Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships

This page provides information about prestigious scholarships. Prestigious scholarships are among the most well-known and most lucrative scholarships, but are also the most competitive. They are national or international in scope. Winning one of these awards marks you with a stamp of excellence that can open doors. Some of these awards require nomination by the student's school and do not accept applications directly from students.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Apple Scholars
The Apple Scholars scholarship program is sponsored by Apple Computer. Ten high school seniors will receive $2,000 scholarships for innovative use of technology in their schoolwork. Winners also receive a MacBook Pro and iPod nano. The deadline is May 30.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship program is funded by the federal government and administered by the state governments in each state. This merit scholarship program is open to high school seniors. Winners receive a $1,500 scholarship. Approximately 6,300 to 6,500 new scholars will be awarded each year. Students apply through the State education agency in their state of legal residence. Each state has its own deadlines.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarships are open to US high school seniors who have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A total of 250 scholarships are awarded each year, with 50 National Scholars receiving $20,000 scholarships and 200 Regional Scholars receiving $10,000 scholarships. (The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation also awards 50 $2,000 scholarships and 350 $1,000 scholarships to outstanding community college students.) Recipients are selected based on leadership, character, civic and extracurricular activities, academic excellence, and community service. This is an extremely competitive program, with more than 100,000 applications received each year. The application deadline is in late October or early November. For more information, call 1-800-306-COKE.

Collegiate Inventors Competition
Sponsored by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the Collegiate Inventors Competition (previously known as the BFGoodrich Collegiate Inventors Program) seeks to encourage undergraduate and graduate students to pursue new ideas, processes and technological innovations. The invention must have been reduced to practice and patentable. It may not have been made available to the public as a commercial product or process or been patented or published more than one year prior to the date of submission to the competition. Submissions are judged on originality and inventiveness, as well as on their potential value to society (socially, environmentally, and economically), and on the range or scope of use. Up to four students may work together as a team, but only one prize will be awarded per entry. The grand prize winner receives $25,000. There is also one Graduate Collegiate Inventors Competition prize of $15,000 and one Undergraduate Collegiate Inventors Competition prize of $10,000. The deadline is June 1. For more information, write to The Collegiate Inventors Competition, c/o The National Inventors Hall of Fame, 221 S. Broadway Street, Akron, Ohio 44308-1505.

Davidson Fellows
Davidson Fellowships are awarded by the Davidson Institute for Talent Development to US students under age 18 who have completed a significant piece of work in the fields of Mathematics, Science, Technology, Music, Literature, Philosophy or Outside the Box. The significant piece of work should have the potential to benefit society. The focus of the program is on gifted and talented students. There is no minimum age for eligibility. Four $50,000 scholarships, seven $25,000 scholarships, and five $10,000 scholarships are awarded each year. The deadline is March 31 (receipt); there are earlier deadlines for some forms. For more information, write to The Davidson Institute for Talent Development, Attn: Davidson Fellows Coordinators, 9665 Gateway Drive, Suite B, Reno, NV 89521 or send email to davidsonfellows@ditd.org.

Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition
The Elks National Foundation "Most Valuable Student" Competition awards 500 four-year scholarships to high school seniors. US citizenship is required. Two renewable $15,000 scholarships, two renewable $10,000 scholarships, two renewable $5,000 scholarships, and 494 renewable $1,000 scholarships are awarded each year. The application deadline is in early January. Contact your local Elks lodge for more information. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.

Gates Millennium Scholars
The Gates Millennium Scholarship program is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and administered by the United Negro College Fund. Nomination by a professional educator (principal, teacher, guidance counselor, etc.) is required. The focus of this program is on students who will be pursuing careers in mathematics, science, engineering, education or library science. Candidates must be African America, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American, a US citizen or permanent resident/national, have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale, and be entering a US accredited college or university as a full-time degree-seeking freshman in the fall. Candidates must also be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Nominations must be submitted by early to mid January. Applications must be submitted by February 1. For more information, write to Gates Millennium Scholars, PO Box 10500, Fairfax, VA 22031-8044, or call 1-877-690-GMSP (4677).

