Below is a list of major nationally competitive scholarships and their sponsors. This compilation of organizations reflects only the most prominent sponsors. The list is not inclusive of all scholarships available to college students and award-granting organizations can request to be added to the list. To find more awards, you can do searches on Internet search engines such as Google, and you should seek out the person on your campus who is responsible for helping students in their quest for major scholarships, or the person who is listed as the faculty representative on the sponsoring organization's web site, or, if all else fails, a faculty member who will work with you.
Preparing for these scholarships is an educational experience that will serve you well, and the preparation for those listed here will assist you in all that you may apply for.
Fellowship Announcements
International Dissertation Research Fellowship
The Social Science Research Council and the American Council of Learned Societies announce the 2007 competition of the INTERNATIONAL DISSERTATION RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (IDRF) program designed to support distinguished graduate students in the humanities and social sciences conducting dissertation research outside the United States. Fifty fellowships of approximately $20,000 will be awarded in 2007 with funds provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The IDRF program is committed to scholarship that advances knowledge about non-U.S. cultures and societies grounded in empirical and site-specific research (involving fieldwork, research in archival or manuscript collections, or quantitative data collection). The program promotes research that is at once located in a specific discipline and geographical region and is engaged with interdisciplinary and cross-regional perspectives.
Applicants must have completed all Ph.D. requirements except on-site dissertation research by the time the fellowship begins or by December 2007, whichever comes first. Fellowships will provide support for nine to twelve months of dissertation research. The fellowship must be held for a single continuous period within the eighteen months between July 2007 and December 2008.
For more detailed information on application procedures and eligibility requirements, visit the IDRF website at www.ssrc.org/programs/idrf or contact program staff at idrf@ssrc.org.
Deadline: November 1, 2006.
Awards for students at any American university
DAAD Scholarships
The German Academic Exchange Service, or "DAAD" as it's known by its German acronym, provides support for over 70,000 people every year, making it the largest international exchange organization in the world. DAAD is a publicly-funded, self-governing membership organization of the higher education institutions in Germany. The organization was founded in 1925 by the German student Carl Joachim Friedrich, who obtained 13 fellowships from the Institute of International Education for Germans in the social sciences.
The New York office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) was founded in 1971 to support academic exchange between the US, Canada, and Germany. They offer grants and scholarships for undergraduates through faculty members to spend time in or conduct research on Germany. Some programs include intensive language grants, support for conferences, the "High Tech in Germany" summer program for engineers, graduate grants for research/study, a study scholarship for graduating seniors, and much more.
Web site: http://www.daad.org
Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships For Minorities
To increase the presence of underrepresented minorities on the nation's college and university faculties, to enhance diversity on campuses, and to address the persisting effects of past discrimination, the Ford Foundation offers predoctoral fellowships to members of six minority groups whose underrepresentation in the professoriate has been severe and long-standing. The fellowship program identifies individuals with demonstrated ability and provides them the opportunity to engage in graduate study leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree. These successful scholars then inspire other students of color to pursue an academic career in teaching and research.
Web site: http://www.fordfound.org
Fulbright
The U.S. Student Program is designed to give recent B.S./B.A. graduates, masters and doctoral candidates, and young professionals and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience. Several countries also offer English Teaching Assistant positions. Most grantees plan their own programs. Projects may include university coursework, independent library or field research, classes in a music conservatory or art school, special projects in the social or life sciences, or a combination. Recent projects have involved cancer research in the UK, free market development in Mauritius, women's rights in Chile and contemporary artistic expression in India. Along with opportunities for intellectual, professional, and artistic growth, the Fulbright Program offers invaluable opportunities to meet and work with people of the host country, sharing daily life as well as professional and creative insights. The program promotes cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding on a person-to-person basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom. The best way to appreciate others viewpoints, their beliefs, the way they think, and the way they do things, is to interact with them directly on an individual basis work with them, live with them, teach with them, learn with them, and learn from them.
Web site: http://www.iie.org/fulbright
Gates/Cambridge
In establishing the Gates Cambridge Scholars program, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hopes to create a network of future leaders from around the world who will bring new vision and commitment to improving the life circumstances of citizens in their respective countries. Over time, it is anticipated that Gates Cambridge Scholars will become leaders in helping to address global problems related to health, equity, technology, and learning - all areas that the Foundation is deeply engaged in.
The program will offer a substantial number of scholarships for study as an affiliated student or to pursue taught or research courses of postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.
