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New Mexico State University

Major National Scholarships

The following is a list of major national scholarship competitions. Be sure to remember important deadlines.

Some major national scholarships require an institutional nomination, and thus applicants must submit applications to the Office of National Scholarships (Conroy 204) by the stated campus deadline.

You can also search our database of opportunities by different criteria.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program

The Carnegie Endowment offers one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. Junior Fellows provide research assistance to Associates working on the Carnegie Endowment’s projects such as non-proliferation, democracy building, trade, US leadership, China-related issues and Russian/Eurasian studies. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for books, co-author journal articles and policy papers, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, activists, journalists and government officials.

Website: http://www.carnegieendowment.org/about/index.cfm?fa=jrFellows

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management is an alliance of fourteen schools of business in partnership with corporate America, working to facilitate the entry of minorities into managerial positions in business. The Consortium recruits college-trained African American, Hispanic American, and Native American United States citizens and invites them to compete for merit-based fellowships for graduate study leading to a Master's Degree in Business.

Website: http://www.cgsm.org

Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships For Minorities

To increase the presence of underrepresented minorities on the nation's college and university faculties, to enhance diversity on campuses, and to address the persisting effects of past discrimination, the Ford Foundation offers pre-doctoral fellowships to members of six minority groups whose under-representation in the professoriate has been severe and long-standing. The fellowship program identifies individuals with demonstrated ability and provides them the opportunity to engage in graduate study leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree. These successful scholars then inspire other students of color to pursue an academic career in teaching and research.

Website: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/fordfellowships/fordpredoc.html

Fulbright

The U.S. Student Program is designed to give recent B.S./B.A. graduates, master's and doctoral candidates, and young professionals and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience. Most grantees plan their own programs. Projects may include university coursework, independent library or field research, classes in a music conservatory or art school, special projects in the social or life sciences, or a combination. Recent projects have involved cancer research in the UK, free market development in Mauritius, women's rights in Chile and contemporary artistic expression in India. Along with opportunities for intellectual, professional, and artistic growth, the Fulbright Program offers invaluable opportunities to meet and work with people of the host country, sharing daily life as well as professional and creative insights. The program promotes cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding on a person-to-person basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom. The best way to appreciate others' viewpoints, their beliefs, the way they think, and the way they do things, is to interact with them directly on an individual basis – work with them, live with them, teach with them, learn with them, and learn from them.

Website: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html

Gates-Cambridge

In establishing the Gates Cambridge Scholars program, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hopes to create a network of future leaders from around the world who will bring new vision and commitment to improving the life circumstances of citizens in their respective countries. Over time, it is anticipated that Gates Cambridge Scholars will become leaders in helping to address global problems related to health, equity, technology, and learning - all areas that the Foundation is deeply engaged in.

The program will offer a substantial number of scholarships for study as an affiliated student or to pursue taught or research courses of postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.

Website: http://www.gates.scholarships.cam.ac.uk/

Golden Key

Graduate Scholar Award gives twelve $10,000 scholarships used for post-baccalaureate or professional study at accredited institutions of higher learning (does not have to be in the U.S. or have a Golden Key chapter). Judging criteria include academic merit, campus/community/work commitments and significant involvement in local Golden Key chapter. Recipients must plan to enroll in graduate school in the fall of year received. Member does not have to be a U.S. citizen; member can apply up to five years after graduation; applicants may continue to re-apply as long as they are eligible, but previous recipients may not re-apply.

Website: http://www.goldenkey.org/GKweb/ScholarshipsandAwards

Goldwater

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually.

Website: http://www.act.org/goldwater

The Hertz Foundation

The Hertz Foundation's Graduate Fellowship award is for study in the application of physical sciences. The award is based on merit (not need) and consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a personal-support stipend. The cost-of-education allowance is accepted by all of the tenable schools in lieu of all fees and tuition. Hertz Fellows therefore have no liability for any ordinary educational costs, regardless of their choice among tenable schools.