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, the Gilman Scholarship aims to diversify and expand participation in international study by supporting undergraduate students who have been traditionally underrepresented in study abroad, including students with high financial need, community college students, students in underrepresented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, students with disabilities, and students of nontraditional age. The program also encourages students to choose nontraditional study abroad destinations, especially those outside of Western Europe and Australia. This congressionally-funded program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State, and is administered by the Institute of International Education. Through a competitive selection process awards of up to $5,000 are made for US citizen, undergraduate students to study abroad for up to one academic year. The award may be used for tuition and fees, room and board, books, local transportation, health insurance and international airfare. Candidates must be undergraduate students at a US 2-year or 4-year college or university and currently receiving the Federal Pell Grant at the time of application. Candidates cannot be studying abroad in a country currently under a US Department of State Travel Warning or in Cuba. Approximately 15% of applicants are selected to receive the Gilman Scholarship with a total of 360 awards made in two cycles each year. The deadline for the Fall application cycle is April 15 and the deadline for the Spring application cycle is September 22. For more information, full eligibility criteria and the online application please contact the Gilman office directly by writing to Gilman International Scholarship Program, Institute of International Education - Houston, 520 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 740, Houston, TX 77027, calling 1-888-887-5939 x25 or 1-713-621-6300 x25, sending a fax to 1-713-621-0876, sending email to gilman@iie.org or visiting the Gilman Program web site at www.iie.org/gilman.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) also administers two other national study abroad scholarship programs: the National Security Education Program/David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship (study abroad outside of Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada) and the Freeman-Asia Scholarship (study abroad in Asia).

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship program was established in 1986 by the United States Congress to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater. Up to 300 Goldwater Scholarships are awarded each year. The scholarships cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. (The scholarship is renewable for students who receive it during their junior year of college.) Each four-year institution may nominate up to four students who are currently sophomores or juniors for the award. Second-year students who are currently enrolled in a two-year college but intend to transfer to a four-year college or university are also eligible. The students must intend to pursue careers in math, science or engineering. (Students who plan on studying medicine are only eligible if they intend to pursue a career in medical research.) Candidates must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and be in the upper quartile of his or her class. Candidates must be US citizens, resident aliens or nationals. (Resident aliens must include a letter stating their intent to obtain US citizenship and a copy of their Alien Registration Card.) Institutions must submit their nominations by early February.

Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship (NOAA)
The Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship was established in 2005 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to honor retired Senator Ernest F. Hollings of South Carolina who promoted ocean research and the study of our atmosphere throughout his career. Approximately 100 scholarships of up to $28,425 are awarded each year. The awards provide support to full-time undergraduate students during their junior and senior years (up to $8,000 per year) and a 10-week full-time summer internship at a NOAA or partner facility ($650 per week, plus a housing subsidy for non-local interns). The award also provides travel expenses to attend a Hollings scholarship program conference at the end of the internship. The program supports a variety of majors related to oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology and education, including earth, environmental and marine sciences, biology, agricultural science, life sciences, mathematics, computer science, physical science, engineering, social and behavioral sciences, and teacher education. US citizenship is required. Candidates must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. For more information, visit the web site, call 1-865-576-3424, or send email to hollingsscholarship@orau.gov.

Intel Science Talent Search
The Intel Science Talent Search, formerly known as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, is one of the most prestigious scientific research competitions for high school seniors in the United States. Winners are selected on the basis of their potential as future scientists and researchers. Each year 300 students are named semifinalists and receive a $1,000 award. 40 of the semifinalists are named finalists and are invited on an all-expense-paid trip to the Science Talent Institute in Washington, DC in March, where the winners are selected. The first place finalist receives a $100,000 four-year scholarship, the second place finalist a $75,000 scholarship, and the third place finalist a $50,000 scholarship. Fourth through sixth place finalists receive $25,000 scholarships and seventh through tenth place finalists receive $20,000 scholarships. The remaining 30 finalists receive $5,000 scholarships. All finalists also receive a high performance computer. The entry deadline varies, but is typically in early to mid November. For more information, write to Science Service, 1719 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-2888, or call 1-202-785-2255.

