Stanford
Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education

For Directors of Graduate Admissions

New School of Engineering students meet at the President's Reception during New Graduate Student Orientation.
New School of Engineering students meet at the President's Reception during New Graduate Student Orientation.

Thank you for your continued dedication to graduate education at Stanford and your adaptability as you continue to support our faculty and students in this admission season. Below, please find important information and resources to support the success of your admissions cycle.

Thank you again for your dedication to ensuring that our students have the best possible educational experiences.
 
Best wishes for a successful admissions season.

********************************************************************************

Graduate Admissions: Info and Resource Support from VPGE


1. 2025-26 VPGE-Administered Fellowship Stipend Level

The 2025-26 stipend for VPGE-administered fellowships is set at $58,200 annually, $14,550 per quarter.

 

2. 2025-26 University Minimum Assistantship Level 

In November 2024, Stanford and the Stanford Graduate Workers Union-United Electric Local 1043, negotiated and finalized a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Under the terms of this agreement the Minimum Assistantship rate, for a 50% appointment, will be:

  • Academic Year 2024-2025 (effective January 1, 2025): $54,952 annualized ($13,513 per quarter)
  • Academic Year 2025-2026: $56,348 annualized ($14,087 per quarter)
  • Academic Year 2026-2027: $58,460 annualized ($14,615 per quarter)

 

3. Creating a More Diverse and Inclusive Community of Graduate Students

The IDEAL Graduate Recruitment Faculty & Administrator Portal is designed to empower degree programs’ local ownership and leadership in advancing the IDEAL charge to improve diversity broadly-defined in graduate education. It provides:

  • a curated set of promising practices from throughout the Stanford community, including strategies to improve admissions and persuade admits to attend Stanford;
  • data dashboards showing historical enrollment and admissions data to support long-term planning; and,
  • a set of planning tools to improve future recruitment processes.

 

4. Conveying Stanford’s Distinctive University Resources and Opportunities

Offer letters and other communications with admits provide key opportunities to help students understand how the degree program will support them and whether Stanford University is a place where they can envisage their success. 

To help you make the best use of these opportunities, here are some key attributes of the Stanford community you may choose to convey in your communications.

Stanford Community Key Attributes

VPGE Resources for Recruitment Communications

  • Grad Gateway: provides prospective students with information for their transition to Stanford (view online).
  • Offer letters: the IDEAL Portal includes a module with tips for constructing clear and persuasive offer letters, particularly for students from diverse backgrounds.
  • VPGE brochure: informs prospective students about resources and opportunities that enhance their graduate studies (view online).
  • VPGE website: prospective students will also find an abundance of information on the VPGE website.
  • Why Stanford flier: highlights our distinctive resources for advancing diversity, interdisciplinary learning, and academic innovation at Stanford, as well as resources for professional development (view online).

 

5. Graduate Recruitment and Diversity Day (GRAD Diversity Day)

GRAD Day is an opportunity for prospective graduate students to learn more about Stanford's commitment to the success of graduate students across schools and departments. The activities are designed to support students in making informed decisions for their future by introducing attendees to the resources and communities offered at Stanford that cultivate a thriving and inclusive campus. GRAD Day will be held in-person on March 13-14, 2025.

GRAD Day is sponsored by the VPGE and the Schools of Education, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, and the Doerr School of Sustainability. To invite your prospective students, contact graddiversity@stanford.edu or your school’s diversity officer.

 

6. Graduate Student Fellowships for New Admits 

By Nomination from Degree Program

 

7. Graduate Student Funding Opportunities for Current Students 

By Student Application

By Nomination from School Dean’s Office

Information about the nomination process will be shared with school staff on January 30, 2025.

 

8. Professional Development Programs for Graduate Students

The VPGE office partners with schools, degree programs, and many other units on campus to offer workshops and experiences for students to build their academic and professional skills.