Prestigious Awards

Nationally competitive fellowships, scholarships, and awards support study, research, or teaching in a wide range of academic disciplines. Recipients of scholarships attend graduate programs, conduct research and teach in countries around the world. They become leaders in their fields of study and in their communities. These are some of the most prestigious awards.

Graduate School in the United States
Graduate School outside the United States
Public & Foreign Service
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM)
Study Abroad
Teaching and Teaching English

Graduate School in the United States
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University: The program supports 100 students from around the world who have demonstrated leadership and civic commitment to pursue graduate education at Stanford University, with the goal of developing a new generation of leaders.

Soros: Supports up to two years of graduate study in any professional field or scholarly discipline; applicants must be "new Americans" (fully defined on the Soros website). Selection criteria emphasize creativity, originality, initiative, and sustained accomplishment.

Donald Payne International Development Fellowship: Graduate school funding and professional development for those interested in a career with the US Agency for International Development.

James Madison Graduate Fellowship: Up to $24,000 to support 2 years of graduate study towards a master's degree concentrating on American history or government; for students who teach or plan to teach American history, American government, or social studies at the secondary school level (grades 7–12).  US citizenship required. 50 awards are made (1 from each state)

Rangel Graduate Fellowship: The fellowship supports two years of graduate study, internships and professional development activities for the purpose of entry into the Foreign Service. Members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and those with financial need are especially encouraged to apply. US citizenship required.

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship: Up to $40,000 financial support for full-time master’s degree program in public policy, international affairs, public administration, business, economics, political science, sociology, or foreign languages. The Fellowship does not fund law or joint law degree programs. Applicants must be available to fulfill the summer internship obligations (the 2 summers after starting the graduate program). Approximately 20 awards are made.

Truman Scholarship: $30,000 for graduate or professional school for juniors who are committed to making a difference through public service. Selection based on academic promise, service potential, and leadership.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships: Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, fellowships support research-based master’s or PhD programs in a supported discipline, which includes the hard sciences as well as, in some cases, some social sciences, such as anthropology, sociology, political science, psychology, urban planning and economics.  US citizenship required.

Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship: $30,000 stipend to support pursuit of master's in teaching; mentoring and training for secondary school teaching in STEM subjects.  Training takes place in Georgia. Major or professional background in a STEM field required.  US citizenship or permanent residency required.

Graduate School outside the United States
DAAD: Highly qualified final year undergraduate students or those who have received an undergraduate degree of all disciplines may apply for the DAAD Study Scholarship for a full master's degree program at a German university or for study at a German university as part of a postgraduate or Master's degree program completed in the home country. 

Davies-Jackson: Supports 2 years of graduate study at St. John's College, Cambridge University. Designed for students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences "who are among the very first in their families to have graduated from college."

Gates-Cambridge: Supports 1-4 years of study at Cambridge University. The goal is to create future leaders who will address global problems related to health, equity, technology, and learning.  Open to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens.

Fulbright US Student Program: Cultural exchange funded by US State Department. One year post-graduate fellowship for research, study, or teaching English abroad.

Marshall: Supports 2 years of study in any discipline at a university in the U.K., leading to the award of a British University degree.

Mitchell: Supports 1 year of graduate study at a university in Ireland for future American leaders. The goal is to promote understanding of "the island from which 44 million Americans claim descent."

NIH Oxford/Cambridge: An accelerated, individualized doctoral training program for outstanding science students committed to biomedical research. The projects culminate in the award of a D.Phil or Ph.D. in science from either Oxford or Cambridge. Students may also pursue combined M.D./Ph.D. training through partnerships the program maintains with a broad range of American medical schools.

Rhodes: Supports 2 or 3 years of graduate study at Oxford. Goal is to bring together outstanding students from many countries around the world and to prepare students for service to others.

Public and Foreign Service
Boren Awards for International Study: Summer, semester, and year-long study in regions critical to US national security. Requires 1-year commitment to federal government. US citizenship required.

Critical Language Scholarship: Fully-funded, summer overseas language and cultural immersion program. 

Donald Payne International Development Fellowship: Graduate school funding and professional development for those interested in a career with the US Agency for International Development.

Fulbright US Student Program: Cultural exchange funded by US State Department. One year post-graduate fellowship for research, study, or teaching English abroad.

Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Gaither Junior Fellows work as research assistants to the Endowment's senior associates. Positions are paid, full-time positions for one year, with a full benefits package. Must be eligible to work in US after graduation for duration of 1 year. Approximately 10- awards are made.

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship: Work in a six to nine month fellowship in Washington, DC, focusing on arms control, peace, and international security issues. The fellowship aims to develop and train the next generation of leaders on a range of peace and security issues. Fellows work with one of more than two dozen participating public-interest organizations. They may undertake a variety of activities, including research, writing, public education and advocacy on a range of security issues.