Web site: http://www.gates.scholarships.cam.ac.uk
Golden Key
Graduate Scholar Award gives twelve $10,000 scholarships used for post-baccalaureate or professional study at accredited institutions of higher learning (does not have to be in the U.S. or have a Golden Key chapter). Judging criteria include academic merit, campus/community/work commitments and significant involvement in local Golden Key chapter. Recipients must plan to enroll in graduate school in the fall of year received. Member does not have to be a U.S. citizen; member can apply up to five years after graduation; applicants may continue to re-apply as long as they are eligible, but previous recipients may not re-apply.
Web site: http://www.goldenkey.org
Goldwater
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually.
Web site: http://www.act.org/goldwater
The Hertz Foundation
The Hertz Foundation's Graduate Fellowship award, which is based on merit (not need) consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a personal-support stipend. The cost-of-education allowance is accepted by all of the tenable schools in lieu of all fees and tuition. Hertz Fellows therefore have no liability for any ordinary educational costs, regardless of their choice among tenable schools.
The personal stipend, paid over the nine-month academic year, is $25,000 for Fellowships awarded for the 2001-2002 academic year. The Fellowship award is renewable annually (upon a showing of satisfactory progress toward receipt of the Ph.D. degree) for a total Fellowship tenure of no more than five years. Fellows must attend one of the Foundation's tenable schools.
Web site: http://www.hertzfndn.org
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Predoctoral Fellowships in Biological Sciences
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute will award at least 80 five-year fellowships for full-time study toward a Ph.D. or an Sc.D. degree in the biological sciences. The fellowships are intended for students who have completed less than one year of graduate study toward an M.S., a Ph.D., or an Sc.D. degree in the biological sciences. Students who hold or are pursuing medical or dental degrees (M.D., D.O., D.V.M., D.D.S.) may also be eligible to apply for fellowship support for study toward a Ph.D. or an Sc.D.
Web site: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/fellowships/HHMI_Predoctoral.html
Jacob K. Javits Fellowship
The program provides financial assistance to students of superior ability, as demonstrated by their achievements and exceptional promise, to undertake study at the doctoral and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) level in selected fields of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Panels of experts appointed by the Javits Fellowship Board (Board) select fellows according to criteria established by the Board. Students must also demonstrate financial need by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Web site: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/HEP/iegps/javits.html
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers four separate competitions: one for students entering graduate programs; the second for student currently attending community colleges and planning to transfer to four year institutions; the third for eighth grade students; and the fourth for spouses and dependants of victims of September 11 or the 2001 anthrax attacks. The Graduate scholarship requires the institution to nominate no more than two students for the award. The scholarship is given to approximately 65 students each year.
Web site: http://www.jackkentcookefoundation.org/scholar
James Madison
Junior Fellowships are awarded to students who are about to complete, or have recently completed, their undergraduate course of study and plan to begin graduate work on a full-time basis. Junior Fellows have two years to complete their degree. The Fellowships are intended exclusively for graduate study leading to a masters degree. James Madison Fellows can attend any accredited institution of higher education in the United States. Each individual entering the James Madison Fellowship Program will be expected to pursue and complete a masters degree in one of the following (listed in order of preference): Master of Arts degree (MA) in American history or in political science (also referred to as "government and politics" or as "government"); Master of Arts in Teaching degree (MAT) concentrating on either American Constitutional history (in a history department) or American government, political institutions and political theory (in a political science department); Master of Education degree (MEd) or the Master of Arts or Master of Science in Education, with a concentration in American history or American government, political institutions, and political theory. The maximum amount of each award is $24,000, prorated over the period of study.
Web site: http://www.jamesmadison.com
The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management is an alliance of fourteen schools of business in partnership with corporate America, working to facilitate the entry of minorities into managerial positions in business. The Consortium recruits college-trained African American, Hispanic American, and Native American United States citizens and invites them to compete for merit-based fellowships for graduate study leading to a Master's Degree in Business.
Web site: http://www.cgsm.org
Marshall
Marshall Scholarships finance approximately 40 young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom each year. The Scholarships are tenable at any British university and cover two years of study in any discipline, at either undergraduate or graduate level, leading to the award of a British University degree.
The Scholarships were founded by an Act of Parliament in 1953 and commemorate the humane ideals of the European Recovery Programme (Marshall Plan). They are funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and administered by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission in the UK (for which the Association of Commonwealth Universities provides the Secretariat) and in the US by the British Embassy in Washington DC and seven regional Consulates-General.
