Fellowships

The Boren Scholarship is for undergraduate students who seek a language-intensive study abroad program. These can be standard study abroad programs with additional language study, or you can pursue your own language study through direct enrollment in a foreign university or via a combined domestic/overseas institute through their African, Indonesian, South Asian, or Turkish flagship initiatives.

Candidates must:

• Be a currently enrolled college student at any level, and plan to complete the study abroad program in question while still in college (i.e. this will not fund a gap year)
• Apply to a study abroad program with a language study component in a Boren-supported country/language, and plan to continue language study after your return
• Have academic and career goals which resonate with Boren’s emphasis on US national security and/or international affairs
• Be a US citizen

Campus deadline: Early January

National deadline: Late January

Boren Awards website

ENDORSEMENT REQUIRED; APPLY THROUGH UREF ONLY

Provides a paid one-year research fellowship at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC. It is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs.

Candidates must: 

• Be a current senior or an alumnus within one year of receiving the BA but not yet in graduate school
• Demonstrate superior research skills and academic strengths in a field which fits with one of Carnegie’s ongoing research programs
• Have a competitive GPA

Campus deadline: December

National deadline: January

Carnegie website

NOMINATION REQUIRED; APPLY THROUGH UREF ONLY

Provides full tuition plus living stipend, travel allowance, and potential additional research funding toward one year of graduate study in the physical or natural sciences, engineering, or mathematics at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, UK.

Candidates must:

• Be a US citizen
• Be a current senior or recent graduate (within the past 12 months)
• Demonstrate high academic achievement and potential in the relevant scientific field
• Submit a separate application to the University of Cambridge, which is due in mid-October

Campus deadline: Late September

National deadline: Early November

Churchill website

NOMINATION REQUIRED; APPLY THROUGH UREF ONLY

Provides full funding (travel, room and board, programming) for intensive overseas summer language institutes in any of 13 critical languages.

Candidates must: 

• Be a US citizen
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a student at the application deadline (it’s OK to graduate before your summer language program)

Deadline: November

Critical Language Scholarship website

Wide variety of summer, semester, and yearlong internships/research/study in any field in Germany.

Deadlines: vary, depending on which opportunity you seek

DAAD website

SOME REQUIRE UIC ENDORSEMENT; APPLY THROUGH UREF

For those who are seeking admission to graduate school in an area of study related to international development and international affairs, the Payne Fellowship provides up to $104,000 in benefits over a two-year program for tuition and other graduate school costs, plus two summer internships and professional development activities. The aim of the Payne Fellowship is to attract and prepare outstanding individuals for careers as USAID Foreign Service Officers.

National deadline: October

Candidates must: 

• Be U.S. citizens.
• Be seeking admission to enter graduate school (starting the following fall) for a two-year program at a U.S. university. May be seniors or alumni.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.

Payne Fellows website 

Provides full funding for US citizens for one academic year abroad for research/study in one of over 140 countries worldwide OR teaching English as a foreign language in one of over 75 countries worldwide.

Candidates must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Hold a bachelor’s degree before the beginning date of the grant
• Present a plan or project which can be completed in one academic year

First draft target: June

Campus deadline: September

National deadline: October

Fulbright website

ENDORSEMENT REQUIRED; APPLY THROUGH UREF ONLY

A 3-to-4-week summer program based at a world-class UK university or cultural institution, the UKSI provides an immersive academic, cultural and social experience for first-year students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the United Kingdom and its diverse population while developing their communication, research and presentation skills.

Candidates must: 

• Be a US citizen and possess a US passport
• Have had little or no study/travel outside of the US or North America
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.7
• Be at least 18 years old by the start of the program
• Be able to participate in the program in its entirety
• Have at least two years of undergraduate study remaining after completing the Summer Institute

National deadline: Early February

Fulbright UK Summer Institute

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides full tuition plus a generous living stipend for the graduate degree program of your choice at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

There is one competition for US citizens and a separate one for all other nationalities (except UK citizens); UREF will advise students in either competition.

Candidates must: 

• Have a demonstrated record of academic achievement, leadership activity, and service to their community
• Gain admission to the University of Cambridge and to a constituent college
• Hold a bachelor’s degree by the start of your Cambridge program
• May be citizens of any country outside the UK

Deadline for US citizens: October

Deadline for other nationalities: December

Gates Cambridge website

The Gilman awards up to $5,000 for undergraduate study abroad programs, with the possibility of an additional $3,000 to study a critical language.

Deadline: varies; typically one semester before travel

Gilman website

MUST BE PELL GRANT ELIGIBLE; MUST APPLY THROUGH THE STUDY ABROAD OFFICE

Awards up to $7,500 annually to support undergraduate study leading to research careers in mathematics, natural science, or engineering. Open to sophomores and juniors majoring in STEM fields.