The personal stipend, paid over the nine-month academic year, is approximately $25,000. The Fellowship award is renewable annually (upon a showing of satisfactory progress toward receipt of the Ph.D. degree) for a total Fellowship tenure of no more than five years. Fellows must attend one of the Foundation's tenable schools.

Website: http://www.hertzfndn.org

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers two competitions: one for students currently attending two-year/community colleges and planning to transfer to four-year institutions and one for continuing four-year college students, its Graduate Scholarship Program. The Graduate award is a highly competitive scholarship worth up to $50,000 a year. It may be used for all fields, including law and medicine.

Website: http://www.jackkentcookefoundation.org/jkcf_web/home.aspx?Page=Main

Jacob K. Javits Fellowship

The program provides financial assistance to students of superior ability, as demonstrated by their achievements and exceptional promise, to undertake study at the doctoral and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) level in selected fields of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Panels of experts appointed by the Javits Fellowship Board (Board) select fellows according to criteria established by the Board. Students must also demonstrate financial need by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Website: http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsjavits/index.html

James Madison

Madison Fellowships are awarded to students who are about to complete, or have recently completed, their undergraduate course of study and plan to begin graduate work on a full-time basis. The Fellowships are intended exclusively for graduate study leading to a master's degree. Each individual entering the James Madison Fellowship Program will be expected to pursue and complete a master's degree in one of the following (listed in order of preference): Master of Arts degree (MA) in American history or in political science (also referred to as "government and politics" or as "government"); Master of Arts in Teaching degree (MAT) concentrating on either American Constitutional history (in a history department) or American government, political institutions and political theory (in a political science department); Master of Education degree (MEd) or the Master of Arts or Master of Science in Education, with a concentration in American history or American government, political institutions, and political theory. The maximum amount of each award is $24,000, prorated over the period of study.

Website: http://www.jamesmadison.com

Marshall

Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. The Scholarships are tenable at any British university and cover two years of study in any discipline, at either undergraduate or graduate level, leading to the award of a British University degree.

The Scholarships were founded by an Act of Parliament in 1953 and commemorate the humane ideals of the European Recovery Programme (Marshall Plan). They are funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and administered by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission in the UK (for which the Association of Commonwealth Universities provides the Secretariat) and in the US by the British Embassy in Washington DC and seven regional Consulates-General.

Website: http://www.marshallscholarship.org

Mitchell

The US-Ireland Alliance has established the George J. Mitchell Scholarships to educate future American leaders about the island of Ireland and to provide tomorrow's leaders with an understanding about, an interest in, and an affinity with, the island from which 44 million Americans claim descent. Twelve Scholarships are awarded each year. Scholars are eligible to attend institutions of higher learning in Ireland, including the seven universities in the Republic of Ireland and the two universities in Northern Ireland, for one academic year of graduate study.

Website: http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=34

National Science Foundation

Among the NSF programs of interest to seniors and graduate students is the Graduate Research Fellowship Awards. Through this program the National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science, mathematics, and engineering in the United States and to reinforce its diversity.

The NSF awards approximately 1,000 new three-year Graduate Research Fellowships in March of each year. NSF Fellows are expected to contribute significantly to research, teaching, and industrial applications in science, mathematics, and engineering.

Applicants must be United States citizens or nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States. Those eligible to apply are college seniors, first-year graduate students, and others who have completed a limited amount of graduate study in science, mathematics, or engineering. Women who intend to pursue graduate degrees in engineering or in computer and information science and engineering and who meet the eligibility requirements above can apply for the additional WENG or WICS awards.

Website: http://www.nsfgradfellows.org

National Security Education Program: David L. Boren Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships

NSEP was designed to provide American students with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experience in countries and areas of the world critical to the future security of the United States. As a student of another culture and language you will begin to acquire the international competence you need to communicate effectively across borders, understand other perspectives and analyze increasingly fluid economic and political realities. The amount of an NSEP Boren scholarship award is based on financial need, as certified by your institution's financial aid office. The amount will vary from the cost of participation in a proposed study abroad program, to partial support. The maximum scholarship award for any one academic term in a study abroad program will be about $10,000 or $20,000 for an academic year. The minimum award will be $2,500 for summer, $4,000 for one semester or $6,000 for an academic year.