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world's largest science fair. Each year more than 1,200 students in grades 9-12 from more than 40 countries are selected at regional science fairs to compete at the ISEF for more than $3 million in scholarships and prizes. The top three finalists receive the Intel Young Scientist Scholarship of $50,000, a trip to the Nobel Prize ceremonies in Sweden, and a high performance computer. Prizes include scholarships, summer internships, scientific field trips and laboratory equipment. A total of more than 900 individual and team awards are presented at the fair. For more information, write to Science Service, 1719 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-2888, or call 1-202-785-2255.

Intel Research Award Contest for Undergraduate Students
The Intel Student Research Contest (ISRC) grants awards of up to $2,000 to up to 20 students for research projects to be conducted at their school. At the end of the project period, the students present their results to a panel of experts and meet with noted Intel researchers. The top three presenters win cash awards of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000. The program is open to students from the United States. Similar contests are held in India and the People's Republic of China.

NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) is a competitive scholarship program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in pursuing biomedical, behavioral and social science careers at the NIH. The UGSP program provides up to $20,000 a year for up to four years to pay for tuition, educational expenses and reasonable living expenses. Approximately 15 scholarships are awarded each year. Recipients must participate in the NIH 10-week Summer Laboratory Experience after each year of scholarship support. Recipients also commit to one year of full-time employment at the NIH for each year of support. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale or be within the top 5 percent of their class.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) sponsors the National Merit Scholarships and National Achievement Scholarships programs, as well as the Special Scholarships. These are among the largest scholarship competitions in the United States, with more than 10,000 students receiving college scholarships totalling $47 million. High school students enter the competitions by taking the PSAT test, also referred to as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). The top 16,000 or so students with the highest selection index scores are named Semifinalists. Of these, approximately 15,000 are named Finalists. 8,000 of the Finalists are selected to receive a National Merit Scholarship. An additional 1,600 participants who were not Finalists are selected for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations. The National Achievement Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding African American students, with 1,600 being named Semifinalists. 1,300 of the Semifinalists are named Finalists, and 775 Finalists are selected to receive the Achievement Scholarship. Scholarship amounts in both programs range from $2,500 to renewable four-year full tuition scholarships.

Presidential Scholars Program (alternate site)
The Presidential Scholars Program provides recognition (but no scholarship funding) for up to 121 high school seniors each year on the basis of academic achievement. An additional 20 students each year are selected on the basis of scholarship in the visual arts, performing arts or creative writing. US citizenship is required. Students who take the SAT or ACT Assessment on or before October of each year are automatically considered, as are students who are registered for the Arts Recognition and Talent Search (ARTS) (contact the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) at 1-800-970-ARTS).

Ronald Reagan Future Leaders Program
The Ronald Reagan Future Leaders Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Phillips Foundation. It provides scholarships of up to $10,000 to college undergraduate students who demonstrate "leadership on behalf of the cause of freedom, American values and constitutional principles". Candidates must be US citizens and currently college sophomores or juniors. The application deadline is January 15. For more information call 1-202-842-2002 or write to The Phillips Foundation, 1 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 620, Washington, DC 20001. Prospective applicants should visit the Phillips Foundation web site for complete program information and an application.

Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships
The Rotary Foundation's Ambassadorial Scholarship program provides approximately 1,000 to 1,100 scholarships for study abroad each year. The scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students worldwide. (Applicants must be citizens of a country in which there is a Rotary club.) The scholarships cover one year of academic study in another country and include round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, and room and board up to $25,000. Candidates must have completed at least two years of college. Applications are made through the local Rotary club. Each Rotary club has its own deadlines.

Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science and Technology
The Siemens Westinghouse Competition is one of the most prestigious scientific research competitions for high school students in the United States. Students submit research reports individually or in teams of two or three. Some of the projects are selected for further competition in six regional events. One individual and one team are selected as Regional Winners and are invited to participate in the National Competition. The top individual and team winners at the National Competition receive $100,000 scholarships. The sixth through second place National Finalists receive scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. The Siemens Westinghouse Competition is administered by the College Board and funded by the Siemens Foundation. For more information write to Siemens Foundation, 170 Woods Avenue South, Iselin, NJ 08830, call 1-877-822-5233, or fax 1-723-603-5890.

Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement
The Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement (SAAP) are open to students who score at least one 5 in one of the following AP tests: Biology, BC Calculus, Chemistry, AB Computer Science, Environmental Science, Physics C, and Statistics. The students who have the most AP scores of 5 are selected as winners. Two male and two female students are selected as winners in each of six regions and receive $3,000 scholarships. The two national student winners (one male and one female) receive an additional $5,000. For more information, call the College Board at 1-703-707-8999.

Morris K. Udall Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
The Morris K. Udall Foundation awards 80 undergraduate scholarships of up to $5,000 to college juniors and seniors in fields related to the environment. An additional 30 students are named Honorable Mentions and receive awards of $350. Candidates must be nominated by their college's Udall faculty representative during their sophomore or junior year in college.

Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship Program
The Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship Program provides $1,000 scholarships for undergraduate and graduate minority students in the following fields: Chemistry, Information Management, Computing & Software Systems, Material Science, Printing Management Science, Laser Optics, Physics and Engineering. The deadline is September 15. For more information, write to Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship Program, 150 State Street, 4th Floor, Rochester, NY 14614.

Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest
The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest is open to full-time juniors and seniors at accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States. There is a first prize of $5,000, a second prize of $2,500, a third prize of $1,500, and two honorable mentions of $500 each. The deadline is in early December. Entry forms are available on the web site. For more information, write to The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics, The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, 529 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10017, call 1-212-490-7777 or send email to epinfo@eliewieselfoundation.org.

Graduate Fellowships

AT&T Labs Fellowship Program
The AT&T Labs Fellowships are available to female and minority students who are pursuing a PhD in computer and communications-related fields. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents. The fellowship provides all educational expenses including tuition and fees, a monthly stipend of $1,400 a month, and a mentor who is a staff member at AT&T Labs. The fellowship is renewable for up to six years of support.

Beinecke Scholarship Program
The Beinecke Scholarship Program is open to college juniors who intend to pursue graduate study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences at any accredited university. Each scholar receives $2,000 prior to matriculating in graduate school and $30,000 while attending graduate school. The funding must be used within five years of completing undergraduate studies. A total of 18 new scholarships are awarded each year from among more than 100 nominations. Nomination by a participating college or university is required. The nomination deadline is March 1 and each college can nominate only one student for the award.

Bell Labs Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The Bell Labs Graduate Research Fellowships are available to female and minority students pursuing a PhD in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. They are sponsored by the Lucent Technologies Foundation. The fellowship provides full tuition and an annual stipend of $17,000 for up to four years of graduate study. Fields of study include Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Communications Science, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Science, Materials Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Research, Physics and Statistics. College seniors and first year graduate students are eligible to apply.

Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program
The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program for the Americas provides eight fellowships to PhD students throughout the Americas (Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean) to conduct conservation-related research projects in the biological, physical, social and cultural sciences, and technological innovation in support of conservation science. The program aims to support research on critical problems facing the region's national parks. The fellowship provides $26,000 a year for up to three years. In addition to the eight fellowship winners, four honorable mentions will receive a one-time scholarship of $1,000. The application deadline is in early May.

British Chevening Scholarships
The British Chevening Scholarships enable non-UK students to study in the United Kingdom. They are offered in more than 150 countries. (US students are not eligible.) Approximately 2,300 new scholarships are awarded each year for postgraduate studies and research.

