Tau Beta Pi

The Engineering Honor Society

Hero section border

Fellowships

The Fellowship Program is Tau Beta Pi's single most important project for the advancement of engineering education and the profession. It is a time-proven idea which was pioneered by Tau Beta Pi in the honor-society field. The plan was adopted by the 1928 Convention as a result of the recommendation and labors of President A. D. Moore. Since the beginning, the purpose has been to finance, for a select group of members chosen for merit, a year of graduate study at the institutions of their choice. A distinguishing feature of Tau Beta Pi fellowships has always been that they are as free of binding rules as possible. Tau Beta Pi fellows are free to do graduate work in any field which will enable them to contribute to the engineering profession. The only specific duty of awardees is to write a report at the completion of the fellowship year summarizing their work.

College student standing at his graduation in a cap and gown.

The Deadline is 11:59 P.M. (EDT) February 1, 2025.
Recommendations are due by 11:59 P.M. (EDT) February 8, 2025.

Application Reviewers: 2022-23 | 2021-22 | 2019-20

FAQ

Tau Beta Pi Constitution & Bylaws specifically restrict these fellowships to initiated members of the Tau Beta Pi Association on the date the fellowship is awarded. Any inaccuracies on the application will result in the immediate and automatic revocation of the fellowship offer. Tau Beta Pi membership records at the national office provide the single source of proof of an applicant's membership status

The program is designed for alumnus members of Tau Beta Pi who pursue full time graduate study for a complete collegiate year in a field that advances the engineering profession. Fellowships are restricted to initiated members. Note that international students (non-U.S. citizens) are eligible to apply.

Yes. You may apply in the last year of your B.S. program or during the M.S. portion of the program. You are also eligible to apply for a scholarship in your third or fourth year of your B.S. program.

You have the opportunity in Question 3 to describe how your plan of study advances the engineering profession. Examples include a graduate program in law that leads to patent law focusing on engineering innovations or an M.D./Ph.D. with research on biomedical instrumentation.

The fellowship may be postponed for one year for hardship cases at the discretion of the Director of Fellowships. Such cases include illness, or personal or family emergencies in which the winner cannot attend school for the academic year in which the fellowship was awarded. Funding issues are not considered hardship cases.

Members of Tau Beta Pi may apply by following the instructions found online. You will be asked to set up a username and password so your membership status can be confirmed. Be sure to update your mailing address by emailing TBP HQ with your new contact information. The address on file should match the address you indicate as the preferred address in your application. This link is not active until December 12.

Most likely the links do not work because your email software wrapped the URL onto the next line and the browser does not recognize all the text as part of the URL. Try cutting and pasting the entire URL into the address window on the browser. If this does not work type the URL from the email into the address window. As a last resort email the Systems Administrator and explain the problem.

You cannot apply for both in a single year. Contact the Systems Administrator.

Save the username and password you set up to acquire your application. The status can be checked by logging back into your account.

Your recommendations need to address your promise of substantial achievement. Suggestions for current students are research mentors, faculty who know you outside of the classroom and can address your academic abilities, and supervisors in engineering related experiences. Members, who are more than 2-3 years post-graduation, should ask supervisors who can address their potential to successfully complete a graduate program; some of these qualities are working independently, ability to complete a project, and leadership.

Check the email addresses for your recommenders to be sure they are correct. If you have not submitted your application, you can resend a letter of recommendation. If you have submitted your application, email the Systems Administrator.

You can submit either; however, your transcript should include your fall term grades. Graduate students should include both undergraduate and graduate transcripts; you will need to combine all your transcripts into a single file for upload.

  • Scholarship (GPA, research, publications, honors, & awards) - 30 percent

  • Promise of substantial achievement (educational, research, professional activities that have prepared you for graduate study; motivation; career goals; recommendations documenting activities, and potential for successful graduate study) - 40 percent

  • Co-curricular leadership and service, including Tau Beta Pi activities - 30 percent

Yes.

The application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT February 1. The letters of recommendation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST February 8.

May 1.

Fellows with financial aid for graduate study in excess of tuition may be awarded the TBP Fellowship without cash award.

The Fellowship Board receives hundreds of applications from members every year, and we do not record critiques for the applications received. Seek this sort of feedback and counseling from your academic advisor.

No.