All applicants to the CSEM Doctoral program are considered for financial aid as part of the admissions review process. Applicants are not required to submit a separate application for financial aid. The CSEM Program is unable to provide financial support for Master's students.
The majority of applicants admitted to the CSEM Doctoral program receive funding from one or more of the following sources.
A $5 million endowment supports the CSEM Graduate Fellowship Fund for U.S. citizens. The CSEM Fellowship provides an annual stipend of $42,000 for a four-year period. For the first year, a CSEM Fellow receives a $42,000 stipend directly from the CSEM Fellowship Fund, which allows the student to focus on the academic program. For each of the following three years, the $42,000 stipend comes from a combination of a CSEM Fellowship stipend and other institutional funds, such as a Graduate Research Assistantship or Teaching Assistantship. In addition, CSEM Fellows receive support for tuition and fees and an allocation for health insurance for each year of the fellowship.
The National Initiative for Modeling and Simulation (NIMS) Graduate Research Fellowship Program provides support for qualified U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students. The NIMS Fellowship provides an annual stipend of $38,000 for a four-year period. For the first year, a NIMS Fellow receives a $38,000 stipend directly from the NIMS Fellowship Fund, which allows the student to focus on the academic program. For each of the following three years, the $38,000 stipend comes from a combination of a NIMS Fellowship stipend and other institutional funds, such as a Graduate Research Assistantship or Teaching Assistantship. A unique feature of the program is the requirement that each recipient serve as a Teaching Assistant for one semester. NIMS Fellows also receive support for tuition and fees and an allocation for health insurance for each year of the fellowship.
The Fayez Sarofim Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Computational Medicine provides support to students pursuing computational cardiovascular engineering or affiliated research through the Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation at the Oden Institute. The Sarofim Fellowship provides an annual stipend of $38,000 and is awarded for a period of one year. Sarofim fellows also receive support for tuition and fees and an allocation for health insurance. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible.
The Yip and Elber Fellowship in Computational Biology provides support to students pursuing computational biology or affiliated research at the Oden Institute. The Yip and Elber fellowship provides an annual stipend of $36,000 and is awarded for a period of one year. Yip and Elber fellows also receive support for tuition and fees and an allocation for health insurance. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible.
The University of Texas at Austin Graduate School allocates funding to the CSEM Program for recruitment fellowships for incoming students and continuing fellowships for current students. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible for these awards and candidates are selected by the CSEM Admissions & Fellowships Committee. These fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis and may range from full support to supplementary stipends.
The Graduate School also has university-wide fellowship competitions for which the CSEM Program may nominate incoming and continuing students. These include the Harrington Recruitment Fellowship, Graduate Advancement Fellowship, McNair Scholars Fellowship, South Texas Graduate Fellowship, West Texas Graduate Fellowship, Dissertation Writing Fellowship, Summer Only Fellowship, and Continuing Fellowship. For full information, see Graduate School Fellowships.
The Dean's Prestigious Fellowship Supplement awards are for students who will hold large (typically $15,000 or more), competitive, prestigious external fellowships that recognize the student's academic achievements. The award is $1,000 and may entitle the student to pay resident tuition rates during the coming academic year. Nominations for this award are made by the Graduate Advisor.
Students who will hold large (typically $15,000 or more), competitive prestigious external fellowships may also be eligible to receive a supplemental fellowship from the CSEM Program to cover the cost of the Student Health Insurance if not provided by the external fellowship. Students receiving an external fellowship should contact the Graduate Coordinator for more information.
Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) are available to CSEM students through faculty research grants. Positions can range from 10 to 20 hours per week and normally provide coverage of tuition and fees. The Oden Institute minimum GRA salary rate for CSEM students for the 2025-26 academic year (08/16/25 - 08/15/26) is $36,000 ($3,000/month). For salary rates for student academic titles established by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost see Student Employee Compensation.
The CSEM Program has a limited number of Teaching Assistantships available for advanced students. Additionally, CSEM students may obtain Teaching Assistantships through associated UT departments. Appointments can range from 10 to 20 hours per week and include tuition assistance. For salary rates for student academic titles established by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost see Student Employee Compensation.