Scholarship Overview

Fellowship Reference Guide
Updated August 2009

 

The following is an overview of many popular national fellowship and scholarship programs. All are highly competitive! A successful application will require, at the least, a high GPA and strong references. Many have additional requirements. Some are limited to students in a particular major, working toward a specific career, or at a specific point in their college career – but there are so many great scholarship programs out there that you likely will find something of potential interest.

Please note that some of these programs allow you to apply on your own, but many of them require you to apply through your university and to be officially endorsed or nominated by your university. This process always takes time prior to the deadline date listed under the individual scholarship. Joan Hawthorne, UND's liason to national scholarship programs, coordinates UND’s efforts on behalf of scholarship/fellowship candidates, and you should check with her prior to pursuing any applications. You can contact her at 777-4684 or joan.hawthorne@email.und.edu.

You can access this list by scrolling down the page to see a listing of many different national scholarships and fellowships, each of which includes a description of applicable fields and the nature of the award.

ALFA Fellowship Program
Open to: Graduate – young professionals with a graduate degree, some Russian language, and two years work experience
Usual deadline: December
Fields: Social sciences and other – business, economics, journalism, law, politics, policy
Award: One year program offering intensive language study in the U.S., then in Russia, and then a suitable professional assignment in Russia (international)

 

AMBUCS Scholarship Program
Open to: Juniors, seniors, graduate students
Usual deadline: April
Fields: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and hearing audiology.
Award: Varies from $500 to $1,500 annually, with one two-year award totaling $6,000.

 

American Association of University Women Educational Foundation Fellowships
Open to: Graduate – women doctoral candidates and post-docs
Usual deadline: November
Fields: Arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences
Award: $20,000 PhD fellowship; $30,000 post-doc fellowship

 

American Political Science Association Minority Fellows Program
Open to: Graduates entering doctoral programs in political science with membership in racial/ethnic minority group members and financial need
Usual deadline: November
Fields: Political science
Award: $4,000 fellowship disbursed over two years.

 

American Scandinavian Foundation Academic Fellowships and Grants
Open to: Graduate students
Usual deadline: November
Fields: Any – research must demand presence in Scandinavian country
Award: $20,000 in fellowship, up to $4000 in grants for study in a Scandinavian country (international).
Note: language competency normally required

 

AMGEN Scholars Program
Open to: Undergrads – sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors
Usual deadline: February
Fields: Natural sciences, especially health-related
Award: Paid summer undergraduate research experience in one of ten premier research institutions, plus travel and expenses

 

Asia Pacific Education
Open to: Undergrads studying abroad in an eligible country
Usual deadline: April, August, December – depending on term of proposed study
Fields: Any for “General Study”; art, international business or international study, foreign languages for “STA Travel Scholarship”
Award: Varies (e.g., $500 vs. $2000); supports study in Asia-Pacific countries

 

AT&T Labs Summer Internship Program
Open to: Graduate, exceptional undergrads
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Any with interest in current research problems; see website for research areas.
Award: 10-12 week research experience plus travel

 

AT&T Labs Fellowship Program
Open to: seniors or students in their first or second year of grad school, female or members of a minority underrepresented in science fields (Hispanic, African-American, or Native American).
Usual deadline: January
Fields: computer science, math, statistics, electrical engineering, operations research, systems engineering, industrial engineering, or related fields.
Award: All educational expenses during the school year, including travel, summer study or university research, living expenses (currently $2380 per month, paid for 10 months of the year), conference attendance, a summer internship, and an AT&T mentor.

 

Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program
Open to: Graduate – ages 23-34, no German required, at least two years relevant work experience
Usual deadline: October
Fields: Social sciences and other – business administration, economics, journalism, law, political science, public policy
Award: German internships plus seminars and travel (international).

