full cost of my project? Not necessarily. A detailed, realistic budget is important, since the award may not cover every expense associated with the project.
When is the application deadline? Dartmouth applications are generally due April 1 each year; for the 2027-28 period, applicants should prepare for the April 1, 2027 deadline.
Final Thoughts
The Dartmouth Postgraduate Project Fellowships 2027 offer graduating seniors and recent alumni a genuinely flexible way to pursue a substantial independent project immediately after undergraduate study, rather than defaulting straight into graduate school. The strongest applications come from candidates who treat the proposal seriously well before the April 1, 2027 deadline, developing a clearly defined project, a realistic budget, and a convincing explanation of why the work matters and how it will be completed.
Award Amount
Approximately $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the project and the applicable Dartmouth fellowship fund
Payment: One-time
Deadline
2027-04-01
Dartmouth applications are due April 1 each year; students planning a project for the 2027-28 period should prepare for the April 1, 2027 deadline while checking the fellowship portal for any changes.
Duration
Approximately 1 month to 1 year, depending on the project and applicable Dartmouth fellowship fund (e.g. Dartmouth General Fellowship for 1-9 month projects; Reynolds or H. Allen Brooks funding for approximately 9-12 month overseas projects).
Renewable
No
About This Scholarship
The Dartmouth Postgraduate Project Fellowships 2027 provide funding of approximately $5,000 to $25,000 for graduating Dartmouth seniors and recent Dartmouth undergraduate alumni (graduated within the previous five years) to undertake independent research, creative, or eligible international travel projects lasting roughly one month to one year, in the United States or overseas. Unlike traditional postgraduate scholarships, this funding cannot be used for a master's degree, PhD program, graduate-school tuition, postdoctoral study, or a dissertation; it is intended for a self-directed project undertaken after completing undergraduate study. Depending on project length and nature, applicants may be considered for the Dartmouth General Fellowship (roughly one to nine months) or more specialized funding streams such as Reynolds or H. Allen Brooks funding for approximately nine-to-twelve-month overseas projects, with the H. Allen Brooks Travelling Fellowship specifically supporting international travel and intellectual exploration connected to architecture, urban planning, land conservation, historic preservation, architectural history, urban history, or art history. Applicants do not choose which specific Dartmouth endowment funds their award; this is determined by Dartmouth's Committee on Graduate Fellowships based on the proposed project. A detailed, realistic project budget is an important part of the application, since the fellowship may not cover every expense and financial need may be considered in selection. Dartmouth applications are due April 1 each year, and students planning a project for the 2027-28 period should prepare for the April 1, 2027 deadline. Preference is given to candidates who have not previously received Dartmouth postgraduate funding.
Fields of Study
ArchitectureUrban PlanningLand ConservationHistoric PreservationArchitectural HistoryUrban HistoryArt History
Available Countries
United States
Eligibility Requirements
Graduating Dartmouth senior, or Dartmouth undergraduate alumnus/alumna who graduated within the previous five years
Proposes an independent research, creative, or other eligible project with a clearly defined purpose and expected outcome
Provides a realistic project budget
Explains how the proposed project will be carried out
Meets any additional requirements associated with the applicable Dartmouth fellowship fund
Not eligible for funding toward a master's degree, PhD program, graduate-school tuition, postdoctoral study, dissertation, or graduate degree project
Academic Requirements
Application Process
1Confirm Dartmouth eligibility as a graduating senior or alumnus/alumna within the previous five years
2Develop a detailed, substantial independent project plan (research, creative, or eligible travel project)
3Determine the project's location (United States or overseas) and expected duration
4Prepare a project proposal explaining what will be done, why it matters, where it will take place, how it will be completed, and expected outcomes
5Prepare a detailed, realistic budget showing how fellowship funding will be used and identifying any additional resources needed
6Submit the online application through Dartmouth's fellowship system by April 1
7Application reviewed by Dartmouth's Committee on Graduate Fellowships, which selects recipients and determines the appropriate funding source
Partner Universities
Dartmouth College
Hanover, United States
About the AuthorActive ApplicantUniversity Graduate
I'm a university graduate currently navigating the world of scholarship applications. I run this blog as an active, personal database of opportunities I'm researching — every listing here is one I've evaluated myself. My goal is to help fellow students cut through the noise and find funding that actually fits their profile.
📚 Researched & curated by a current applicant · Updated regularly
Preference given to candidates who have not previously received Dartmouth postgraduate funding; previous Brooks or Reynolds recipients may face additional restrictions on reapplying