A new fellowship program is set to make the University of Michigan a premier choice for top international Ph.D. students, offering crucial financial aid during their time in the College of Engineering’s doctoral program.
The James F. Lu World Fellows Program, funded by a $10 million donation from entrepreneur and U-M engineering alumnus James Lu, will provide multiyear support for international Ph.D. students. These students will work on innovative projects in medicine, computing, artificial intelligence, and space technology.
“Attending the University of Michigan gave me a platform to launch my career as a tech entrepreneur,” said Lu, co-founder of Joffre Capital. “U-M offers one of the strongest engineering programs, and I am honored to establish this fellowship initially focusing on engineering Ph.D. students. With international grants becoming scarce, this program aims to attract top international candidates to a leading engineering Ph.D. program.”
Lu highlights that international students’ education at U-M is globally recognized, partly due to its extensive alumni network. A 2025 study by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics found that many international Ph.D. graduates stay in the U.S., boosting the economy. The fellowship aims to inspire other donors to create similar initiatives, enhancing international research talent at U-M.
“The U.S. research enterprise thrives on Ph.D. students. The University of Michigan has long benefited from drawing global talent,” said Karen Thole, Dean of Engineering. “This generous gift will help continue our tradition of solving today’s pressing challenges and developing future engineering leaders.”
The merit-based program will support up to 55 Ph.D. students over five years, providing up to $150,000 per student. The first fellows will start in fall 2026, aligning with the 150th anniversary of U-M’s first Ph.D. award—a milestone for public universities.
Lu intends to broaden the program to other U-M areas and degree levels. His previous contributions have supported scholarships and fellowships across the College of Engineering, Medical School, and more.
Lu’s entrepreneurial journey began at U-M while pursuing a master’s in electrical engineering and computer science. He founded Yoolin, a Chinese social media network, and later created Chegg, an educational technology platform. Lu also worked as a NASA software engineer and founded Amazon Marketing Services. He held a vice-presidential role at Baidu before co-founding Joffre Capital, and serves on the U-M Provost Advisory Committee.
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