 

Carnegie Junior Fellows (pre-grad school; work as assistants to Carnegie Senior Fellows)
Open to: Graduates – apply as a senior who has not begun graduate study
Usual deadline: January 15
Fields: Social sciences and other – work in areas such as non-proliferation, democracy, trade, Asian affairs
Award: One year of work as a research assistant with a senior Carnegie Fellow, paying $33,000 plus benefits

 

The William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship
Open to: Students who have completed at least one year of full-time study
Usual deadline: Fall Semester – March 15, Spring Semester – October 15, and Summer Session – February 15.
Fields: Any, but with interest in study at the American University in Dubai
Award: Tuition for one term plus on-campus housing at the American University in Dubai

 

Congress Bundestag
Open to: Graduates and seniors who will soon graduate
Usual deadline: December
Fields: Any, but with some preference for business, technical, vocational
Award: Full year travel, study, and internship in Germany (including German language study – no previous background required), health insurance, accommodations, etc.

 

Consortion for Graduate Study in Management
Open to: Graduates – apply as a senior; Native American, African American, or Hispanic American, or who can demonstrate a commitment to the consortium’s diversity mission.
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Any undergrad discipline, aiming at graduate study in management
Award: Fellowship for graduate study

 

K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Awards (grad students, future higher ed leaders)
Open to: Graduates – grad students committed to academic and civic responsibility and leadership
Usual deadline: September
Fields: AnyAward: Provides travel, lodging, conference registration, and a one-year AAC&U affiliation, including periodicals subscriptions

 

Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes
Open to: Graduates and undergrads
Usual deadline: November
Fields: Any
Award: Travel, study, and all program expenses for summer institute language study in countries where “target languages” are spoken

 

Dan David Prize
Open to: Graduates – advanced doctoral students in fields appropriate to year’s topic
Usual deadline: March
Fields: Natural sciences, arts and humanities, social sciences, public service, business – with appropriate topics
Award: $15,000 for one year

 

Department of Energy Computational Science Grad Fellowship
Open to: Graduate students or seniors applying to grad school
Usual deadline: [Application available in late October]
Fields: Computational science
Award: Tuition and fees, small research allowance, $28,000 stipend; renewable up to four years

 

Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities Program
Open to: Graduates – apply as a senior or early in grad school; members of groups underrepresented within the professoriat
Usual deadline: November
Fields: Working toward PhD or ScD; committed to a career in college teaching; major in humanities, social sciences, or sciences
Award: Supports three years of graduate study, $20,000/year

 

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia
Open to: Undergrads – American students planning to study in East or Southeast Asia with demonstrated financial need
Usual deadline: October
Fields: Any
Award: Up to $3000 for a summer, $5000 for a semester, $7000 for an academic year (international)

 

Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Open to: Graduates: apply as seniors, recent grads, and grad students (U.S. citizens)
Usual deadline: October
Fields: Any field, but most plan a project that builds cultural understanding
Award: Covers expenses for a year of travel and living expenses for overseas study/research; some awards offered for English language teaching (international)
Note: language competency normally required

 

Gates Cambridge Scholars Program (Cambridge University
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors and prospective graduate students
Usual deadline: October
Fields: Any field of graduate study offered at Cambridge University
Award: Covers study at Cambridge (international)

 

German Academic Exchange Service (see also DAAD’s RISE internships)
Open to: Undergrads – sophomores or juniors; Graduates – seniors who are prospective grad students
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Any discipline but with clear research plan to be conducted in Germany
Award: 4-10 months of undergraduate study or research in Germany; one year of graduate study in Germany, plus travel costs and health insurance (international)

 

German Chancellor Scholarship
Open to: Graduates – “young professionals”
Usual deadline: October
Fields: Prefer government, social and policy sciences, law, journalism, communications, business, public service, humanities, arts, environmental affairs
Award: Language classes in U.S. and Germany, study or research project with a monthly stipend, travel, dependent allowance

 

Gilman International Scholarship Program
Open to: Undergrads – students with financial need who will be studying abroad during the academic year
Usual deadline: Depends on timing of study abroad experience
Fields: Any
Award: Up to $5000 for study abroad (must be a minimum of four weeks), with amount contingent on amount of Pell grant eligibility (international)

