Funding

Non-service fellowships provide students with a stipend that is disbursed regularly throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. Incoming students in GNSD are typically offered a departmental non-service fellowship in their first year and may apply internally for non-service 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 — also known as Graduate Assistantships — provide students with a regular stipend through employment. GNSD 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). Teaching assistants are expected to demonstrate a high degree of German proficiency to be eligible for teaching in GNSD.

As we are committed to excellence in second-language instruction, graduate students receive comprehensive training and mentoring as they develop their skills as teachers and become familiar with current language pedagogy and instructional technologies. Beginning instructors work collaboratively and are supported through weekly staff meetings, contact with experienced instructors, and shared course materials.

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 stipend through employment. GNSD 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.

Research and Travel Funds

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 GNSD. 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

GNSD offers nominal awards available to graduate students each year via faculty nomination, ranging from $250 to $300. These awards are meant to recognize exceptional efforts undertaken by graduate students. Current awards offered include the Publication Award and the GA Teaching Award.

Unique funding opportunities may arise within the department for graduate students to take advantage of. This can include specialized fellowships or Administrative Fellowships (employment). Below are the current opportunities unique to graduate students within our department.

Hella Mears Outreach Fellowship

The Hella Mears Outreach Fellowship provides a single-semester non-service fellowship to students in GNSD, along with the associated tuition waiver and health benefits. Mears Fellows work with secondary school teachers of German in the Greater Twin Cities area as teaching assistants in promoting the study of German language and culture as a part of the College in the Schools (CIS) program.

In addition to the non-service fellowship provided, students are also provided with an employment-based Administrative Fellowship at the current pay rate for union-represented graduate assistants for 50 hours of work. This augmentation to the non-service fellowship helps to appropriately compensate graduate students for the service provided to the CIS program.

Study Abroad and Exchanges

GNSD supports opportunities for graduate students to carry out research while abroad. Typically, this support comes in the form of a 1-semester non-service fellowship that allows the flexibility for students to be away from campus, particularly if they're finished with coursework. Study abroad opportunities are usually coordinated by the student with support from faculty, and are taken during the dissertation period.

GNSD currently hosts a 1-semester exchange with Graz University in Austria, available to students in the 3rd year of the program. The Graz exchange is supported by an non-service fellowship spanning the entire academic year, allowing the flexibility to join either the winter or summer sessions in Graz.

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.
• DAAD via CGES
  • The University of Minnesota's Center for German & European Studies (CGES) is one of seven North American centers sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, or DAAD). Students can work with CGES to acquire European exchange support, help co-sponsor campus events, and support research projects related to the study and education of the German language.

There are various organizations external to the University of Minnesota that support Germanic 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.

• DAAD grants
  • For independent study and dissertation research abroad in Germany.
• Fulbright Grants
  • ​​​​​​​For independent study and dissertation research abroad in various countries
• German Studies Association (GSA) Awards 
  • The GSA sponsors and supports a number of special awards, ranging from book and essay prizes to conference travel grants to participation in the prestigious Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies.
• 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.