New York Grace Legendre Endowment Fellowships
Scholarship Sponsored by New York Grace Legendre Endowment Fund, Inc.
Introduction / History
Since its founding in 1989 through the end of 2025, the New York Grace LeGendre Endowment Fund, Inc. (GLEF) has distributed more than $211,500 in fellowship support to 179 women who are residents of New York State. Of those recipients, 119 were pursuing master’s degrees and 56 were doctoral candidates, studying across 59 different graduate fields.
Recent and upcoming awards
Fellowships are granted each year to eligible women pursuing graduate study; the number of awards and award amounts change annually. For the 2025–26 academic year, GLEF awarded a total of $6,500. For the 2026–27 academic year, the Fund has set aside $6,500 to be split among four fellowships: one award of $2,000 and three awards of $1,500 each.
Eligibility
To be considered for a GLEF Fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Identify as a woman and be a resident of New York State; eligible immigration statuses include U.S. citizenship, DACA, or permanent resident (Green Card) status.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Be currently enrolled in an advanced graduate degree program (master’s or doctoral) at an accredited college or university located in New York State, and have completed at least one semester in that program.
- Demonstrate academic achievement and a financial need for assistance.
- Expect to complete their degree no later than 2027.
Application process and timeline
The application packet for the 2026 Fellowships will be posted for download (MS Word and PDF) in Fall 2025.
All application materials must be completed and postmarked by February 28, 2026. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the application is filled out, signed where indicated, and mailed on time — and to confirm that all required supporting documents are also postmarked to the Fellowship Chair by that same deadline.
Required supplemental materials
Applicants must arrange for the following items to be submitted by the specified sources and postmarked by February 28, 2026:
1. Official transcripts (most recent undergraduate and any graduate transcripts). Transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing college or university to the Fellowship Chair.
2. Two current letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic performance and/or professional work. Recommenders should send letters directly to the Fellowship Chair.
3. A one-page personal statement explaining why the applicant should receive a fellowship, describing accomplishments, goals and long-range plans, financial need, and how the graduate education will be used.
Notification of receipt
An acknowledgement by e-mail will be sent upon receipt of your application and/or any subsequent materials.