 

Gilman Critical Need Language Supplement
Open to: Undergrads – studying Arabic, Chinese, Turkic, Persian, Indic, Korean, or Russian
Usual deadline: Depends on timing of study abroad experience
Fields: Any
Award: Up to $3000 in additional study abroad funding for study involving a designated language (international)

 

Glamour’s Top 10 College Women Competition
Open to: Undergrads – junior women
Usual deadline: December
Fields: Any
Award: $5000 and round-trip to New York

 

Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors or recent grads with Golden Key membership
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Any discipline
Award: $10,000 for graduate study at accredited university anywhere in the world (international or domestic)

 

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program
Open to: Undergrads – sophomores, juniors
Usual deadline: February, with earlier UND deadline
Fields: Research careers in math, natural sciences, engineering
Award: Up to $7500 in expenses (tuition, fees, books, room and board) per year, 1-2 years

 

Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship Award
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors; intending to work toward PhD
Usual deadline: November
Fields: Natural sciences – applied physical sciences|
Award: $28,000/year, renewable for five years of doctoral study

 

Ernest D. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Open to: Undergrad – sophomores with GPA above 3.0
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Disciplines related to NOAA mission in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, or education, e.g., sciences, mathematic, engineering, computer and information sciences, and teacher education.
Award: Up to $8,000 per academic year, plus a paid internship at NOAA (housing provided), travel to program orientation and conference presentations.

 

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Predoctoral Fellowships|
Open to: Graduates – current medical students
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Natural sciences – medical and dental students
Award: One year of full-time biomedical research training

 

Samuel Huntington Public Service Award
Open to: New graduates – apply as seniors
Usual deadline: February
Fields: Any field as long as public service is the aim
Award: $10,000 to fund a year of public service anywhere in the world

 

Inter-American Foundation Fellowship
Open to: Graduates – PhD candidates
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Any but with “development” as a primary focus of proposed research
Award: Funds up to a year of on-site dissertation research in Latin America or the Caribbean, including research allowance, stipend, travel, health insurance

 

Intercollegiate Studies Institute
Open to: Graduates – or can apply as seniors
Usual deadline: February
Fields: Three variations, but all aimed at perpetuation of western civilization and traditional “American values” and “principles”
Award: Stipends vary from $5000 through $20,000, depending on applicable program

International Affairs Fellowships
Open to: Undergrads – sophomores who are underrepresented minorities
Usual deadline: March
Fields: Aimed at a career in international affairs
Award: Sophomores “summer policy institute” attendance, junior year abroad funding, junior policy institute, summer language institute, internship, and funding for an MS in International Affairs

 

Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program (U.S. Dept. of Education)
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors and recent graduates with demonstrated financial need
Usual deadline: October
Fields: PhD or MFA study in arts, humanities, social sciences
Award: Tuition, fees, and stipend for up to four years of graduate study

 

Knowles Science Teaching Foundation
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors and recent graduates
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Science, engineering, or math, with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree and aiming at a career in secondary teaching – but applicant must not yet hold a teaching credential
Award: Tuition assistance, stipend, mentor support, summer professional development – renewable up to five years

 

Kobe College Corporation
Open to: Graduates – students who intend to teach
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Any except professional degree programs; must include Japan connection
Award: $24,000 for one year of research in Japan (international)

 

The Language Flagship
Open to: Graduates – recent grad who has basic knowledge of a target language
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Other – Arabic, Chinese, Hindi/Urdu, Korean, Persian/Farsi, Russian, Central Asian
Award: Supports all expenses for two years of study, one in the U.S. (at a designated flagship language institution) and one overseas, in a target language (international)

 

