*Please note that each of the awards listed below requires a university nomination, resulting in extended application procedures. If you're interested in any of these awards, be sure to contact the Office of Merit Awards well before the application deadline.*

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: James C. Gaither Junior Fellowship

The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows program offers roughly 15 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. 

National Deadline: January 15th, 2025

The Goldwater Scholarship 

Undergraduate students in their senior or junior year with the intent to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering are eligible to apply for the Goldwater Scholarship. Goldwater Scholars receive up to $7, 500 per academic year to cover the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books, and room and board. 

National Deadline: January 31, 2025

Killam Fellowship

The Killam Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for U.S. undergraduate students to spend one semester studying in Canada.

AU Campus Deadline: November 29th, 2024 

National Deadline: January, 2025

Schwarzman Scholarship 

Anchored in an 11-month professional master's degree in Global Affairs at Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University, the Schwarzman Scholars experience includes extensive leadership training, a network of senior mentors, practical training and internships, and travel seminars around China. The program is open to students and young professionals up to 28 years old of any citizenship who are proficient in English and have obtained an undergraduate degree. 

*While this award does not require a campus nomination, it is unusually competitive, and candidates are generally indentified through the process that we use for selecting candidates for UK scholarships.*

National Deadline: September 12, 2024 

Truman Scholarship

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is granted to U.S. college juniors who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to public service. Truman Scholars receive financial support for graduate study, leadership training, and fellowships with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service. 

AU Campus Deadline (for nomination for the 2025-2026 competition cycle): March of 2025 

National Deadline: February 4, 2025

Udall Scholarship

The Morris K. Udall Foundation awards scholarships to students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. Nominated students must intend to pursue a career in tribal public policy or health care. Campus nomination is required for this award.

AU Campus Deadline: November 2024

UK Scholarships (Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell and Fulbright UK)

Please note: the Mitchell Scholarship is currently on hold and not accepting applications 

The Office of Merit Awards works closely with a select number of students who are nominated each year by a staff and faculty committee to apply for scholarships that fund graduate study in the United Kingdom, including the Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, and Fulbright UK scholarships. Recruitment for these scholarships begins in the spring, and students work on their applications throughout the summer and early fall to submit their applications in September or October, depending on the scholarship. 

AU Campus Deadline (for 2025-2026 competition cycle): February 2025

National Deadline: Between September and October of 2025

 

Rangel Graduate Fellowship

The Rangel Program is a U.S. State Department program administered by Howard University that seeks to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers as diplomats in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State. The program seeks individuals interested in helping to shape a freer, more secure and prosperous world through formulating, representing, and implementing U.S. foreign policy. The Program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need.

 Pickering Fellowship

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship prepares students to enter the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service. Fellows receive tuition, fees, and a stipend for two years of graduate study. In addition, the fellowship funds one domestic and one overseas internship with the US Department of State. Fellows enter directly into the Foreign Service upon graduation. This program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need.

Payne Fellowship

The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract young people who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Payne Fellowship Program plans to award seven fellowships for a two-year master's degree and Fellows who successfully complete the Payne Program and USAID Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as USAID Foreign Service Officers. This program encourages the application of members of minority groups who have historically been underrepresented in international development careers and those with financial need.

Clarke DS Fellowship

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Clarke DS Fellowship is a two-year graduate fellowship program designed for individuals who want to pursue a master’s degree and a career as a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agent in the Foreign Service. DSS Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers.

National Deadlines: Fall 2024

 

Email meritawards@american.edu for more information. 

 

Our experienced advisors are eager to help you identify appropriate opportunites and compete for national merit-based scholarship and fellowship opportunities. These awards offer students and alumni the means to accomplish a variety of goals, including studying abroad, funding graduate education, and gaining research or high-level work exprience. 

International and undocumented students can also look at a complete list of scholarships that do not require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency at here. 

Voyager Scholarship: Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service  

The Voyager Scholarship was created by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, Airbnb Co-founder and CEO, to help shape such leaders. The scholarship provides up to $50,000 in financial aid for the final two years of college for students who want to pursue a career in public service and substantial funding for travel.

Deadline: March of 2024

Public Policy and International Affairs Program

The Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program (PPIA) is designed to prepare college juniors and rising seniors, primarily from historically unrepresented groups, for graduate studies in public and/or international affairs and for professional roles in public service. Fellows participate in a seven-week Junior Summer Institute (JSI) before their senior year and receive funding for graduate school in public policy/ administration or international affairs. Some sites allow applications from international students. 

National Deadline: December 15, 2024 

***Important: Goldwater Scholarship Scam Information***

There is currently a phishing campaign targeted at students claiming to be coming from the Goldwater Foundation.

