Funding

Non-service fellowships provide students with a stipend that is disbursed regularly throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. Incoming students are assigned non-service fellowships based on availability of funds, and continuing students may petition for fellowship support in future years. Students typically use the flexibility of their non-service fellowship support to complete coursework, participate in exchanges, and to carry out dissertation research — domestically or abroad.

Our current fellowship package includes a $26,000 stipend, a full tuition waiver (up to 14 credits), and department-paid health insurance premiums. All graduate student fellows also have access to shared departmental resources, including office space, access to supplies, and copying privileges. As students, they also receive University-wide resources, including email, use of the University of Minnesota Library system, access to academic and career support centers, and much more.

Teaching Assistantships (TAs) — also known as Graduate Assistantships (GAs) or Graduate Instructors (GIs) — provide students with a regular stipend through employment. FRIT teaching assistants are responsible for one section per semester in the lower-division language program, which is equivalent to a 50% appointment (20 hours per week). TAs typically begin teaching first-semester French (FREN 1001) and work up to teaching higher levels including fourth-semester French (FREN 1004) and beyond. 

Teaching Assistantships are employment by the University, with representation by the UMN Graduate Labor Union – United Electrical. The pay rate for a teaching assistant in the 2026–2027 academic year is $29.95 per hour, or approximately $23,000 total for the academic year. Along with this stipend, students receive a tuition waiver (up to 14 credits) for double their employment percentage (i.e., 100% tuition waiver for 50% appointments). Health insurance is also paid for by the department according to double the employment percentage, and after a one-time premium payment by the student at the start of each semester. As employees, graduate students have access to shared departmental resources, including office space, access to supplies, and copying privileges. As students, they also receive University-wide resources, including email, use of the University of Minnesota Library system, access to academic and career support centers, and much more.

Research Assistantships provide students with a regular salary through employment. FRIT research assistants undertake a project under the supervision of a faculty member, typically within a topic of mutual interest. This may include editorial work, bibliographical or original research, transcriptions, and more. Research Assistantships may not always be available at the employment percentage with maximum benefits (i.e., a 50% appointment); however, Research Assistantships may be combined with other forms of support, such as fellowships or teaching assistantships, to provide the comprehensive support promised to students. This form of support is typically announced and applied for by graduate assistants as opportunities and funding align.

Research Assistantships are employment by the University, with representation by the UMN Graduate Labor Union – United Electrical. The pay rate for a research assistant in the 2026–2027 academic year is $29.95 per hour, or approximately $23,000 total for the academic year. Along with this stipend, students receive a tuition waiver (up to 14 credits) for double their employment percentage (i.e., 100% tuition waiver for 50% appointments). Health insurance is also paid for by the department according to double the employment percentage, and after a one-time premium payment by the student at the start of each semester. As employees, graduate students have access to shared departmental resources, including office space, access to supplies, and copying privileges. As students, they also receive University-wide resources, including email, use of the University of Minnesota Library system, access to academic and career support centers, and much more.

Summer Support

During their first summer in the program, the department guarantees graduate students at least $6,000 in summer support through a non-service fellowship, administrative fellowship, or an instructional appointment, typically dispersed in the late spring semester. In subsequent summers, students are strongly encouraged to explore additional opportunities for summer support outside of the department. Internal summer support is available with application, subject to the availability of funds. All of our students have been successful in securing summer support within and outside of the department during their time in the program.

Summer TAPIF Fellowships

Graduate students may request up to $1,000 in travel funding per fiscal year, up to a maximum of $4,000 during their graduate career in FRIT. These funds are typically reserved for PhD students, and may be used to present research at a conference, to engage in dissertation-related research, or to attend a conference related to their discipline.  

Departmental Awards

FRIT offers nominal awards available to graduate students each year via faculty nomination, starting at $100. These awards are meant to recognize exceptional efforts undertaken by graduate students. Current awards offered include the Essay Award and Citizenship Award.

Montpellier Exchange

FRIT currently hosts an academic year exchange with Paul-Valéry University (UPV) in Montpellier, France available to advanced-status PhD students. Students on exchange with Montpellier are primarily supported by a Graduate Assistantship offered at UPV, as well as the Montpellier Exchange Award ($1500) offered by FRIT to support the transition to France.