James Madison Graduate Fellowships
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors and recent grads
Usual deadline: March
Fields: Social sciences – American history or political science, with an intent to teach grades 7-12
Award: Actual costs, up to $24,000 cap, for two years of study toward master’s degree, with 12 semester hours focused on the constitution; half of those 12 hours to be earned through Summer Institute at Georgetown University
Note: there is a two year service requirement in secondary education post degree

 

Marshall Scholarships (United Kingdom)
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors and recent grads
Usual deadline: October
Fields: Any
Award: Two years of study in a British university (international)

 

Math for American
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors and recent grads with a knowledge of math
Usual deadline: February
Fields: Any as long as person has a strong math background (18 college credits)
Award: Participants complete a master’s degree while teaching in NYC, Los Angeles, or San Diego and earning a full-time teacher’s salary
Note: this program represents a five year commitment which includes time to achieve the master’s degree in teaching as well as a post-degree teaching commitment

 

George J. Mitchell Scholarships (Ireland)
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors, prospective graduate students
Usual deadline: October
Fields: Any discipline
Award: One year of graduate study at any university in Ireland (international)

 

National Institute of Health Undergraduate Scholarships
Open to: Undergrads – disadvantaged students in an undergrad degree program
Usual deadline: March
Fields: Natural sciences – biomedical, behavioral, and social science research careers at NIH
Award: Tuition and living expenses up to $20,000/year; for one year but renewable
Note: there is an obligation to work at NIH during summers and after graduation

 

National Network for Environmental Management Studies
Open to: Undergrads and graduates; must have completed at least four courses related to the field of environmental studies
Usual deadline: February
Fields: Pursuing an educational program related to pollution control or environmental protection
Award: Stipend paid monthly during project duration, amount varies

 

National Security Education Program—Undergraduate (David L. Boren)
Open to: Undergrads
Usual deadline: February
Fields: Any major, but language must be the study abroad focus
Award: Study abroad in an area of critical U.S. interest; up to $20,000 for an academic year or $8000 for a summer (international)
Note: there is a post-graduate requirement to seek employment at an appropriate U.S. governmental agency

 

National Security Education Program—Graduate (David L. Boren)
Open to: Graduates
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Any geographic area, language, or field of study deemed critical to national security, with an international focus, especially science and engineering
Award: One semester to two years of study, normally including international study, maximum $30,000 (international)
Note: there is a post-graduate requirement to seek employment at an appropriate U.S. governmental agency

 

National Science Foundation (see also Research Experience for Undergrads)
Open to: Graduates – students in the early phases of study
Usual deadline: November, various dates depending on fields
Fields: Natural sciences, mathematics, engineering
Award: Three years of support toward a research-based graduate degree

 

Frank Newman Leadership Award|
Open to: Undergrads – sophomores and juniors
Usual deadline: March
Fields: Any – public engagement and civic leadership focus
Award: $5000 for “civic and academic” goals plus mentoring by campus president

 

Newhouse Fellow Program
Open to: Undergrads – seniors from historically under­represented minority groups|
Usual deadline: February
Fields: Any, excluding journalism
Award: full tuition for 18 months of graduate study leading to the master’s degree at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, $1,400-per-month stipends, health insurance, moving expenses, professional travel, etc.

 

Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships
Open to: Graduates – candidates for Ph.D. or Th.D. degrees, writing on topics where ethical or religious values are a central concern.
Usual deadline: November
Fields: Humanities and social sciences
Award: Support the final year of work on Ph.D. dissertations

 

Truman D. Picard Scholarship
Open to: Undergrads – Native American college students
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Natural Resources
Award: $2,000

 

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship and Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Undergraduate | Graduate
Open to: Undergrads – U.S. citizens in their sophomore year; Graduates – seniors applying to grad school
Usual deadline: February
Fields: Social sciences, other – programs relevant to international affairs, analysis, and policy
Award: Undergrad covers all college expenses for junior and senior years, plus one year of grad school, plus travel; grad covers two years grad school and two internships (international)
Note: there is a service requirement with the Foreign Service

 