Please be aware of the following information regarding the phishing messages:

- Official correspondence from the Barry Goldwater Foundation will always come from a ".gov" address, never a "gmail" address.

- The official foundation is titled: the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. If you receive messages from the "Barry Gold Scholarship" or "Barry Gold Grant Program", they are fraudulent.

- Most importantly: there is no circumstance in which the Goldwater Foundation would send you a check or you would be required to send any form of compensation to the foundation. 

If you recieve a message in line with the campaign described above, please direct the message to helpdesk@american.edu.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship

*This award requires a university nomination. Please see the 'Awards with Early Campus Deadlines' tab for more information*

Goldwater Scholars receive up to $7,500 per full academic year to contribute to the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books and room and board. To apply, you must be a sophomore or junior interested in pursuing a research career in natural science, mathematics, or engineering with a GPA between 3.00 and 4.00. 

National Science Foundation- Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF-REU)

The NSF funds a large number of research opportunities through its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) sites program. An REU consists of a group of undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student works on a specific research project with faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Candidates must have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. An REU site may be either in a U.S. or foreign location. 

National Deadline: Varies by site/program 

National Science Foundation- Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP)

The purpose of the NSF- 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. 

National Deadline: October 2024 (Varies by field of study)

National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship

The NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship is designed to provide students with awards including academic assistance (up to $9,500 per year) for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid ($700/week) internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. The internship provides scholars with hands-on, practical experience in NOAA- related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activites. Awards also include funds to attend a mandatory NOAA Scholarship Program orientation and the annual Science & Education Symposium, scientific conferences where students present their research, and a housing subsidy for the summer internship. 

National Deadline: January 31, 2025 

Udall Scholarship

*This award requires a university nomination. Please see the 'Awards with Early Campus Deadlines' tab for more information*

The Morris K. Udall Foundation awards scholarships to students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. Nominated students must intend to pursue a career in tribal public policy or health care. Campus nomination is required for this award.

AU Campus Deadline: November 2024

National Deadline: TBD (likely early March)

 

 

Fulbright UK Summer Institutes

The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers special summer institutes for US citizens to go to the United Kingdom. These summer programs provide the opportunity for undergraduates (with at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete) to go to the UK on a three to six- week academic program 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.

Deadline: February 2025

Rangel Summer Enrichment Program

This is is a six-week summer program 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. The Program covers the costs for tuition, travel, housing, and two meals per day. It also provides a stipend of $3,300.

This program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Students live at Howard University, attend classes, and participate in a variety of programs with foreign affairs professionals at Howard and at diverse locations around Washington, DC.

Deadline: February 2025

For more information or to be connected with an advisor, email meritawards@american.edu

Boren Undergraduate Scholarship 

The Boren Undergraduate Scholarship supports study abroad for students pursuing the study of languages, cultures, and world regions that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. All scholarship recipients are required to work for one year in a national security-related position with the Federal government, starting no later than 2 years after graduation. 

National Deadline: January 29th, 2025 

Boren Graduate Fellowship

The Boren Fellowship supports study abroad for graduate students pursuing the study of languages, cultures, and world regions that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. All scholarship recipients are required to work for one year in a national security-related position with the Federal government, starting no later than 2 years after graduation. 

National Deadline: January 22nd, 2025

Fulbright Grants

The Fulbright Program funds independent research, study, and English- langauge teaching assistantships for students and alumni in one of 140+ nations. Recipients recieve a stipend, round- trip travel, and health insurance. OMA works with applicants during the summer and early fall.  Interested applicants should begin looking into this process during the spring semester of their Junior year. October of Senior year is the earliest an undergraduate student can submit and application.

National Deadline: October 8th, 2024

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)

The Critical Langauge Scholarship provides funding for beginning, intermediate, and/or advanced intensive overseas summer study of the following "critical need" languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portugese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu.

National Deadline: TBD (likely mid- November) 

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

The Gilman Scholarship offers grants to undergraduate students who have limited financial means to pursue academic studies or internships abroad. To be eligible, applicants must be Federal Pell Grant Recipients. 

Fall National Deadline: October 10th, 2024 

Spring National Deadline: March 6th, 2025

Killam Fellowship

*This award requires a university nomination. Please see the 'Awards with Early Campus Deadlines' tab for more information*

The Killam Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for U.S. undergraduate students to spend one semester studying in Canada.

AU Campus Deadline: November 29th, 2024 

National Deadline: January, 2025

Princeton in Africa/ Princeton in Asia 

Princeton in Africa/Asia (PiA) arranges fellowships and internships with Asian host organizations that contribute to important global issues at the local level: education, public health, environmental sustainability, access to information/ media, economic development and social justice. PiA sponsors over 150 fellowships and internships in 22 countries and regions. 

National Deadline: November 1, 2024