Finding funding for graduate school can be difficult, especially for students looking for scholarships connected to the Catholic Church, Catholic universities, Catholic education, theology, ministry, research and service.
We researched current 2026–2027 opportunities and found 15 Catholic scholarships, fellowships and graduate funding opportunities with deadlines from October 2026 through March 2027.
Some are open specifically to Catholic students, while others are offered by Catholic universities or Catholic organizations and accept graduate students regardless of denomination.
Important: This list focuses on opportunities with deadlines still upcoming as of October 8, 2026. Some are scholarships, while others are fellowships or research grants that can help pay for graduate study or graduate-level research.
Top Catholic Graduate Scholarships 2026 at a Glance
| # | Scholarship/Fellowship | Award | Deadline | Graduate Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notre Dame Franco Graduate Working Groups | Up to $5,000 | Oct. 9, 2026 | Doctoral |
| 2 | Notre Dame Sorin Fellows | Grant funding available | Oct. 25, 2026 | Graduate/Professional |
| 3 | Rockhampton Catholic Education Graduate Teacher Scholarship | $4,500 | Oct. 30, 2026 | Graduate/Teacher |
| 4 | Boston College CSTM Scholarships | 25%–100% tuition | Nov. 1, 2026 | Master’s |
| 5 | Boston College Christian-Jewish Learning Scholarship | Scholarship | Nov. 1, 2026 | Graduate |
| 6 | Notre Dame ACE Teaching Fellows | Tuition-free M.Ed. + stipend | Nov. 3, 2026 | Master’s |
| 7 | Divine Mercy University Scholarships | Varies | Dec. 12, 2026 | Master’s/Doctorate |
| 8 | Cyprian Davis Award | $1,000 | Dec. 31, 2026 | Graduate/Research |
| 9 | Gutiérrez Research Award | $3,000 | Dec. 31, 2026 | Graduate/Research |
| 10 | Notre Dame Research Travel Grant | Up to $2,000 | Dec. 31, 2026 | Graduate/Research |
| 11 | D’Agostino Research Travel Grant | Research funding | Dec. 31, 2026 | Graduate/Research |
| 12 | CBA Emerging Scholars Fellowship | Fellowship support | Jan. 15, 2027 | Doctoral |
| 13 | CBA Travel Grant | Up to $900 | Jan. 15, 2027 | Graduate/Doctoral |
| 14 | Notre Dame Remick Leadership Program | Need-based aid | Feb. 1, 2027 | Graduate |
| 15 | Notre Dame ENL Hernandez Fellowship | $3,000 + up to $2,000 aid | Mar. 15, 2027 | Graduate-level |
Top 15 Catholic Scholarships for Graduate Students 2026
1. Notre Dame Franco Graduate Working Groups
Deadline: October 9, 2026
The Franco Graduate Working Groups at the University of Notre Dame provide funding and support for doctoral students working on questions that benefit from interdisciplinary research.
The program can provide up to $5,000 to support approved graduate working groups.
Applicants must be eligible Notre Dame graduate students, and the funding is intended for academic activities that take place during the applicable funding period.
Best for: Doctoral students in the humanities and related fields.
Direct application: Notre Dame Franco Graduate Working Groups
The current 2026 deadline is October 9.
2. Notre Dame Sorin Fellows Program
Deadline for the next review: October 25, 2026
The Sorin Fellows Program is a Catholic intellectual and formation opportunity for graduate and professional students at the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College.
Students are expected to demonstrate an interest in the Catholic moral and intellectual tradition.
Sorin Fellows can also become eligible to apply for competitive funding for research, conferences, internships and other professional or academic activities.
Best for: Graduate and professional students interested in Catholic thought, ethics, human dignity and the common good.
Direct application: Apply to the Sorin Fellows Program
The next application review date is October 25, 2026.
3. Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton Graduate Teacher Scholarship
Deadline: October 30, 2026
Catholic Education in the Diocese of Rockhampton, Australia, is offering Graduate Secondary Teacher Scholarships for people preparing to begin teaching in Catholic schools in 2027.
Successful applicants can receive $4,500, an early offer of employment, mentoring and a pathway toward permanent employment.
The scholarship is available for graduate teachers entering Catholic education.
Best for: Graduate teachers and pre-service secondary teachers in Australia.
