A Message from the SUNY Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Since 1987, the State University of New York has offered competitive fellowships to students of diverse social backgrounds in graduate and professional school studies. 

In reaction to the decision of the State University Board of Trustees in 2006 and pursuant to appropriations contained within the New York State Budget, the State University of New York offers graduate fellowships (known statewide as the Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program and at Stony Brook as the Dr. W. Burghardt Turner Fellowship Program) to students who have been admitted to graduate or professional study and who will contribute to the diversity of the student body, especially those who can demonstrate that they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. In awarding fellowships, programs may give consideration to students who are of a race or ethnicity that is underrepresented in its graduate and professional programs but may not make awards solely on that basis. 

Making diversity integral to all the programs envisioned in the Power of SUNY has raised SUNY’s profile as a national leader in preparing students for success in a culturally rich and racially diverse society.It also has solidified SUNY’s leadership in linking academic excellence to the rich human and intellectualdiversity that is the hallmark of New York State.