stipendium

Stipendium, or stipendium in several languages, denotes a form of financial support provided to individuals to enable participation in study, research, or artistic activity without requiring repayment. The term derives from Latin stipendium, meaning pay or allowance. In English usage, stipend often refers to a fixed regular sum paid to students or researchers, commonly by universities, governments, foundations, or international organizations. It can cover living costs, tuition, or project-related expenses, and is typically awarded for a defined period, such as one academic year or a fixed term.

Stipends differ from scholarships and fellowships primarily in funding structure and obligations; stipends are usually not repayable and focus on living expenses, while scholarships reward merit or need and may be applied toward tuition; fellowships emphasize a scholarly or artistic project and may require residency or reporting requirements. However, program labels vary, and some programs described as stipends combine elements of these categories.

Eligibility and selection processes vary by program, but common criteria include academic or professional merit, financial need, and/or a proposed project. Applications usually require transcripts, letters of recommendation, a résumé or CV, and a project or study plan; some programs require interviews.

Stipends are typically paid as monthly allowances and may be subject to income tax depending on jurisdiction and funding source. Critics note that stipends can be insufficient to cover living costs in high-cost areas or may favor certain groups; proponents argue they enable access to opportunities regardless of means.