Offering fellowships and awards for students, faculty and staff is just one of the many ways the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment invests in our community. 

We are proud to uplift these deserving recipients and support their meaningful work.

Research and Teaching Fellowships

Fellowships are for the recruitment of new graduate students holding a teaching or research assistantship in one of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s degree-granting graduate programs. Fellowships provide the following:

  • TAs: Up to $7,500 total for two semesters toward stipend
  • RAs: Up to $11,000 total for two semesters toward stipend, scholarship and student health insurance
  • RA/TA: Up to $9,500 total for two semesters toward stipend, scholarship and student health insurance 

Students who are being recruited to a graduate program must be nominated by their director of graduate studies. All master's and Ph.D. students in the college are eligible to apply.

Awardees may be nominated for a second year of funding. Please note that applications for a second year of funding do not require any supporting documentation. The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment does not provide scholarships for summer sessions.

Extension Community Impact Award

The Kentucky Cooperative Extension Community Impact Award recognizes programs and initiatives within the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service that demonstrate exceptional collaboration among agents, associates, specialists, assistants, partners and volunteers to address pressing community needs. Through innovative problem-solving, dynamic partnerships and active audience engagement, these transformative efforts drive measurable, long-lasting improvements that uplift communities and inspire meaningful engagement.

Award Amounts

Total: $3,000

  • Four $750 awards will be used in the county/department to support the nominated program or initiative.

Award Types

Four awards will be issued in the following categories:

  • Two New Programs/Initiatives: New programs or initiatives are implemented within the first two years. Impact indicators focus on initial and short-term outcomes to ensure early successes are acknowledged.
  • Two Existing Programs/Initiatives: Existing programs and initiatives have been established for three or more years and are geared toward achieving intermediate and long-term outcomes.

Nominee Eligibility

Nominee must be a full-time, .75 FTE, employee of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service at Kentucky State University or the University of Kentucky.

Nominee must have an active role in program/initiative development, implementation and/or evaluation.

Criteria
  1. Alignment with Community Needs: Demonstrate how the initiative addresses specific community challenges or needs, supported by data or assessments.
  2. Engagement and Collaboration: Highlight partnerships with local organizations, community members or volunteers that amplify the program's reach and effectiveness.
  3. Measurable Impact: Provide evidence of tangible outcomes, such as improved well-being, increased access to resources or other positive changes.
  4. Innovation and Creativity: Showcase unique approaches or solutions that set the initiative apart and inspire others.
  5. Sustainability and Scalability: Outline plans for the program’s long-term viability and potential for replication in other communities.
Community Impact Award text logo with colorful bar and words Celebrating the heartbeat of Kentucky's communities

Apply

The award application is open through Oct. 31, 2025.