Winston Churchill Scholarship Program
The Churchill Scholarship Program enables young Americans to pursue graduate study in science, mathematics, and engineering at Churchill College, Cambridge University. A total of 11 one-year Churchill Scholarships are offered each year. The scholarship covers living expenses in addition to tuition and fees. Candidates must be US citizens who have earned a bachelor's degree but not a doctorate and between the ages of 19 and 26. Applicants must be nominated by their undergraduate college. Each college may nominate up to two students to apply for the Churchill Scholarship. The Churchill Foundation's deadline is in mid November. Each college may have earlier deadlines.

Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Fellowship Program
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is open to college seniors and recent college graduates who intend to begin graduate study in the fall. Approximately 35 fellowships are awarded each year. The fellowships cover tuition, room and board, books and other required fees up to $50,000 per year for up to six years. Candidates must have a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must be nominated by the faculty representative at their undergraduate institution. The application deadline is April 30. For more information, call 1-800-498-6478.

Davies-Jackson Scholarship
The Davies-Jackson Scholarship provides support for a two-year course of study at St. John's College, Cambridge University, leading to a British B.A. degree (the equivalent of a master's degree in the US). Fields of study include Archaeology and Anthropology, Classics, Economics, English, Geography, History, History of Art, Modern and Medieval Languages, Music, Philosophy, and Social and Political Sciences. Candidates must be seniors at one of 159 eligible US colleges and universities and must be the first college graduate in their family. The award covers tuition, fees, room and board and travel to and from England for two years. One recipient is selected each year. The application deadline is in mid November.

EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship Program for Graduate Environmental Study
The Environmental Protection Agency's STAR Fellowship Program provides graduate fellowships for master's and doctoral students pursuing degrees in fields of study related to the environment. Approximately 50 fellowships are awarded each year, subject to the availability of funding. Master's students receive support for up to two years and doctoral students receive support for up to three years. The fellowship program provides up to $37,000 per year, consisting of a $20,000 stipend, $5,000 for authorized expenses (e.g., health insurance, books, supplies, and computer equipment), and $12,000 for tuition and fees. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents. The pre-application deadline is in mid November.

Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities
The Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities program is administered by the National Research Council. It provides 60 new awards each year consisting of a cost-of-education allowance of $6,000 and a $17,000 stipend. The fellowship provides up to three years of support. Candidates must be US citizens or nationals. Candidates must also be enrolled in or planning to enroll in a research-based PhD or ScD program in Archaeology, Anthropology, Art History, Astronomy, Chemistry, Communications, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Economics, Engineering, Ethnomusicology, Geography, History, International Relations, Life Sciences, Linguistics, Literature, Language, Mathematics, Performance Study, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Sociology, and Urban Planning. The fellowship application form is available online and has a deadline in mid November. For more information, write to Fellowship Office, GR 346A, National Research Council of the National Academies, 550 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, call 1-202-334-2872, or send email to infofell@nas.edu.

Fulbright Fellowships
Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) and the Institute for International Education (IIE) assist the US Information Agency in the administration of the graduate Fulbright Fellowships for US citizens to study in other countries and for international students to study in the US. US students must apply through their campus Fulbright program advisor. International students should apply through the Fulbright Commission or US Information Service in their home country. US students who are not formally enrolled in a degree program should write to
US Student Programs
Institute for International Education (IIE)
809 United Nations Plaza
New York NY 10017-3580

Gates Cambridge Scholarships
The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are open to graduate students from outside the United Kingdom for study at the University of Cambridge. Approximately 230 scholarships are awarded each year, with 100 coming from the United States. The scholarships cover the full cost of study at Cambridge for a single person, including tuition and fees and a maintenance allowance. Scholars should be under the age of 30 years and be admitted through the university's regular admissions process.

Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships in Applied Physical Sciences
The Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships are awarded to graduate students who are expected to have the greatest impact on the application of the physical sciences to human problems. The Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships are extremely competitive, with only 25% of applicants being selected for an interview, and only 10% of those being selected for the award. The fellowship consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a $25,000 stipend and is renewable for a total of up to five years of support. College seniors and current graduate students pursuing a PhD in the applied physical sciences are eligible to apply. The fellowship is tenable at three dozen of the nation's leading colleges and universities, including CalTech, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Princeton, RPI, Rice, Stanford, UC Berkeley and Yale. For more information, write to Fannie and John Hertz Foundation, 2456 Research Drive, Livermore, CA 94550-3850, call 1-925-373-1642, fax 1-925-373-6329 or send email to askhertz@aol.com.