Princeton Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
Open to: Undergrad – sophomore or junior with a serious interest in pursuing a Ph.D. at an institution like Princeton
Usual deadline: February
Fields: Humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering
Award: Summer research experience with stipend of $3,750, room and board, travel reimbursement

 

Public Policy and International Affairs Program Fellowship Program
Open to: Undergrads – junior committed to completing an MA/MS in public and/or international affairs at one of the PPIA Consortium graduate schools.
Usual deadline: November
Fields: Any
Award: Summer Institute program, at least $5000 toward MA/MS tuition, stipend, eligibility for internships and other professional development opportunities

 

Research Experience for Undergrads (REU)
Open to: Undergrads, usually with prior research experience
Usual deadline: February or March
Fields: Science, math, technology; but also some social science and education
Award: Summer research opportunity with stipend; often includes some travel funding, room and board (varies by institutional host)

 

Rhodes Scholarships
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors, recent grads
Usual deadline: October
Fields: Any
Award: Travel, education costs, expenses for two years of study at the University of Oxford; possibility of renewal for third year (international)

 

Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
Open to: Undergrads -- students who have completed at least two years of college study
Usual deadline: Spring (date dependent on local Rotary Club deadline)
Fields: Any fields with a humanitarian connection
Award: Up to $25,000 for one year of academic study in another country (international)
Note: requires language skills appropriate to the host country

 

Scotland USA Graduate Scholarships
Open to: Graduates – apply as juniors
Usual deadline: July
Fields: Any – but for study at designated universities in Scotland
Award: 2000 pounds (value in dollars varies) toward a Master’s degree program (international)

 

Scoville Peace & Security Fellowship
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors
Usual deadline: October and January, depending on semester of project
Fields: Related to peace, weaponry, the environment, international security, regional conflict, etc.
Award: Six to nine months of fellowship appointment, including travel and monthly stipend, in a participating non-profit addressing peace and security issues

 

Simon Fellowship for Noble Purpose from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Aimed at “strengthening civil society” and its “moral and spiritual” dimensions
Award: $40,000 to go out and do something “good”

 

SMART Scholarship
Open to: Undergrads and graduates
Usual deadline: December
Fields: Sciences, math, engineering, technology
Award: $25,000-$41,000 per year depending on prior educational experience, and full tuition
Note: there is a service requirement in a Department of Defense lab or agency

 

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Open to: Graduates – apply as seniors, recent grads, new grad students; must also be green card holder, naturalized citizen, or the offspring of two naturalized citizens
Usual deadline: November
Fields: Any, but with a deep commitment to principles of the U.S. Constitution
Award: $20,000 in living expenses plus one-half the cost of tuition

 

Think Swiss Research Scholarship
Open to: Undergrads (sophomore or higher) and graduates
Usual deadline: March
Fields: Any, but with an invitation from a professor at a Swiss university to provide you with a research stay in his/her group
Award: A two or three month stipend while conducting research in a Swiss institution
Note: while language skills are not required, knowledge of German, French, or Italian is helpful for daily life

 

Truman
Open to: Undergrads – juniors
Usual deadline: February, with an earlier UND deadline
Fields: Social sciences and other – careers in government, non-profits, public service
Award: up to $30,000 in graduate school funding

 

Morris K. Udall Foundation Scholarship
Open to: Undergrads – sophomores, juniors
Usual deadline: March
Fields: Social sciences and other – committed to a career in the environment (broadly defined), tribal public policy or Native American health care
Award: Up to $5000 in scholarship funding

U.S. Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowships
Open to: Graduates – prospective and early-stage doctoral students
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Social sciences and natural sciences – study in fields essential to national defense
Award: Three years of graduate study funding

 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Open to: Undergrads and early-stage graduates
Usual deadline: January
Fields: Heavily natural sciences, engineering, technology, but also selected humanities and social sciences fields
Award: Undergrad scholarship includes two years of living allowance plus tuition and fees; grad fellowship includes three years of a monthly stipend plus tuition and fees