Internal Nomination or Review Required
Boren Scholarship (undergraduate study abroad)
Highly competitive study abroad scholarship funding U.S. undergraduate students in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili. 
- Eligibility: Undergraduates (all levels); must be U.S. Citizen
- Award: Up to $20,000
- Deadlines:
- Internal: January 1, 2024
- National: January 31, 2024
- Notes: Applicants will have to identify how their study abroad program, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, broadly defined (includes sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness). Students studying abroad for a 2 semesters or for 1 summer + on summer (can be different programs) will be given priority. Winners must also agree to the NSEP Service Requirement.
- On the Web: Boren Scholarship
Critical Language Scholarship (summer language study)
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In 2006, its inaugural year, the CLS Program offered intensive overseas study in the critical need foreign languages of Arabic, Bangla, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish and Urdu. In 2013, approximately 600 scholarships were awarded for thirteen languages, including Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu. CLS is an overseas, group-based program that takes place each summer. Program sites, dates, and overseas institutional partners may vary from year to year.
- Eligibility: All applicants must be U.S. citizens; applicants must be currently enrolled in a U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level; current undergraduate students must have completed at least one year of general college course-work by program start date (one year is defined as two semesters or three quarters).
- Award: Airfare, tuition, room and board, cultural program expenses, overseas health benefits, and applicable visa fees – are fully covered for all participants. Participants receive a small stipend to cover incidental expenses and meals not provided by the program. The CLS Program provides undergraduate academic credit through Bryn Mawr College. Upon completion of the program, participants also receive a certified American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) score.
- Deadlines:
- Suggested Internal: October 13, 2023
- National: TBD (Early November 2023)
- Notes: Many specific language options assume that you have no experience with the language (you can enter as a beginner)
- On the Web: Critical Language Scholarship Program
Gilman Scholarship (undergraduate study abroad)
Grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, career oriented internships abroad. Over 2,300 scholarships will be awarded this academic year. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need.
- Eligibility: Pell Grant recipient; U.S. Citizen
- Award: Up to $5,000
- Deadlines:
- October 5, 2023 11:59 Pacific Time : for study abroad or internship programs beginning between December 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024
- March 7, 2024 11:59 Pacific Time: for study abroad or internship programs beginning between May 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025
- Notes: Those who apply for and receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad are then eligible to receive a Critical Need Language Award from the Gilman Scholarship Program of $8,000. Applicants who are studying a critical need language while abroad will automatically be considered for the Critical Need Language Award (check website for qualifying languages).
- On the Web: Gilman Scholarship
- Contact: The NCA office will assist applicants with the preparation of materials and application submission. However, applicants must also contact Sarah Simmonite at the Center for International Education for planning and approval of study abroad opportunities.
Goldwater Scholarship (sophomore, junior; math, science)
The premier award for undergraduates preparing for careers in engineering, math, and the natural sciences. Applicants are evaluated based on outstanding academic performance and potential for careers in related areas. Pre-medical students may apply only if their career interest is research rather than clinical. Institutional nomination required. About 320 awards are given each year. WU can only nominate four students.
- Eligibility: Current sophomores or juniors with research experience and strong mentor support.Applicants must work through the NCA office to receive internal nomination.
- Award: Maximum of $7,500 annually, covers eligible undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board(for one or two years, depending on whether student wins as a junior or as a sophomore).
- Deadlines:
- Pre-application: October 28th, 2023, 5 PM
- Internal: November 28th, 2023, 5 PM
- National: January 26th, 2024, 5 PM CT
- Notes: research experience will help you be more competitive, but a high GPA is essential as well: past winners have had between a 3.3 and 3.95 GPA
- On the Web: Goldwater Scholarship
Rotary Global Grants (juniors and seniors; international grad study)
Rotary Foundation Global Grants support graduate studies overseas for graduating seniors and recent graduates. Graduates pursue degrees leading to sustainable high-impact outcomes in one or more of the seven Areas of Focus, which include Peace & Conflict Resolution, Disease Prevention & Treatment, Maternal & Child Health, Economic & Community Development, Basic Education & Literacy, Environmental Protection and Water & Sanitation.
- Eligibility: Junior, Senior, or recent graduate with plans to pursue overseas studies in one of six Areas of Focus. Open to international students as well as U.S. citizens.
- Award: up to $45,000 for overseas graduate study.