Website (Undergraduate awards): http://www.iie.org/programs/nsep/undergraduate/default.htm

Website (Graduate awards): http://www.iie.org/programs/nsep/graduate/default.htm

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Each year, Phi Kappa Phi offers 52 Fellowships of $8,000 each and 30 Awards of Excellence of $1,500 each. Every chapter has the opportunity to submit one nominee and each person nominated receives an Active-For-Life membership in the Society. Since the Fellowship Program's inception, more than 2,000 students have benefited.

The multidisciplinary nature of Phi Kappa Phi is reflected in its Fellowship and Award of Excellence recipients. Awardees represent a variety of fields including biology, chemistry, engineering, political science, mathematics and psychology. Likewise, the professions they select are equally diverse: law, medicine, business, education, science, or the arts.

Website: http://www.phikappaphi.org/Web/Scholarships/graduatefellowship.html

Rhodes

The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest international fellowships, were initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, and bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to the University of Oxford. The first American Scholars were elected in 1904.

Rhodes Scholars are elected for two years of study at the University of Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. All educational costs, such as matriculation, tuition, laboratory and certain other fees, are paid on the Scholar's behalf by the Rhodes Trustees. Each Scholar receives in addition a maintenance allowance adequate to meet necessary expenses for term-time and vacations. The Rhodes Trustees cover the necessary costs of travel to and from Oxford, and upon application, may approve additional grants for research purposes or study-related travel.

Website: http://www.rhodesscholar.org

Rotary International

The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program is Ambassadorial Scholarships, established in 1947. Since that time, more than 30,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today, the Ambassadorial Scholarships Program of The Rotary Foundation is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program. Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships provide funding for one academic year of study in another country. This award is intended to help cover round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and board expenses, and some educational supplies up to US$25,000 or its equivalent.

Website: http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/prospect/index.html

Soros

The purpose of The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans is to provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen fields and to partake of the American dream. Fellows must have shown potential in the fields for which they seek further education; the capacity for creativity, persistence and work; and the commitment to the values of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which protect the American dream. The Program is established in recognition of the contributions New Americans have made to American life and in gratitude for the opportunities the United States has afforded the donors and their family.

Each year the Fellow receives a maintenance grant of approximatley $20,000 (paid in two installments) and a tuition grant of one-half the tuition cost of the U.S. graduate program attended by the Fellow.

Website: http://www.pdsoros.org

Truman

The Truman Scholarship is a $26,000 merit-based grant awarded to undergraduate students, who wish financial support to attend graduate or professional school in preparation for careers in government, the non-profit sector or elsewhere in public service.

The Foundation seeks candidates who have extensive records of public and community service, are committed to careers in government or elsewhere in public service, and have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills. Financial need is not a consideration.

Website: http://www.truman.gov

Udall

The Foundation will award approximately 75 scholarships to outstanding students, to be known as Morris K. Udall Scholars. The awards will be made on the basis of merit to two groups of students:

  1. Those who are college sophomores or juniors in the current academic year, have outstanding potential, and who study the environment and related fields.
  2. Native American and Alaska Native students who are college sophomores or juniors in the current academic year, have outstanding potential, and are in fields related to health care or tribal public policy.

Two-year and four-year institutions are eligible to nominate a total of six students from either or both categories, although it is recommended that the total be equally divided between them. To be considered, a student must be nominated by his or her college or university using the official nomination materials provided to each institution. Each scholar receives up to $5,000, or the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board, whichever is less. Scholarship recipients are eligible for one year of scholarship support per application year. Scholarship monies not used during one academic year are not transferable to the succeeding academic year. Scholars selected during their sophomore year may be re-nominated during the next year's competition. Junior nominees may not be re-nominated. Freshmen are not eligible.

Website: http://www.udall.gov/udall.asp?link=200