IBM PhD Fellowships
IBM PhD Fellowships are available to PhD students in business, chemistry, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science, mathematics, mechanical engineering and physics, as well as a variety of emerging technical fields. The fellowship provides tuition and fees and an annual stipend of $17,500. The fellowship may be renewed for up to three years. All IBM fellows are matched with an IBM Mentor and are expected to intern at an IBM research or development laboratory under their mentor's guidance. Nomination by a faculty member is required. Students must have completed at least one year of study at the time of nomination. The nomination deadline is December 15. For more information send email to phdfellow@us.ibm.com.

Jacob K. Javits Graduate Fellowships
The Jacob K. Javits Graduate Fellowships are awarded by the US Department of Education to support graduate students in the arts, humanities and social sciences. The fellowship consists of a payment to the educational institution in lieu of tuition and fees and a stipend of up to $21,500 for up to four years. The amount of funding depends on financial need, and applications are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The program is open to undergraduate students who are about to enter graduate school and first year graduate students. Candidates must be enrolled or intend to enroll in a graduate program leading to a doctorate or terminal master's degree. Candidates must be US citizens, nationals or permanent residents. The application deadline is in early October. A total of approximately 60 to 100 new fellowships are awarded each year. This is an extremely competitive program.

Henry Luce Foundation Scholarship
The Luce Scholarships provide stipends and internships for 18 young Americans to live and work in Asia each year. Candidates must be US citizens who have earned a bachelor's degree and are less than 30 years old. The Luce Scholarship provides a monthly cost-of-living stipend plus travel expenses. The foundation's deadline is December 1.

James Madison Junior Fellowships
The James Madison Junior Fellowships are open to college seniors and recent college graduates who intend to go to graduate school on a full-time basis. The fellowships provide funding for graduate study leading to a master's degree and are tenable at any accredited institution of higher education in the United States. Candidates must intend to become secondary school teachers of American history, American government and social studies. The fellowship provides support for graduate study of the roots, principles, framing, history and development of the U.S. Constitution. The award provides $12,000 per year for up to two years. One fellowship is awarded in each state. The application deadline is March 1.

Marshall Scholarships
The Marshall Sherfield Scholarships Program is a highly competitive program in which up to 40 young Americans are chosen to pursue a graduate education in the United Kingdom each year. The awards are tenable at any British university and cover two years of study in any field, typically at the graduate level, leading to the award of a British university degree. The award provides for two years of study, and may occasionally be extended to a third year. Only US citizens who will have graduated with a bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in the United States within the past four years are eligible. A minimum 3.7 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale is required.

Mellon Fellowships
The Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies provide support for first-year doctoral students in the humanities. The fellowship covers tuition and fees and provides a stipend of $17,500. Approximately 85 new fellowships are awarded each year out of approximately 800 applicants. The fellowships are funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Students apply during their senior year of college. (College graduates who have not yet matriculated in graduate school may also apply.) The fellowship may be used for the first year of graduate school in a PhD program in the humanities. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents. The application deadline is December 1. Applications must be requested through the web site by early to mid November. For more information, send email to mellon@woodrow.org. [The Woodrow Wilson web site is best viewed using Internet Explorer. Aspects of the site do not work correctly using other web browsers.]

The Woodrow Wilson Foundation also administers other fellowship programs, including the Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships in ethical or religious values in all fields of the humanities and social sciences, the Woodrow Wilson Doctoral Dissertation Grants in Women's Studies, the WW Johnson & Johnson Dissertation Grants in Women's Health, and the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowships for graduate and undergraduate students.

George Mitchell Scholarships
The George Mitchell Scholarships enable American students to pursue one year of postgraduate study at an Ireland university. The award provides tuition and housing, as well as a stipend for travel and living expenses, for a period of one year. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30. Twelve scholarships are awarded each year.

NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP)
The NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) provides fellowships for graduate study leading to a masters or doctoral degree in science, mathematics and engineering. Approximately 90 to 100 new recipients are selected each year. The award consists of a one-year training grant of $24,000, renewable for up to three years. The training grant includes a stipend of $18,000, a student allowance of $3,000 and a university allowance of $3,000. US citizenship is required. College seniors and current graduate students are eligible to apply. The application deadline is in early February.

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowships
The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowships are sponsored by the US Department of Defense and support graduate students pursuing a doctoral degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Biosciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences Computer and Computational Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Geosciences, Materials Science and Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Oceanography and Physics. Approximately 100 to 300 new fellowships are awarded each year, depending on funding. Candidates must be US citizens or nationals. College seniors and first-year graduate students are eligible to apply. The fellowship provides full tuition and required fees and a stipend of $27,500 during the first year, $28,000 during the second year, and $28,500 during the third year. The application deadline is in early January. The fellowship program is very competitive, with only about 10% of applicants being selected for the award. For more information, write to NDSEG Fellowship Program, American Society for Engineering Education, 1818 N Street N.W., Suite 600, Washington, DC, 20036, call 1-202-331-3516, fax 1-202-265-8504, or send email to ndseg@asee.org.

National Physical Science Consortium Fellowship
The National Physical Science Consortium (NPSC) sponsors a graduate fellowship program for graduate students pursuing a PhD in the physical sciences at one of more than 100 participating colleges and universities. The award provides tuition and fees and a stipend of $16,000 for up to six years. Recipients are required to work for a NPSC-member employer during the summer preceding and following the first year of graduate school. Fields of study include Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Materials Science, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, and their subdisciplines, and related engineering fields, including Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering. NPSC continues to place an emphasis on recruiting underrepresented minority and female students. US citizenship is required. College seniors and first year graduate students are eligible to apply. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. The application deadline is November 15.

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (alternate link)
The US National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship awards approximately 900 to 1,000 new three-year fellowships each year to graduate students in the mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, and behavioral and social sciences. The award consists of a cost-of-education allowance of $10,500 in lieu of tuition and fees and a stipend of $27,500. College seniors and first year graduate students are eligible to apply. The application deadline is in early November. Applications are submitted through the FastLane Electronic Application Process.

National Security Education Program Graduate Fellowships
The National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships are available to US graduate students for the study of languages, cultures and world regions that are critical to US national security. It is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The fellowships provide up to $10,000 per semester for up to two semesters for overseas study, and up top $12,000 for domestic study (up to $28,000 total for a combined overseas and domestic program). The scholarships are awarded to US students studying outside of Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Boren Fellowship recipients are required to seek employment with an agency or office of the federal government involved in national security affairs. The application deadline is January 31. For more information, write to NSEP/AED, 1825 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20009, call 1-800-498-9360 or 1-202-884-8285, fax 1-202-884-8407, or send email to nsep@aed.org.

Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarships enable students from many countries to study at the University of Oxford. 32 American Rhodes Scholars are selected each year. All educational expenses (tuition and fees) are covered for a period of two years, along with a maintenance allowance. Travel to and from Oxford is included. The award may be renewed for a third year.

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowships
The Sloan Research Fellowships are sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Sloan Research Fellowships provide support and recognition to young scientists and research faculty in physics, chemistry, mathematics, neuroscience, economics, computer science and computational and evolutionary molecular biology. The award consists of $40,000 for a two-year period and the funds are awarded to the Fellow's institution to support his or her research efforts. Candidates must hold a PhD and be members of the regular tenure track faculty at a college or university in the United States or Canada. They may be no more than six years past the completion of their most recent PhD. Nomination by a department head or senior scholar is required. The foundation does not accept direct applications from candidates. The nomination deadline is September 15. A total of 116 Fellows are selected each year, out of more than 500 nominations. For more information, write to Sloan Research Fellowships, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, 630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2550, New York, New York 10111-0242.