Mt. Vernon Leadership Fellows: Selective 6-week summer institute for rising juniors offering unparalleled learning & networking opportunities at home of U.S. 1st president just outside the nation’s capital. Must be a US Citizen. Stipend, housing, meals, transportation provided.

PPIA Scholarship: For rising seniors to participate in a summer institute focused on public policy and international affairs, in preparation for graduate study in these areas. Successful completion qualifies fellows for graduate school benefits.

Rangel Graduate Fellowship: The fellowship supports two years of graduate study, internships and professional development activities for the purpose of entry into the Foreign Service. Members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and those with financial need are especially encouraged to apply. US citizenship required.

Rangel Summer Enrichment Program: A six-week designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such careers. Members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and those with financial need are especially encouraged to apply.

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship: Up to $40,000 financial support for full-time master’s degree program in public policy, international affairs, public administration, business, economics, political science, sociology, or foreign languages. The Fellowship does not fund law or joint law degree programs. Applicants must be available to fulfill the summer internship obligations (the 2 summers after starting the graduate program). Approximately 20 awards are made.

Truman Scholarship: $30,000 for graduate or professional school for juniors who are committed to making a difference through public service. Selection based on academic promise, service potential, and leadership.

Udall Scholarship: Undergraduate scholarship for students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care.  Required: US Citizenship, US National or US Permanent Resident. 50 awards made.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM)
In addition to this list here, additional STEM opportunities can be found on the STEM page.

Amgen: Summer research experience in the sciences in the U, Europe and Japan, includes seminars, networking and symposia participation.

DAAD RISE: Summer internships at German Universities and Research Institutes for students in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and engineering. Knowledge of German not required. Open to students from the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

Goldwater: Supports 1-2 years of undergraduate study for students who intend careers in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering.

Hollings: Offers generous financial support for the junior and senior years and a paid 10-week summer internship to undergraduates interested in oceanic and atmospheric science.

Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship: Academic and professional support for individuals who intend to teach high-school level mathematics, physical sciences, or biological sciences. Applicants must have a teaching credential by the September of the fellowship year.

McNair Scholars Program: The McNair Scholars Program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. McNair participants are either first-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education and have demonstrated strong academic potential.

NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program: For students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research.

NIH Oxford/Cambridge: An accelerated, individualized doctoral training program for outstanding science students committed to biomedical research. The projects culminate in the award of a D.Phil or Ph.D. in science from either Oxford or Cambridge. Students may also pursue combined M.D./Ph.D. training through partnerships the program maintains with a broad range of American medical schools.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships: Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, fellowships support research-based master’s or PhD programs in a supported discipline, which includes the hard sciences as well as, in some cases, some social sciences, such as anthropology, sociology, political science, psychology, urban planning and economics.  US citizenship required.

Udall Scholarship: Undergraduate scholarship for students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care.  Required: US Citizenship, US National or US Permanent Resident. 50 awards made.

Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship: $30,000 stipend to support pursuit of master's in teaching; mentoring and training for secondary school teaching in STEM subjects.  Training takes place in Georgia. Major or professional background in a STEM field required.  US citizenship or permanent residency required.

Study Abroad
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship for Study Abroad: Summer, semester and year-long study abroad funding for current recipients of Pell Grants or students who are eligible for a Pell Grant.

Boren Awards for International Study: Summer, semester, and year-long study in regions critical to US national security. Requires 1-year commitment to federal government. US citizenship required.

Bridging Scholarship from the Association of Teachers of Japanese: Study abroad in Japan for a semester or academic year.

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals: One-year of language and cultural experience in Germany while participating in a relevant internship.

Critical Language Scholarship: Fully-funded, summer overseas language and cultural immersion program. 

DAAD RISE: Summer internships at German Universities and Research Institutes for students in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and engineering. Knowledge of German not required. Open to students from the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

DAAD Summer: Summer courses at German universities focusing on language, literature, cultural, political and economic aspects of modern and contemporary Germany.

Freeman Asia: Study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.

Killiam Fellowships: Funding for semester or year-long study in a Canadian university.

Fulbright UK Summer Programmes: Three, four, or five week academic and cultural summer programs for freshmen and sophomores.

Teaching and Teaching English
In addition to this list here, additional STEM opportunities can be found on the Teaching & Teaching English page.

Fulbright US Student Program: Cultural exchange funded by US State Department. One-year post-graduate fellowship for research, study, or teaching English abroad.

James Madison Graduate Fellowship: Up to $24,000 to support 2 years of graduate study towards a master's degree concentrating on American history or government; for students who teach or plan to teach American history, American government, or social studies at the secondary school level (grades 7–12).  US citizenship required. 50 awards are made (1 from each state)

Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship: Academic and professional support for individuals who intend to teach high-school level mathematics, physical sciences, or biological sciences. Applicants must have a teaching credential by the September of the fellowship year.

Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship: $30,000 stipend to support pursuit of master's in teaching; mentoring and training for secondary school teaching in STEM subjects.  Training takes place in Georgia. Major or professional background in a STEM field required.  US citizenship or permanent residency required.