This article was originally reported in October 2025.
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) inducted its second cohort of CMU Rales Fellows on September 30, 2025. The 34 fellows, 31 master’s students and 3 PhD students, were enrolled in 18 graduate programs across CMU’s four eligible colleges. They came from 27 undergraduate institutions in 20 U.S. states (Carnegie Mellon University News, October 1, 2025).
What the Rales Fellows Program is
CMU created the program in 2023 through a $150 million partnership with the Norman R. Rales and Ruth Rales Foundation to lower barriers to graduate STEM education for domestic students. It supports students in more than 120 eligible STEM master’s and doctoral programs. Fellows receive:
- a financial award covering tuition, plus a monthly stipend for living expenses;
- a cohort-based experience with faculty mentorship;
- professional development and networking events with academic and industry leaders;
- personalized coaching from a dedicated career adviser.
Joshua Rales, president of the foundation, said its goal is to “open up access to a world-class graduate education for talented and deserving students.” CMU President Farnam Jahanian said the university is “building a new generation of STEM trailblazers whose talents and brilliance will benefit humanity” (CMU News).
Which programs the 2025 fellows were in
- Mellon College of Science: computational biology, data analytics for science, mathematical sciences, chemistry.
- College of Engineering: information security, engineering and technology innovation management, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering (including the research track), artificial intelligence engineering, electrical and computer engineering, engineering and public policy, integrated innovation for products and services.
- School of Computer Science: human-computer interaction, robotics, automated science, computer science.
- Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences: applied data science.
Who can apply
According to university fellowship offices that list the program, applicants must (University at Buffalo Office of Fellowships and Scholarships):
- be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or DACA recipient;
- apply to an eligible graduate STEM degree program on CMU’s Pittsburgh campus;
- have received a Federal Pell Grant or need-based financial aid as an undergraduate, or be a first-generation college student.
Candidates apply to their CMU graduate program and submit a separate Rales Fellow application; the priority review deadline is December 15.
International students are not eligible. Students on F-1 visas should ask their CMU department directly about the funding attached to their program, such as research or teaching assistantships and departmental scholarships.
Latest update: the third cohort (November 2026)
CMU inducted its third cohort of 25 Rales Fellows (22 master’s and 3 PhD candidates) on November 2, 2026. They are enrolled in 19 graduate programs across the four eligible colleges, come from 20 undergraduate institutions in 13 states, and five earned their bachelor’s degrees at CMU. Applications rose 115% from fall 2024 to fall 2026, and the cohort was chosen from 86 semifinalists and 41 finalists. Applications for the 2027 cohort are open with a December 15 priority review deadline (Carnegie Mellon University News, November 3, 2026).
About Carnegie Mellon
CMU is No. 14 in the U.S. News 2027 national universities ranking, No. 24 in the THE World University Rankings 2027 and No. 55 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (Forward Pathway rankings database; see our U.S. college rankings). For admissions statistics, costs and international enrollment, see our Carnegie Mellon University profile.
References
- Carnegie Mellon University Welcomes Second Cohort of Rales Fellows (CMU News, October 1, 2025)
- Carnegie Mellon University Welcomes Third Cohort of Rales Fellows (CMU News, November 3, 2026)
- CMU Rales Fellows Program (University at Buffalo Office of Fellowships and Scholarships)
- Carnegie Mellon University profile (Forward Pathway)