Social Science Research Council International Dissertation Research Fellowship
The Social Science Research Council and the American Council of Learned Societies sponsor the International Dissertation Field Research Fellowship (IDRF) program for graduate students in humanities and social sciences conducting doctoral dissertation field research worldwide. A total of 50 fellowships of approximately $20,000 each are awarded each year with funds provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Candidates must be full-time graduate students attending doctoral programs in the US, but do not need to be US citizens. Recipients must have completed all PhD requirements except for fieldwork and the disseration by the start of their fellowship. The application deadline is November 10, 2005. For more information, visit www.ssrc.org/programs/idrf or send email to idrf@ssrc.org.

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
The Soros Fellowships provide for up to two years of graduate study in the US for "New Americans". The fellowships cover half tuition plus a maintenance grant of $20,000. New Americans include resident aliens (i.e., holders of a Green Card), naturalized US citizens, and the children of two parents who are both naturalized US citizens. Fellows may pursue graduate degrees in any professional field, such as engineering, medicine, law, and social work, or any scholarly discipline in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences. A total of 30 Soros Fellows are selected each year, out of approximately 900 applicants. Candidates must not be older than 30 years of age. The deadline is November 1. For more information, write to Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, 400 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019, call 1-212-547-6926, or send email to pdsoros_fellows@sorosny.org.

Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowships for Research Related to Education
The Spencer Foundation's Dissertation Fellowships for Research Related to Education are open to doctoral degree candidates at graduate schools in the United States. The emphasis is on the improvement of education. Candidates should be interested in pursuing a career in education research. This is a competitive program, with 30 fellowships being awarded out of approximately 500 applications. The application deadline is in October. For more information write to Dissertation Fellowship Program, The Spencer Foundation, 875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3930, Chicago, Illinois 60611-1803, call 1-312-274-6526 or send email to fellows@spencer.org.

Harry S. Truman Scholarships
The Harry S. Truman Scholarships are open to college juniors who are US citizens and nationals and who want to go to graduate school in preparation for a career in public service (government or the nonprofit and advocacy sectors). The scholarship consists of a $26,000 grant. Truman Scholars are selected on the basis of their potential as future "change agents" who will improve the ways public entities serve the public good. Candidates should also have an extensive record of campus and community service. Candidates must be nominated by their college or university. Each college may nominate up to four students. (Four-year colleges and universities may also nominate up to three transfer students from two-year colleges.) Approximately 600 students are nominated and between 75 and 80 Truman Scholars are selected each year. The deadline is in early February.

Morris K. Udall Foundation Environmental Public Policy and Conflict Resolution PhD Fellowships
The Morris K. Udall Foundation awards two PhD dissertation fellowships of $24,000 to graduate students in the areas of environmental public policy or environmental conflict resolution. Candidates must be US citizens, permanent residents, or nationals. The application deadline is in early February. For more information, write to Morris K. Udall Dissertation Fellowship Program, Attn: Melissa Millage, 130 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701-1922, call 1-520-670-5542, or fax 1-520-670-5530.

Wenner-Gren Fellowships
The Wenner-Gren Foundation awards grants of up to $25,000 for Dissertation Fieldwork for basic research in anthropology. (They also award $25,000 Post-PhD Grants and $40,000 Richard Carely Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowships for research in anthropology.) Candidates for the Dissertation Fieldwork Grants must be enrolled in a program leading to a doctoral degree, and must complete all requirements for the degree other than the dissertation. Applications are made jointly with the candidate's thesis advisor or other scholar who will supervise the project. US citizenship is not required. Deadlines are May 1 and January 1. For more information, call 1-212-683-5000, fax 1-212-683-9151, write to The Wenner-Gren Foundation, 470 Park Avenue South, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016-6819, or send email to inquiries@wennergren.org.

National Professional Organizations

National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA)
NAFA is a national professional organization for college personnel who advise students on applying for prestigious scholarships and fellowships like the Truman, Marshall and Rhodes Scholarships. For more information, write to info@nafadvisors.org.