Candidates must:

• Be a full-time, degree-seeking sophomore or junior
• Intend to pursue a research career in natural science, mathematics or engineering
• Have a college grade point average of at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, and
• Be a U.S. citizen from the 50 states or the District of Columbia; a U.S. national for those students nominated by institutions in Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; or a permanent resident.
• Be nominated by UREF

Campus deadline: November

National deadline: January

Goldwater website

NOMINATION REQUIRED; APPLY THROUGH UREF ONLY

The Hertz Fellowship is for graduating seniors and current graduate students going on to pursue PhD studies in the biological, physical or engineering sciences. It provides 5 years of funding for doctoral students in those fields.

Candidates must:

• be college seniors, first-year graduate students, or in a gap year preparing to apply to graduate school
• intend to pursue a PhD in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering
• intend to direct their studies toward understanding and solving major, near-term problems facing society
• be citizens or permanent residents of the US

National deadline: October

Hertz website

The HSF Scholarship is designed to assist students of Hispanic heritage to obtain a university degree. Awards are based on merit; amounts range from $500 to $5,000, based on relative need, among the Scholars selected.

Candidates must: 

• Be of Hispanic heritage
• Have a minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for undergraduate and graduate students
• Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, during the fall of a scholarship cycle (year)
• Be a US Citizen, Permanent Legal Resident, DACA or Eligible Non-Citizen (as defined by FAFSA)
• Complete FAFSA or state-based financial aid application (if applicable)

National deadline: February

Hispanic Scholarship Fund website

The James Madison Fellowship is for:

1. Graduating seniors in college who are interested in becoming social science teachers; or
2. Current teaching professionals planning to obtain their master’s degree in social science or history education.

Candidates must: 

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be a teacher, or plan to become a teacher, of American history, American government, or civics classes where you will teach topics on the Constitution at the secondary school level (grades 7–12).
• Possess a bachelor’s degree or plan to receive a bachelor’s degree no later than August 31 of the year in which you are applying.

National deadline: March

James Madison Fellowship

Full funding for up to 3 years of graduate/professional study in any field or program at Stanford University. Applicants should demonstrate leadership and civic commitment and want to join a multidisciplinary community dedicated to finding creative solutions to the world’s greatest problems.

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Must apply within seven years of earning your first/bachelor’s degree.
• Applications are accepted from citizens of all countries, to ensure that KH Scholars have global impact.
• Must meet the requirements of the Stanford graduate program(s) that you wish to pursue.

National deadline: October

Knight-Hennessy website

Endorsement is not necessary, but UREF encourages candidates to seek our advisement on this very competitive award.

One of the most prestigious scholarships in the US, the Marshall funds one or two years of graduate study at a British university. The award includes full tuition, living allowance, book grant, thesis grant, research grant, and travel allowance.

Candidates must: 

• Be a US citizen
• Be a current or rising senior or have received the BA after the April two years prior to the year of application
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7
• Have an outstanding academic record, creative and original leadership experience, extensive community service, and ambassadorial potential

Campus deadline: July

National deadline: Late September

Marshall website

NOMINATION REQUIRED; APPLY THROUGH UREF ONLY

The Mitchell funds one year of postgraduate study at one of the universities in Ireland. The award includes full tuition, accommodations, living expenses, and an international travel stipend.

Candidates must:

• Be a US citizen
• Have a demonstrated record of intellectual distinction, leadership activity and extra-curricular activity
• Have a bachelor’s degree in hand prior to the beginning of graduate study
• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of application

National deadline: September

Mitchell website 

NOMINATION REQUIRED FOR CURRENT STUDENTS; APPLY THROUGH UREF ONLY

The EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship provides funds for two years of undergraduate study to current 2nd-year undergraduate students majoring in STEM fields that directly support the mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Participants get financial support for their remaining two years as undergraduates at UIC, and also conduct research at a NOAA facility during two paid summer internships; students receive a housing allowance and a stipend during the summer internships.

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Be a US citizen or US national
• Be currently enrolled as a full-time 2nd-year undergraduate student with two years of study remaining
• Be studying a discipline related to NOAA’s programs and mission at an accredited minority-serving institution (MSI), and UIC is one of those
• Earn and maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA

National Deadline: Late January

NOAA EPP/MSI website

The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. A goal of the program is to broaden participation of the full spectrum of diverse talents in STEM. The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support inclusive of an annual stipend of $37,000.

Candidates must:

• Be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident
• Intend to pursue a research-based Master’s or PhD program in an NSF-supported field
• Be enrolled in an eligible program at an accredited US graduate institution by the fall following your NSF application
• Have completed no more than twelve months of full-time graduate study (or the equivalent) as of the August 1 prior to this deadline

Deadlines vary by discipline: October-November

NSF Fellowship website

This opportunity is for graduating college seniors who are members of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society going on to graduate or professional school immediately after undergrad.