Career Diversification Internships

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The department provides support for graduate students to take advantage of internships on or off campus and encourages them to explore the range of opportunities available for individuals with advanced humanities education, from academic support areas to the non-profit and private sectors. 

The University of Minnesota has various prestigious and competitive funding opportunities for graduate students. Oftentimes requiring department nomination, our faculty work closely with students to create successful applications. Below is a list of common fellowships and opportunities our graduate students apply for and have won. For more opportunities, you can review the University of Minnesota's Graduate School fellowship page as well as the College of Liberal Arts fellowship page.

• Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF)
  • ​​​​​​​University-wide competition for students in the final stages of dissertation writing. Requires department nomination and provides an academic year of support.
  • Students who are nominated for the DDF but are not awarded are automatically nominated for a 1-semester award offered by the College of Liberal Arts.
• Diversity of Views and Experience Fellowships (DOVE)
  • The DOVE program assists departments in recruiting and retaining US citizens underrepresented in graduate study, providing an academic year of support during their first year in the program. Applicants are nominated by the department for this fellowship upon admission and will be asked to provide two supplemental statements explaining how their background, experiences, and achievements will contribute to the University's goal of promoting excellence through diversity. 
• Harold Leonard Memorial Fellowship in Film Study
  • ​​​​​​​This fellowship provides an academic year of support for students working in cinema and visual culture.
• Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship
  • University-wide competition for mid-career PhD students to study with faculty at one of the University’s interdisciplinary research centers or institutes.

There are various organizations external to the University of Minnesota that support French Studies. In most cases, our faculty are familiar with these application cycles and processes, and are available to help their students prepare their own applications.

• Fulbright Grants
  • ​​​​​​​For independent study and dissertation research abroad in various countries
• Modern Language Association (MLA) Fellowships, Grants, and Awards
  • The MLA provides various grant and fellowship opportunities for graduate students through research or professional development initiatives.
• Bourse Chateaubriand en sciences sociales et littérature 
  • Merit-based competition for research in France.

What does it mean to be a TA? Am I assisting a professor?
As a TA in French, you are the sole instructor for the section you teach and you are responsible for all daily instruction, grading, and communication with students for your section. You will, however, work with a Course Coordinator who is an expert in curriculum design and language teaching to help you along the way. The Course Coordinator will help you work as part of a teaching team to ensure students (and teachers!) in different sections of the same course have a similar experience. You will meet frequently with your Coordinator and other members of your teaching team to discuss how things are going and what is coming up next in the course.

Do I have to have previous experience teaching?
Many graduate students who are supported through a TA appointment have little to no teaching experience. You will have lots of support as you learn to be an effective instructor. You will learn more about the program and how to teach the first few weeks of your class during orientation week in August and you will enroll in two different courses during your first year to learn more about language teaching. You also have the support of your peers, teaching team, Course Coordinator, and the Program Director to help if you need guidance or run into problems.

How often will the classes I teach meet?
Most classes that TAs teach meet in person four days per week for 50 minutes or two days per week for 115 minutes. Four-day-per-week classes meet Monday through Thursday and two-day-per-week classes meet Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday.

Who are my students?
Many of the students enrolled in first- through fourth-semester courses are undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts who are completing their language requirement, though you may also have some students who are taking French as an elective. Some students may also be interested in majoring, minoring, or studying abroad--especially in more advanced courses.

What materials will I use?
You will be provided with course materials (e.g., textbook, course pack, Canvas site, online workbook, etc.), a syllabus, and a course calendar at the beginning of the semester by your Course Coordinator. Additionally, you will get digital access to many shared resources that you can use in your class and your lesson planning.

What other responsibilities will I have?
In addition to your primary teaching responsibilities, you will hold two office hours per week when you will be available to meet with students who have questions or need to talk with you individually. These meetings can be held in the graduate office in Folwell Hall, online, or at another convenient location on campus. You will set the time and location for your office hours at the start of the semester and communicate them to students and colleagues. You are also expected to participate as an active member of the teaching team by sharing your experiences and providing feedback as requested.