Frequently Asked Questions

The “Is the Rales Fellows Program right for me?” quiz is a helpful tool to help determine whether the program is right for you. Please contact us if you have specific questions about your eligibility.

Yes. Students who are admitted to their graduate degree program and advance in the initial screening process will be selected as a semi-finalist. Semi-finalists complete a Zoom interview with Rales Program staff.

The program seeks individuals who want to grow in their leadership and aspire to work toward advancements in the sciences that will further human progress. The Rales Fellows Program Attributes highlight a few of the characteristics we are looking for in successful candidates.

We encourage you to attend one of our Information Sessions to learn more about the application process and meet program staff. Sessions are held during the fall academic semester. If you would like to request a 1:1 appointment, please email @email.

Priority consideration is given to incoming graduate students. However, current master’s students who have at least one full academic year of coursework remaining may submit their candidacy application to the Rales Fellows Program.

Carnegie Mellon is small enough to have individualized support, yet big enough to have a global reach. CMU permeates barriers and aims to be the best in class in every pursuit. As a Rales Fellow, your ideas and persona will be recognized. You will join a collaborative environment that will inspire you to see opportunities beyond imagination.

The cohort experience creates a supportive, interdisciplinary community for Rales Fellows. You and your peers will lean on each other’s strengths, and stretch your strengths to become global STEM leaders.

Rales Fellows receive two years of tuition support, as well as a $35,000 stipend to cover living expenses. Tuition support is intended to provide Rales Fellows with the freedom to pursue their personal academic and research interests. Ph.D. students receive the stipend amount indicated in their departmental admission offer letter.

The support begins the summer before arriving in Pittsburgh and continues in August before classes start with a leadership retreat. The leadership retreat is part of a weeklong onboarding experience held during the first week of August. Once the semester starts, Rales Fellows have access to exclusive networking events, social programs and personalized career coaching.

Facilitating connections with academic and industry leaders is a key component of the Rales Fellows Program. In addition to personalized career coaching, Rales Fellows have access to professional development and networking events with academic and industry leaders.