- Deadlines:
- Internal: April 1st, 2024
- District: July 1st, 2024
- District Interviews: August 20th, 2024
- Note: April applicants would plan on graduate study beginning the fall after the current calendar year. This means that a graduating senior applicant would anticipate a gap year before the program begins if selected.
- Notes: Although there is not official nomination process, the NCA office works closely with the local Rotary district to recruit applicants and process their applications internally before the district deadline.
- More on the Areas of Focus and Attributes of Successful Grant Applications: Rotary Areas of Focus in Detail (note that only a portion of the linked site covers scholarships)
- Download Rotary Application
- Rotary Application Template — offers guidance
- Download detailed timeline for this awards cycle
Truman Scholarship (junior; public service)
Prestigious award graduate school of any type in preparation for a career in public service (broadly conceived). Truman scholars may attend graduate schools in the United States or in foreign countries. Institutional nomination required. About 75 awards are given each year. CofC can only nominate four students.
- Eligibility: College junior U.S. citizens who plan to attend graduate school, are committed to a career in public service, and have high academic standing. CofC nomination required.
- Award: $30,000. Scholars are eligible to receive $3,000 for the senior year of undergraduate education and $27,000 for graduate studies. Award also includes leadership program and networking opportunities.
- Deadlines:
- Indicate interest by: TBD
- Internal: TBD
- National: TBD
- Notes: Applicants must be a “change agent” with a sustained record of public service and academic achievement evidenced my leadership positions.
- On the web: Truman Scholarship
Udall Scholarship (environment)
For undergraduate students who intend to pursue careers related to the environment–this includes policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, economics, and other related fields–or for Native American and Alaska Native undergraduate students who intend to pursue careers in health care and tribal public policy. Institutional nomination required. About 80 awards are given each year. CofC can only nominate six students.
- Eligibility: Current sophomores or juniors who have been proposed by a member of the CofC faculty. The nomination committee cannot consider applications from students who have not been proposed in this fashion. 3.0 GPA minimum.
- Award: $5,000 for one academic year and formal scholar orientation in Tucson, AZ (Students who win as sophomores can apply again as juniors.)
- Deadlines:
- Internal: Early February
- National: Early March (TBA)
- On the Web: Udall Scholarship
Internal Review Available
Fulbright US-UK Summer Institutes (first-year, sophomore; summer abroad)
The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers highly competitive, special Summer Institutes for US citizens to come to the UK. These summer programmes provide the opportunity for US undergraduates (aged over 18), with at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete, to come to the UK on a three, four, five or six week academic and cultural summer programme. Participants in these programmes will get the opportunity to experience an exciting academic programme at a highly regarded UK University, explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK and develop their academic ability by improving presentation, research and communication skills.
- Eligibility: undergraduates with at least years left of study to complete.
- Award: The Summer Institutes will cover the majority of participant costs. This includes round-trip airfare from the US to the UK, tuition and fees at the host university/institution, accommodation and meals and in some cases a small daily allowance.
- Deadlines:
- Suggested internal deadline: Early January (TBA)
- National: Early February (TBA)
- Notes: This award is looking for students without significant UK or international experience
- On the Web: Summer Institutes
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
A reciprocal exchange program between the United States and Germany, designed to strengthen ties and understanding between the people of both countries. The fellowship is annually awarded to 75 American and 75 German young professionals, and is funded by the German Bundestag and the U.S. Congress through the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). CBYX participants act as ambassadors of their home country and culture while immersing themselves in the academic, professional, and everyday life of their host culture.
75 American participants are selected annually to participate in a program of cultural immersion that includes intensive language training, university study, an internship in a German-speaking work environment, and accommodation in a German home or student residence. The program provides participants with first-hand experience in many aspects of German life and culture. CBYX participants are between the ages of 18-24, have well-defined career goals, have some prior experience in their career fields. Participants come from a wide range of career fields, and possess strengths such as independence, flexibility, and diplomacy. Please see Eligibility for more information.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen aged 18-24
- Award: language training, academic study, and internship. Although this is a funded fellowship program, participants must pay for their transportation to the orientation seminar in Washington, D.C. and for all of their transportation from the evaluation seminar in New York City at the end of the year. Participants also need to bring spending money for the year—we suggest € 250–300 per month for the duration of the program.
