Fellowships list
Below is a list of awards to which the fellowships office recommends high-achieving students apply. Fellowship opportunities below are organized by year students should apply. Please note, though you might apply during your junior year for a fellowship, you should begin preparing to apply before that time. It is never too early to begin thinking about which award(s) would best fit your academic and professional goals.
Other fellowships and opportunities that are not supported by the Office of Fellowships, but may be of interest to students can be found on the Additional Opportunities webpage.
In addition to basic information, we provide some specific information about dates and deadlines:
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Campus Start: the date by which you should contact the fellowships office that you are interested in applying for the fellowship during the appropriate year.
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Campus Decision: the date by which you will need to submit your final application to the fellowships office to be reviewed and determined if you will be one of the candidates for the fellowship from Wayne State University.
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Scholarship Deadline: the external deadline for the fellowship. If you are chosen as a candidate from WSU, you will need to submit your application by this date to the fellowship website (following the directions laid out on the respective pages).
Nationally competitive fellowships
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Critical Language Scholarship
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline to guarantee feedback on materials (send to studyabroad@wayne.edu for material review)
- Fellowship deadline: November 19, 2024 at 8:00 pm EST
- Focus: Languages
- Open to: Undergrad and graduate
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen
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Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants, of up to $5,000, for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, career-oriented internships abroad.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline to guarantee feedback on materials (send to studyabroad@wayne.edu for material review)
- Fellowship deadline: Thursday, March 6 2025, at 11:59pm PST
- Focus: Study abroad
- Open to: Undergrad
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, Pell Grant eligible
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Boren Scholarships (undergraduate only)
Boren Scholarships provide undergraduate students 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 their commitment to seek work in the federal government. The program funds up to $25,000 to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: January 29, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
- Focus: Public Service and government
- Open to: Undergrad
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen
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Fulbright UK Summer Institute
The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes are three or four week programs for US undergraduate students. Participants can explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK while experiencing higher education at a UK university.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: February 3, 2025
- Focus: All fields
- Open to: Undergrad with at least 2 years left in degree
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, 3.6+ GPA, little to no travel abroad experience
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Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program 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 usually selects participants each year from universities throughout the United States. This program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: February 5, 2025
- Focus: Foreign Service
- Open to: Undergrad
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, 3.2+ GPA
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The Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship
The Voyager Scholarship was created by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO, to help shape such leaders. Even though they come from different backgrounds, both the President and Brian believe that exposure to new places and experiences generates understanding, empathy, and cooperation which equips the next generation to create meaningful change. Voyager Scholars receive up to $25,000 in financial aid for their junior and senior years of college along with a $10,000 stipend and travel credit for summer travel.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: March 27, 2024 at at 11:59 PM Central Time
- Focus: Plan to pursue a public service career
- Open to: Sophomores
- Eligibility: U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or DACA recipient; 3.0+ GPA
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Barry Goldwater Scholarship
Created to alleviate a critical current and future shortage of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers and to provide a continuing source of highly qualified individuals to those fields of academic study and research. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship can be used at any accredited institution for a maximum of two years.
- Campus deadline: Friday, December 6, 2024
- Fellowship deadline: January 31, 2025 (5:00 PM CT)
- Focus: STEM
- Open to: Sophomores and Juniors
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, 3.7+ GPA
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Harry S. Truman Scholarship
The Truman Scholarship is a $30,000 grant awarded to undergraduate students who wish financial support to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government, the non-profit sector or elsewhere in public service.
- Campus deadline: Friday, December 6, 2024
- Fellowship deadline: February 4, 2025, 11:59 pm EST
- Focus: Public Service and Government
- Open to: Juniors
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen
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Udall Foundation Scholarship
The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. The scholarship awards up to $7,000 per grantee.
- Campus deadline: Friday, January 24, 2025
- Fellowship deadline: March 5, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. MST
- Focus: Environmental Studies or Native American Leaders
- Open to: Sophomores and Juniors
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, 3.0+ GPA
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Boren Fellowship (graduate)
Boren Fellowships are open to graduating seniors and current graduate students to apply for funding for a study abroad program in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. national security interests. The primary aim of the Boren Fellowship is for its recipients to develop critical language skills that prepare them to complete at least one year of work in the federal government. Fellows are awarded up to $25,000.
- Campus deadline: Friday, January 12, 2024
- Fellowship deadline: January 22, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
- Focus: Public Service and government
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen
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Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program
The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers approximately 12-14 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. They are selected from a pool of nominees nominated by several hundred participating universities and colleges. James C. Gaither Junior Fellows work as research assistants to Carnegie's senior scholars.
Final decisions and nominations are made through the Political Science Department.- Campus deadline: December 6, 2024 (submit to brad.roth@wayne.edu)
- Fellowship deadline: January 15, 2025
- Focus: Foreign policy, diplomacy, conflict, geo-economics, cyber policy, international affairs
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: Work rights within U.S.
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Fulbright Program
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers six to twelve-month opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide.
- Campus deadline: August 23, 2024
- Fellowship deadline: October 8, 2024 by 5pm ET
- Focus: Research and teaching in all academic subjects
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, 3.3+ GPA
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Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship seeks scholars who will become leaders in helping to address global problems related to health, equity, and technology. Successful applicants will have the ability to make a significant contribution to their discipline while in Cambridge, with a strong aptitude for research, analysis and a creative approach to defining and solving problems.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: October 16, 2024, 12 p.m. (noon) local U.S. time zone
- Focus: Foreign policy, diplomacy, conflict, geo-economics, cyber policy, international affairs
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: Work rights within U.S.