Web site: http://www.marshallscholarship.org
Mellon
Suspended until further notice
The Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies are designed to help exceptionally promising students prepare for careers of teaching and scholarship in humanistic disciplines. The Mellon Fellowship is a competitive award for first-year doctoral students. Fellows may take their awards to any accredited graduate program in the United States or Canada. For the year 2002, 85 Fellowships will be available. The Fellowship covers graduate tuition and required fees for the first year of graduate study and includes a stipend of $17,500. There have been more than 1,800 Fellows since the competition began in 1982.
Web site: http://www.woodrow.org/mellon
Mitchell
The US-Ireland Alliance has established the George J. Mitchell Scholarships to educate future American leaders about the island of Ireland and to provide tomorrow's leaders with an understanding about, an interest in, and an affinity with, the island from which 44 million Americans claim descent. Twelve Scholarships were awarded in both the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 academic years. Scholars are eligible to attend institutions of higher learning in Ireland, including the seven universities in the Republic of Ireland and the two universities in Northern Ireland, for one academic year of graduate study.
Web site: http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/scholarships.html
National Science Foundation
Among the NSF programs of interest to graduate students is the Graduate Research Fellowship Awards. Through this program the National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science, mathematics, engineering and the social sciences in the United States and to reinforce its diversity.
The NSF awards approximately 1,000 new three-year Graduate Research Fellowships in March of each year. NSF Fellows are expected to contribute significantly to research, teaching, and industrial applications in science, mathematics, and engineering.
Applicants must be United States citizens or nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States. Those eligible to apply are college seniors, first-year graduate students, and others who have completed a limited amount of graduate study in science, mathematics, or engineering. Women who intend to pursue graduate degrees in engineering or in computer and information science and engineering and who meet the eligibility requirements above can apply for the additional WENG or WICS awards.
Web site: http://www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/grf
National Security Education Program: David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships
The National Security Education Program (NSEP) provides a unique funding opportunity for U.S. students to study world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East). The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
NSEP was designed to provide Americans with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experiences in areas of the world critical to the future security of our nation, in exchange for a commitment to seek work in the federal government. As students of other cultures and languages, NSEP Boren Scholars and Fellows begin to acquire the international competence needed to communicate effectively across borders, to understand other perspectives, and to analyze economic and political affairs.
The National Security Education Program includes three components:
- The National Security Education Program David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships for Study Abroad offers opportunities for U.S. students to study in world regions critical to U.S. interests but generally underrepresented in study abroad.
- The National Security Education Program David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships encourages U.S. graduate students to add an important language component to their educations.
- The National Flagship Language Program offers advanced language training in Arabic, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Persian, or Russian.
NSEP is merit based. The maximum NSEP Boren Scholarship award is $8,000 for a summer, $10,000 for a semester, and $20,000 for an academic year. The maximum NSEP Boren Fellowship awards generally vary between $12,000 and $30,000.
For more information please contact IIE/NSEP at 1-800-618-NSEP or nsep@iie.org.
Web site: http://www.iie.org/nsep
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
Each year, Phi Kappa Phi offers 52 Fellowships of $8,000 each and 30 Awards of Excellence of $1,500 each. Every chapter has the opportunity to submit one nominee and each person nominated receives an Active-For-Life membership in the Society. Since the Fellowship Program's inception, more than 2,000 students have benefited.
The multidisciplinary nature of Phi Kappa Phi is reflected in its Fellowship and Award of Excellence recipients. Awardees represent a variety of fields including biology, chemistry, engineering, political science, mathematics and psychology. Likewise, the professions they select are equally diverse: law, medicine, business, education, science, or the arts.
Web site: http://www.phikappaphi.org
Rhodes
The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest international fellowships, were initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, and bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to the University of Oxford. The first American Scholars were elected in 1904.
Rhodes Scholars are elected for two years of study at the University of Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. All educational costs, such as matriculation, tuition, laboratory and certain other fees, are paid on the Scholar's behalf by the Rhodes Trustees. Each Scholar receives in addition a maintenance allowance adequate to meet necessary expenses for term-time and vacations. The Rhodes Trustees cover the necessary costs of travel to and from Oxford, and upon application, may approve additional grants for research purposes or study-related travel.