- Deadline: November 1, 2023 for programs starting July 2024
- Notes: The program includes two months of intensive language training upon your arrival in Germany. We strongly recommend that applicants and participants have some German language skills prior to departure, but there are a number of participants every year who speak little or no German at the beginning of the program.
Cultural Vistas Fellowship (international professional dev.
Fellowship affords underrepresented U.S. university students the unique opportunity to advance their career goals, develop global competencies, and experience life in another culture. Cultural Vistas will select up to 12 fellows to take part in this multinational professional development program that includes eight-week summer internships in Argentina, Germany, and Singapore.
- Eligibility: Juniors or seniors, U.S. citizens with no formal prior work or study abroad experiences, some academic or practical experience (volunteer or work) in sustainability, environmental awareness, engineering, and related sciences. Prior knowledge of language of host country for relevant countries (Argentina and Germany; English is acceptable for Singapore).
- Award: all costs associated with the program
- Deadline: December 11 by 11:59 pm EST
- On the Web: Cultural Vistas
DAAD German Academic Exchange Undergraduate Scholarship
Highly qualified undergraduate students are invited to apply for scholarships funding study, senior thesis research and/or internships in Germany. The goal of this program is to support study abroad in Germany and at German universities. Preference will be given to students whose projects or programs are based at and organized by a German university. Scholarships are available either as part of an organized study abroad program or as part of an individual, student-designed study abroad semester or year. Other opportunities supported by DAAD for sophomores and juniors that you migth check out include Research Internships and Summer Course Grants.
- Eligibility: sophomores and juniors, German language not mandatory depending on area / place of study.
- Award: Scholarships may be granted for a minimum of four (one semester) and a maximum of 10 months (one academic year). Recipients will be awarded a monthly stipend of approximately € 650, plus additional funds to help defray travel and research expenses as well as health insurance.
- Deadline: Varies by program
- On the Web: DAAD
Hollings Scholarship (oceanic & atmospheric science and education)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings (Hollings) scholarship program is designed to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities; increase public understanding and support for stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere and improve environmental literacy; recruit and prepare students for public service careers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other natural resource and science agencies at the federal, state and local levels of government; and recruit and prepare students for careers as teachers and educators in oceanic and atmospheric science and to improve scientific and environmental education in the United States.
- Eligibility: sophomores (or juniors if taking a fifth year) studying biological, life, and agricultural sciences; physical sciences; mathematics; engineering; computer and information sciences; social and behavioral science; and teacher education.
- Award: The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to a maximum of $9,500 per year) for full-time study during the 9-month academic year; a 10-week, full-time internship position during the summer at a NOAA facility; and, if reappointed, academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000) for full-time study during a second 9-month academic year.
- Deadline:
- Suggested Internal Deadline: December 1, 2023
- National Deadline: January 31, 2024
- On the Web: Hollings Scholarship
Humanity in Action Fellowship Program (summer, international)
Intensive and demanding, the Humanity in Action Fellowship brings together international groups of university students and recent graduates to explore national histories of discrimination and resistance, as well as examples of issues affecting different minority groups today. Each program is highly interdisciplinary and features daily lectures and discussions with renowned academics, journalists, politicians and activists, as well as site visits to government agencies, non-profit and community organizations, museums and memorials. The programs seek to highlight different models of action to remedy injustice. In 2012 there were over 500 applicants for 42 U.S. fellowships.
- Eligibility: Applicants to the Humanity in Action Fellowship must be currently enrolled undergraduate students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors), or recent graduates (for the 2014 Fellowship, this means undergraduate classes of 2012 and 2013) at accredited, four-year undergraduate colleges or universities in the United States
- Award: Humanity in Action covers the costs of participation and accommodation during the fellowship. However, all Fellows will be responsible for financing the cost of airfare to participate in the program. Humanity in Action will cover this cost for all Fellows with documented need.
- Deadline: Late January 2024 (TBA)
- On the Web: Humanity in Action
Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Undergraduate Fellowship
Fellowship funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The Department of State seeks a Foreign Service that reflects the diversity and excellence of our society. The Fellowship is designed to attract outstanding individuals from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career with the U.S. Department of State.
- Eligibility: applicants must be U.S. Citizens in their junior year with a GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Award: Up to $32,000 per year for senior year and first year of graduate school
- Deadline: September 21, 2023
- On the Web: Pickering Fellowship