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Marshall Scholarships
Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a one to two-year degree in the United Kingdom. Up to fifty Scholars are selected each year to study at graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study.
- Campus deadline: August 23, 2024
- Fellowship deadline: September 24, 2024 5:00pm EST
- Focus: U.S./U.K. relationship
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, 3.7+ GPA
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The George J. Mitchell Scholarship
*13 March 2024, Arlington, VA: The US-Ireland Alliance today announced its decision to pause the selection of future classes of George J. Mitchell Scholars as it considers the long-term sustainability of the prestigious post-graduate program that sends future American leaders to the island of Ireland.*
The Mitchell Scholarship is designed to introduce and connect future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to public service. Scholars receive funding for one academic year of graduate study at a university in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
- Campus deadline: TBD (paused)
- Fellowship deadline: TBD (paused)
- Focus: U.S./Ireland alliance
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, age 18-30
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Rhodes Scholarships
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.
- Campus deadline: August 23, 2024
- Fellowship deadline: October 2, 2024 by 11:59pm EST
- Focus: Study at Oxford in respective field
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: U.S., Chinese, or Indian citizen, age 18-23, 3.7+ GPA
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Rangel International Affairs Program
The Rangel Program offers graduate fellowships to outstanding seniors and college graduates who want to join the Foreign Service. These fellowships help finance two-year graduate programs, provide two summer internships, mentoring from a Foreign Service Officer, and other professional development activities.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: Thursday September 19, 2024
- Focus: Foreign Service
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, 3.2+ GPA
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Payne International Development Fellowship
The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding young people who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). If you want to work on the front lines of some of the most pressing global challenges of our times — poverty, hunger, injustice, disease, environmental degradation, climate change, conflict and violent extremism – the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development provides an opportunity to advance U.S. foreign policy interests and reflect the American people's compassion and support of human dignity. The Payne Fellowship, which provides up to $90,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities, provides a unique pathway to the USAID Foreign Service.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: October 24, 2024 11:59pm EST
- Focus: International development
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, 3.2+ GPA
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Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program
The Pickering Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to promote positive change in the world. Upon successful completion of a two-year master's degree program and fulfillment of Foreign Service entry requirements, fellows have the opportunity to work as Foreign Service Officers in accordance with applicable law and State Department policy, serving in Washington, DC and at a U.S. embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission around the globe. Fellows also agree to a minimum five-year service commitment in the Department of State's Foreign Service. The five-year service commitment begins upon entry into the Foreign Service.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: September 26, 2024
- Focus: Foreign Service
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, 3.2+ GPA
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Samvid Scholars
Samvid Scholars is a new scholarship for future leaders and changemakers. It was established in 2021 to invest in the graduate education of future leaders who are committed to effecting positive change in society. The Samvid Scholars program supports up to $50,000 per year for two years of graduate study. In addition to funding for graduate program, each Scholar will receive two years of leadership development programming. All Scholars will have access to robust ongoing programming and will be part of an alumni community of mentorship, collaboration, and lifelong relationships.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: April 7, 2024
- Focus: Pursing graduate school for one of the following degrees: MD, MBA, JD, MPP, MPH, EdD, MS/MA in social sciences or STEM
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen or DACA recipient, 3.5+ GPA
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Schwarzman Scholars
Schwarzman Scholars receive fully-funded, one-year, master's program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. The program is designed to build a global community of future leaders who will serve to deepen understanding between China and the rest of the world.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: September 12, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. EDT
- Focus: China relations
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: Age 18-29
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Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship
The Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship (formerly known as the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship) is an 8-week program where Global Interns will participate in a work placement in an Irish organization and receive academic credit. Ten (10) exceptional student leaders will be selected for a transformative summer internship program in Dublin, Ireland, where they will draw inspiration from the legacies of two remarkable social justice leaders: Frederick Douglass and Daniel O'Connell. Students seeking a rich international experience that combines real-world work experience in Ireland with an exciting overview of Irish history and culture are encouraged to apply.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: November 29, 2024
- Focus: Social Justice Leadership
- Open to: Undergraduate freshman, sophomore or junior
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident; Pell-eligible; minimum GPA of 3.0
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Soros Fellowship for New Americans
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program honors the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Each year, we invest in the graduate education of 30 New Americans—immigrants and children of immigrants—who are poised to make significant contributions to US society, culture or their academic field. Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 in financial support over two years, and they join a lifelong community of New American Fellows.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: October 31, 2024 at 2pm ET
- Focus: All fields; graduate degree funding
- Open to: Seniors and recent grads
- Eligibility: New American status; 30 years or younger
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PPIA Junior Summer Institute (JSI) Fellowship Program
The PPIA Junior Summer Institute (JSI) Fellowship Program is a rigorous academic graduate-level preparation program for undergraduate juniors committed to public service careers. The program was started to address the lack of diversity across the spectrum of professional public service, including government, nonprofits, public policy institutions, and international organizations.The purpose of the JSI Fellowship is to prepare students to obtain a Master’s or a joint degree in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: November 1, 2024
- Focus: Public Service
- Open to: Undergraduate juniors
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient
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Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship
The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. The internship between the first and second years of the award provides the scholars with hands-on, practical experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include travel 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 scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship.
- Recommended Application Start Time: Two months before fellowship deadline (to guarantee feedback on materials)
- Fellowship deadline: January 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
- Focus: STEM
- Open to: Sophomores and Juniors; Transfer students
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, 3.0+ GPA