Award: $4,500.
Direct application: Apply for the Graduate Secondary Teacher Scholarship
Applications close October 30, 2026.
4. Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry Scholarships
Deadline: November 1, 2026 for Spring 2027
Boston College’s Clough School of Theology and Ministry (CSTM) offers numerous scholarships and financial-aid opportunities for graduate students.
The school reports that 100% of master’s students receive tuition scholarships, with awards ranging from 25% to 100% depending on the scholarship.
The school offers programs including the M.A. in Theology and Ministry, Master of Theological Studies and Master of Theology.
Applicants are automatically considered for CSTM scholarships when they submit their admission application.
Best for: Students pursuing graduate theology, ministry and related programs.
Direct application: Boston College CSTM graduate application information
For Spring 2027, the application deadline is November 1, 2026. The Fall 2027 priority scholarship deadline is January 15, 2027.
5. Boston College Center for Christian-Jewish Learning Scholarship
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Boston College’s Center for Christian-Jewish Learning offers scholarship support connected to graduate study and research in Christian-Jewish relations.
The center is part of Boston College, a Catholic and Jesuit university, and its academic work includes graduate-level study of Christian-Jewish relations.
The scholarship is particularly relevant to graduate students interested in theology, religious studies, Jewish studies, Christian-Jewish relations and related fields.
Best for: Graduate students working in Christian-Jewish relations and related academic areas.
Direct application: Boston College Center Scholarship
Applications are due November 1, 2026.
6. Notre Dame ACE Teaching Fellows
Deadline: November 3, 2026
The ACE Teaching Fellows program at the University of Notre Dame is one of the strongest Catholic graduate funding opportunities on this list.
It is a two-year graduate teaching fellowship in which participants serve in Catholic schools while earning a tuition-free Master of Education degree from Notre Dame.
Participants also receive financial support, including a living stipend, housing assistance and other benefits.
The program is open to graduates from a wide range of academic backgrounds.
International applicants can also apply, although additional English-language requirements may apply.
Best for: Graduates who want to teach in Catholic schools while earning a master’s degree.
Benefit: Tuition-free M.Ed. plus living support.
Direct application: Apply to ACE Teaching Fellows
The Fall 2026 application deadline is November 3, 2026. A second application deadline is January 19, 2027.
7. Divine Mercy University Graduate Scholarships
Deadline: December 12, 2026
Divine Mercy University (DMU) provides graduate scholarships for students pursuing programs in counseling and psychology.
The university follows a Catholic-Christian vision of the human person and offers master’s and doctoral-level graduate programs.
For Fall 2027, the current scholarship deadline is:
- M.S. in Counselling: December 12, 2026
- M.S. in Psychology: December 12, 2026
- PhD in Counsellor Education & Supervision: December 12, 2026
- Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology: April 30, 2027
Best for: Graduate students pursuing counselling or psychology.
Direct application: Divine Mercy University Graduate Scholarships
The scholarship deadlines are confirmed on the university’s current graduate scholarship page.
8. Cyprian Davis, O.S.B. Award
Deadline: December 31, 2026
The Cyprian Davis Award is offered by the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame.
It recognizes research that makes a significant contribution to the study of the Black Catholic experience in North America and the Caribbean.
The award provides a $1,000 cash award.
Applicants must submit a CV and a 1,000-word project description, including publication plans.
Best for: Graduate students, researchers and scholars studying Black Catholic history and experience.
Direct application: Cyprian Davis Award application
The 2026 deadline is December 31.
9. Gustavo Gutiérrez Research Award
Deadline: December 31, 2026
The Gustavo Gutiérrez Research Awards support research in theology, history and the social sciences that engages with or is inspired by the work of Rev. Gustavo Gutiérrez, O.P.
Graduate students are explicitly eligible.
Each selected scholar receives a $3,000 cash award.
The award is open to scholars at Notre Dame and outside the university.
Best for: Graduate students researching theology, poverty, liberation theology, history or social sciences.
Direct application: Gustavo Gutiérrez Research Award
Applications must be submitted by December 31, 2026.
10. Notre Dame Research Travel Grants
Deadline: December 31, 2026
The Cushwa Center Research Travel Grants support scholars who need to conduct research using the University of Notre Dame Archives or Hesburgh Libraries.
