THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

Empower graduate students with the support needed to pursue meaningful research and build careers that make a lasting difference, from admission through degree completion and beyond.

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Your support of The Graduate School matters.

Your gift to The Graduate School directly shapes the experience of Carolina's most promising graduate students, providing the fellowships, resources and community they need to focus on their work and complete their degrees. When you invest in The Graduate School, you are accelerating the careers of the next generation of researchers and leaders whose work will make a difference in the world.

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Enrolling for excellence

The Graduate School works closely with academic programs across Carolina to identify and recruit the most promising admitted students, offering fellowships that give them the freedom and financial support to choose UNC-Chapel Hill and do their best.

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Creating a culture of care

In collaboration with academic programs and units across campus, advocate for and support a University-wide framework to promote graduate student success and well-being so students can thrive from initial contact through graduation and beyond.

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Real-world readiness

The Graduate School prepares graduate students with the professional skills and confidence to step out of Carolina and into careers where they can lead and make a lasting impact.

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Investing in the people who serve North Carolina

Two Carolina master’s students, one training to teach in North Carolina high schools and one preparing to support the state’s aging population, say funding they received was necessary for them to enroll in their programs.

Read More About the Students (Opens in new tab)

Impacting higher education’s future

The Graduate School serves society through teaching, research and public service.

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36%

of Carolina's enrolled population is made up of graduate and professional students

$1 billion+

reached in annual research expenditures

204

external fellowships and awards received by graduate students in 2024-25

Support The Graduate School

Your support advances graduate education at Carolina, empowering the next generation of researchers and leaders to complete their degrees and go on to shape the world beyond Chapel Hill.

SEE RELATED FUNDS

Graduate School Dean's Fund

This unrestricted fund is our most powerful tool for supporting graduate students. It enables The Graduate School to respond quickly to emerging needs, launch new initiatives and invest in opportunities the moment they arise.

Graduate School Fellowship Fund

These fellowships bring the world’s brightest graduate students to UNC-Chapel Hill and give them the freedom to do their best work. Dissertation fellowships allow doctoral students to dedicate themselves fully to completing groundbreaking research without financial distraction.

Graduate Professional Development Fund

The Graduate School’s CareerWell Professional Development program equips graduate students with the skills to thrive beyond academia. Through workshops, coaching and targeted resources, we prepare students to lead and excel in diverse career paths.

Student Success Fund

The Graduate School’s Grad Student Success program creates community and provides support for graduate students from every background. Through targeted programming and peer connection, we help ensure that all students have what they need to thrive and complete their degrees successfully.

Your support in action

SEE RELATED STORIES
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Environment, Climate & Sustainability
3 min read

Heat mapping for change

Katherine Burley Farr, a doctoral student in the public policy department, studies how rising heat affects health and safety in North Carolina.

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Environment, Climate & Sustainability
2 min read

Community-based climate research

Environmental scientist and Royster Fellow looks at climate from all angles.

Bryn Barker and DJ Passey hold hands with their twin boys on a beach.
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
4 min read

Dissertations and Diapers

A Royster Fellowship was crucial for married doctoral students Bryn Barker and DJ Passey as they juggled graduate studies and parenting twins.

Contact us

VISIT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL WEBSITE (Opens in new tab)
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Kate Moser

Chief Development Officer

Leads all external relations and fundraising efforts for The Graduate School, overseeing development strategies that advance the School's mission and growth.

katemoser@unc.edu (919) 843-8393
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Megan Graves

Philanthropy Officer

Cultivates and stewards donor relationships at all levels to connect philanthropic interests with the School's priorities.

mgrave@email.unc.edu (919) 771-7951
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Laura Pratt

Assistant Director, Development

Supports fundraising and alumni relations goals, managing key areas such as stewardship, annual giving, alumni relations and data management.

lepratt@email.unc.edu (919) 962-7806
"Pursuing a graduate education can be both rewarding and challenging. We offer graduate students a range of resources, including our academic, funding and fellowships, and student affairs teams and mental health and well-being tools, to make your time at Carolina a success."
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Beth Mayer-Davis, PhD

Dean, The Graduate School at UNC-Chapel Hill