Overview

During the admissions process we review all applicants for a doctoral fellowship. All fellowship packages include a stipend to assist with living expenses, a full tuition scholarship, and individual student health insurance. Stipends currently range from $40,000-$45,000 per year depending upon which fellowship is awarded. Currently, we offer two fellowships the standard Bentley PhD Fellowship and the Rauch Doctoral Fellowship.

• Funding is guaranteed for four years, with a fifth-year contingent upon progress in the program.
• PhD students serve as research assistants in years 1 and 2, and teach one course per semester during years 3, 4 & 5. Students may not assume outside work.
• Students must maintain good academic standing to remain eligible for tuition scholarships, university health insurance, and stipends. 

Rauch Doctoral Fellowships

Thanks to a generous endowment from the Rauch family currently two students are supported by Rauch Doctoral Fellowships. When current Rauch Doctoral fellows graduate new fellows are identified by the PhD council during the application review and selection period for the incoming doctoral class. Applicants for both the PhD in Business and PhD in Accounting are considered for this prestigious fellowship, which includes a $45,000 annual stipend. The Rauch Doctoral Fellowship is awarded to a top incoming student demonstrating great promise to make a significant impact in their respective academic field. The fellowship continues through graduation, assuming the student remains in good academic standing. Learn more about the history of the Rauch Doctoral Fellowship. 

Bentley PhD Fellowships

Admitted students not supported by a Rauch Doctoral Fellowship will receive a Bentley PhD Fellowship, which includes an annual stipend of $40,000. Applicants for both the PhD in Business and PhD in Accounting programs are automatically considered for a Bentley PhD Fellowship. The fellowship continues through graduation, assuming the student remains in good academic standing.

Conference and Research Support

• Conference Travel:  The PhD program provides financial support for doctoral students to participate in both domestic and international conferences.
• Research Support:  PhD students seeking research support may apply for funding directly from the PhD Program.  Research support can also be provided from centers on campus, such as the Center for Women and Business.   

EXTERNAL DOCTORAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Accounting Doctoral Scholar’s Program

Bentley is one of a small number of schools chosen to participate in the Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program.  The ADS Program was created by the biggest accounting firms, in conjunction with the AICPA Foundation, to advocate for an increased number of highly qualified accounting professors. The program provides an additional $40,000 of financial support to qualified participants.  Please visit the ADS website for participation information. 

AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students

The AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students ensures that CPAs of diverse backgrounds are visible in college and university classrooms. The program's goal is to increase the number of minority CPAs who serve as role models and mentors to young people in the academic environment. The AICPA Foundation awards annual fellowships of $12,000 to full-time minority accounting scholars who demonstrate significant potential to become accounting educators.  For more information about eligibility please visit the AICPA Fellowship Website.

AICPA William (Bill) Ezzell Scholarship

Bill believed that the best way to encourage the next generation of CPAs was to put educators in the classroom with relevant and recent real-world experience. The AICPA Foundation created the William (Bill) Ezzell Scholarship to honor his passion and continue his legacy by providing financial assistance to CPAs pursuing their Ph.D. For more information about eligibility please visit the AICPA Fellowship Website

Financing Options

Please see the financial assistance website for more information.