Phi Kappa Phi website

UIC STUDENTS APPLY THROUGH THE HONORS COLLEGE

The Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship provides up to $84,000 in benefits over a two-year graduate program (so up to $42,000 annually) in fields related to the Foreign Service, such as international relations, public policy, public administration, business, economics, management science, organizational development/leadership, sociology, and foreign languages. The fellowship includes two summer internships and professional development activities, all to prepare Fellows for a career in the US Foreign Service.

Candidates must:

• Be a US citizen
• Simultaneously be seeking admission to a 2-year, full-time graduate degree program in international affairs or a related field such as economics, history, political science, public administration, communications, public policy, business administration, or foreign languages (this excludes law school)
• Have a 3.2 GPA
• Be available for two summer internships

National deadline: September

Pickering Fellowship website

The Rangel Fellowship provides up to $84,000 in benefits over a two-year graduate program (so up to $42,000 annually) in fields related to the Foreign Service, such as international relations, public policy, public administration, business, economics, management science, organizational development/leadership, sociology, and foreign languages. The fellowship includes two summer internships and professional development activities, all to prepare Fellows for a career in the US Foreign Service.

Candidates must: 

• Be a US citizen
• Simultaneously be seeking admission to a 2-year, full-time graduate degree program in international affairs or a related field such as economics, history, political science, public administration, communications, public policy, business administration, or foreign languages (this excludes law school)
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Be available for two summer internships

National deadline: September

Rangel Fellowship website

One of the most prestigious scholarships in the world, Rhodes provides full funding for graduate study (or a second bachelor’s degree) at the University of Oxford in the UK.

Candidates for the US competition must: 

• Be a citizen of the United States OR a lawful permanent resident of the United States OR a U.S. resident with DACA status on April 15 in the year of application.
• Be at least 18 but not yet 24 years of age (i.e., the applicant must still be 23 on October 1 in the year of application).

Deadlines for the US competition: 

Campus deadline: July

National deadline: October

As of 2018, citizens of all nations may compete for the Rhodes, as long as they meet the overall selection criteria and the eligibility criteria appropriate to their country of citizenship. Contact UREF as early as possible if you wish to inquire about a Rhodes nomination in other constituencies outside the US, as these deadlines are typically earlier than in the US.

Rhodes website: all candidates

NOMINATION REQUIRED; APPLY THROUGH UREF ONLY

Provides a fully-funded year-long immersive academic and leadership program in Beijing. Schwarzman Scholars will study for a one-year Master’s degree in public policy, international relations, or economics and business at Tsinghua University. The Schwarzman is open to citizens of any country.

Candidates must:

• Demonstrate leadership potential
• Demonstrate strong intellectual capacity
• Demonstrate personal integrity and strong character
• Have the bachelor’s degree in hand before July of matriculation year

National deadline: September

Note: Chinese citizens must apply much earlier – see Schwarzman website for details.

Schwarzman website

Provides tuition and stipend assistance of up to $90,000 in support of graduate study in the US in any professional field or scholarly discipline.  Open to students who qualify as a “New American”: e.g. hold a Green Card, or be a naturalized citizen, or be a child of immigrant parents. The Soros Fellowship is open to immigrants or children of immigrants, regardless of legal status.

Candidates must: 

• Be a New American who is 30 or younger as of the application deadline
• Planning on starting or continuing an eligible graduate degree program full-time in the United States in the following academic year

National deadline: Late October

Soros Fellowship website

The Teaching Assistant Program in France offers you the opportunity to work in France, teaching English to French students of all ages.

Candidates must:

• Be between the ages of 20 and 35
• Be a US citizen or permanent resident
• Have strong English language skills
• Have intermediate proficiency in French

Deadline: January

TAPIF website

The Truman Scholarship is for current undergraduate students who demonstrate achievement in leadership, academics and public service, and who want a career related to public service. The award provides up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school.

Candidates must: 

• Be a college junior (or 3rd-year senior) at the time of application
• Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or US national
• Demonstrate significant leadership and a commitment to public service
• Plan to build a career in public service

Campus deadline: November

National deadline: February

Truman website

NOMINATION REQUIRED; APPLY THROUGH UREF ONLY

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship is offered on a merit basis to current sophomores and juniors in any of 3 categories:

1) To students who have demonstrated commitment to the environment and plan to pursue careers related to the environment; or
2) To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy; or
3) To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care.

Udall Scholars receive up to $7,000 towards tuition and other college expenses during the next academic year. They also attend a multi-day Udall Scholars Orientation in August in Tucson, AZ, all expenses paid, and will gain access to a nationwide network of environmental, Native American health, and tribal policy professionals.

Candidates must:

• Be a college sophomore or junior at the time of application
• Have a college GPA of at least “B”
• Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or US national
• Demonstrate commitment to their field as noted above

Campus deadline:  February

National deadline: March

Udall website

NOMINATION REQUIRED; APPLY THROUGH UREF ONLY