The grants can provide up to $2,000 for travel and lodging.
The research must relate to the study of Catholics in America.
Applicants from any academic discipline may apply if their research meets the program requirements.
Best for: Graduate students and scholars conducting Catholic history or related research.
Direct application: Notre Dame Research Travel Grant
The deadline is December 31, 2026.
11. Peter R. D’Agostino Research Travel Grant
Deadline: December 31, 2026
The Peter R. D’Agostino Research Travel Grant supports research in Roman archives relating to U.S. Catholic history.
Applicants must submit a CV, a project description and a detailed budget.
This opportunity can be particularly valuable for graduate students whose dissertations or research projects require access to Catholic archives in Rome.
Best for: Graduate researchers in Catholic history and related fields.
Direct application: D’Agostino Research Travel Grant
The current deadline is December 31, 2026.
12. Catholic Biblical Association Emerging Scholars Fellowship
Deadline: January 15, 2027
The Catholic Biblical Association of America Emerging Scholars Fellowship is specifically designed for graduate-level biblical scholars.
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled in a doctoral program in a biblical field
- Not yet hold the doctoral degree at the deadline
- Be able to attend and present at the CBA Annual General Meeting
- Provide two recommendations from faculty in their doctoral program
The fellowship supports promising emerging scholars in Biblical studies.
Best for: PhD students in Biblical studies.
Direct application: CBA Emerging Scholars Fellowship information and application
The next deadline is January 15, 2027.
13. Catholic Biblical Association Travel Grants
Deadline: January 15, 2027
The Catholic Biblical Association Travel Grant provides financial support for members attending the association’s Annual General Meeting.
The association can provide up to $900 per grant, with up to 12 grants awarded annually.
Graduate Student Members of the CBA are eligible.
Doctoral students can also apply for both the Emerging Scholars Fellowship and the Travel Grant if they meet the requirements, although they cannot receive both awards in the same year.
Best for: Graduate and doctoral students in Biblical studies.
Award: Up to $900.
Direct application: CBA Travel Grant application information
Applications open December 1 and close January 15.
14. Notre Dame Remick Leadership Program
Deadline: February 1, 2027
The Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame is designed for professionals who want to become leaders in Catholic education.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and be working full-time in a Catholic school or archdiocese/diocese.
The program offers significant need-based financial aid, in addition to funding that participants may receive from schools, dioceses or religious communities.
For Summer 2027, applications must be complete by February 1, 2027.
Best for: Catholic school educators and education leaders pursuing graduate-level leadership formation.
Direct application: Apply to the Notre Dame Remick Leadership Program
The current application deadline is February 1, 2027.
15. Notre Dame ENL Hernandez Fellowship
Deadline: March 15, 2027
The ENL Hernandez Fellows program from Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education helps Catholic school educators develop expertise in supporting English learners.
The program provides 18 graduate-level credits and includes tuition, room and board.
Every admitted fellow receives a $3,000 Hernandez Fellowship. Additional need-based scholarship support of $100 to $2,000 is also available.
The 2027–2028 program costs $12,000 before the $3,000 fellowship and additional need-based aid.
Best for: Catholic school teachers working with English learners.
Benefit: $3,000 fellowship plus possible additional scholarship support.
Direct application: Apply to the ENL Hernandez Fellows Program
Applications open October 15, 2026, and close March 15, 2027.
Important Note for International Students
Not all scholarships on this list are open to international students.
International applicants should check each official scholarship page carefully before applying. Some opportunities are limited to students already studying at a particular Catholic university, while others are open to researchers from outside the institution.
For international graduate students, the strongest options in this list to investigate first include:
- Divine Mercy University
- Notre Dame ACE Teaching Fellows
- Notre Dame Cushwa research awards
- Catholic Biblical Association opportunities, where membership and program requirements are met
- Notre Dame ENL Hernandez Fellows, where the program’s employment and Catholic-school requirements can be satisfied
How to Apply for Catholic Graduate Scholarships
Before applying, prepare:
- Updated CV or résumé
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of purpose or research proposal
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of enrollment or admission
- Evidence of Catholic or ministry involvement where required
- Research budget for research grants
- Financial-need documents where applicable
Most importantly, apply through the official organisation or university website and check the deadline again before submitting.
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