Web site: http://www.rhodesscholar.org
Rotary International
The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program is Ambassadorial Scholarships, established in 1947. Since that time, more than 30,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today, the Ambassadorial Scholarships Program of The Rotary Foundation is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program. Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships provide funding for one academic year of study in another country. This award is intended to help cover round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and board expenses, and some educational supplies up to US$25,000 or its equivalent.
Web site: http://www.rotary.org/foundation
SMART Scholarship for Service Program
The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is part of a highly concentrated effort to improve the flow of new, highly skilled technical labor into the Department of Defense (DoD). The purpose is to promote the education, recruitment and retention of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in science, mathematics, and engineering studies; the DoD is also interested in supporting the education of future scientists and engineers in a number of interdisciplinary areas. SMART Scholars are awarded an annual stipend, full tuition, required fees, health insurance, and up to $1000 book allowance per year. The SMART Program will allow individuals to acquire an education in exchange for a period of employment with the Department of Defense. The program is intended for citizens of the United States; students must be at least 18 years of age at the time of award. Application opens August 15, 2008 and the deadline is December 15, 2008.
Web site: http://www.asee.org/smart
Soros
The purpose of The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans is to provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen fields and to partake of the American dream. Fellows must have shown potential in the fields for which they seek further education; the capacity for creativity, persistence and work; and the commitment to the values of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which protect the American dream. The Program is established in recognition of the contributions New Americans have made to American life and in gratitude for the opportunities the United States has afforded the donors and their family.
Each year the Fellow receives a maintenance grant of $20,000 (paid in two installments) and a tuition grant of one-half the tuition cost of the U.S. graduate program attended by the Fellow.
Web site: http://www.pdsoros.org
Truman
The Truman Scholarship is a $30,000 merit-based grant awarded to undergraduate students, who wish financial support to attend graduate or professional school in preparation for careers in government, the non-profit sector or elsewhere in public service in public service at a leadership level.
The Foundation seeks candidates who have extensive records of public and community service, are committed to careers in government or elsewhere in public service, and have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills. Financial need is not a consideration.
Web site: http://www.truman.gov
Morris Udall
The Foundation will award approximately 75 scholarships to outstanding students, to be known as Morris K. Udall Scholars. The awards will be made on the basis of merit to two groups of students:
- Those who are college sophomores or juniors in the current academic year, have outstanding potential, and who study the environment and related fields.
- Native American and Alaska Native students who are college sophomores or juniors in the current academic year, have outstanding potential, and are in fields related to health care or tribal public policy.
Web site: http://www.udall.gov
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Undergraduate Scholarships and Graduate Fellowships
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) realizes that the country's strong science and technology community provides a critical advantage in the development and implementation of counter-terrorist measures and other DHS objectives. The DHS Scholarship and Fellowship Program is intended for students interested in pursuing the basic science and technology innovations that can be applied to the DHS mission. This education program is intended to ensure a diverse and highly talented science and technology community to achieve the DHS mission and objectives. Areas of study that are eligible include: physical, mathematical, computer and information, life, and social sciences, psychology, selected humanities, and engineering. funding is available on both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Web site: http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/
Awards limited to invited institutions
Beinecke Scholarship Program
The Beinecke Scholarship Program was established in 1971 by the Board of Directors of The Sperry and Hutchinson Company to honor Edwin, Frederick, and Walter Beinecke. The Board created an endowment to provide substantial scholarships for the graduate education of young men and women of exceptional promise. Since 1975 the program has selected more than 315 college juniors from 94 different schools for support during graduate study at any accredited university. Each scholar receives $2,000 immediately prior to entering graduated school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school.
Web site: http://www.beineckescholarship.org
Churchill Scholarships
Established in 1963 at the recommendation of Winston Churchill himself, the Winston Churchill Foundation is the only organization in the United States that bears his name and that was authorized by Sir Winston. The Foundation's Scholarship Program offers the opportunity to spend one year of study and research at Churchill College Cambridge to U.S. citizens enrolled at American colleges and universities. The newest of the colleges at the University of Cambridge, Churchill College is focused on the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Churchill Scholars show exceptional talent, outstanding academic achievement, and promise of making a contribution both to the life of Churchill College and to their chosen field of study. Most Churchill Scholars receive the degree of Masters of Philosophy and then return to graduate school for doctoral or doctoral degrees in the United States. The Foundation pays all tuition and fees and provides a generous allowance for room, board, travel, and other expenses.
Web site: http://www.winstonchurchillfoundation.org
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