What are fellowships?
A fellowship or scholarship provides a recipient with funds to
support academic study or research. Some fellowships also provide funds for
living expenses, books, and travel related to the fellow's area of academic
interest. Many types of fellowships exist. Fellowships are awarded at the
undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, and professional level of study. There
are special types of fellowships available. This guide discusses fellowships
that are primarily awarded to graduating seniors. However, some of these are
available to current graduate students or alumni.
Many of the fellowships reviewed in this guide support
graduate study abroad. Others, such as the National Science Foundation Grants
for Graduate Study, can support study in the U.S. or abroad. Others, such as
the Department of Defense's National Defense Student Education Grant
fellowships, support graduate study only in the U.S.
Why apply?
One reason is money! Many fellowships provide more ample
funds for study than the traditional grants awarded to beginning graduate
students. However, the time and energy needed to apply for a fellowship
require applicants to look beyond the funds to the experience itself. It is
very difficult to obtain funds to study abroad. Fellowships such as the
Fulbright, Marshall, Churchill, Rotary, and Rhodes allow you to do just that.
Science and engineering require international communication. Ironically, most scientists
and engineers obtain most of their early education and experience in the U.S.
The opportunity to go abroad for one or two years to study and do research will
enlarge your knowledge of how science or engineering is "done"
elsewhere, allow you to make international contacts that can last a lifetime,
and learn how scientists and engineers are viewed in another culture.
Applying for a fellowship or scholarship may seem like a major
endeavor. However, if you are applying to graduate school, applying for
fellowships is a directly related activity. In graduate and fellowship
applications, you must write an essay that outlines your professional goals and
objectives for graduate study. Both require letters of recommendation. In
contrast to the mid-winter deadline dates for graduate school application,
fellowships usually have fall application deadlines. Those applying for
fellowships "get a jump" on the graduate school application process.
Where can I study?
Some fellowships such as the Fulbright and Rotary will allow a
great range of country options. Others will limit you to a particular country:
e.g., the Marshall restricts applicants to study in Great Britain. Others will
restrict you to a particular university: e.g., the Churchill to Churchill
College, Cambridge or Hertz restricts you to a group of U.S. graduate schools.
How do I apply?
This guide will describe the basic application procedures and
requirements. It is best for you to consult the actual application material
itself for specific details. It is also recommended that you meet with Lauren
Stolper, Director of Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad to discuss your
specific situation.
Where is the Fellowships Advising & Study Abroad Office located?
The Fellowships Advising & Study Abroad Office is located
in the Center for Student Services, off Holliston Avenue, Building 87 on the
campus map. Our office is on the 3rd floor in the south wing of the
building, Room 319, across from the Information
Management Systems and Services office (IMSS).
Caltech Guide to Fellowships and
Scholarships 2007-2008
Written by:
Lauren Stolper, Director
Updated by:
Valery Graham, Administrative Assistant
Please note that unless specified otherwise, applications and
further information on the fellowships listed below are available from:
Fellowships Advising & Study Abroad
Center for Student Services
Room 319, 3rd Floor
M/C 319-87
Extension 2150
www.fasa.caltech.edu
Please Note:
Though this guide is updated annually, not all information is
available at time of printing. Be sure to check the sponsor’s website for the
most current up-to-date information.
Overview
The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) provides
fellowships for advanced research or study in Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
Norway, and Sweden. Fellowships are intended to support a yearlong stay and
priority is given to graduate students for dissertation-related study or
research. Fellowships are valued at up to $20,000. The number of awards
depends on the total funds available by country.
Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Applicants must have received their undergraduate degree by the time that they
begin their study or project in Scandinavia. ASF prefers applicants to have
some ability in the language of their host country. Applicants must have a
well-defined study project that makes a stay in Scandinavia essential. The ASF
prefers to support senior graduate students at the dissertation level for
yearlong study or research. Smaller grants of approximately $4,000 are
available to support one to three months of postdoctoral study.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applicants must provide a completed ASF application,
references, and transcripts to ASF by November 1. All material must reach ASF
by this date. Award results are announced by March 15. Applications are
available in our office. For more information, their web site is
<www.amscan.org>.
Overview
The Churchill funds one year of study and research in the
sciences, mathematics, or engineering at Churchill College, Cambridge
University, England. Twelve awards are given yearly. All tuition and fees are
paid. Students enrolled in the nine-month programs will receive an annual
allowance of £10,000 and those in the twelve-month programs will receive
£12,000. They also receive a travel allowance of $1,000. Married students who
are accompanied by their spouses receive an additional allowance
of £500. Depending on the field of study and recent rates of
exchange, the value of a Churchill Scholarship is approximately $48,000 to
$50,000.
Churchill Foundation also funds Special Research Grant
Program. Churchill Scholars will be eligible for up to $2,000 in research
expenses approved in advance by the Foundation. The Special Research Grant
maybe used to pay for travel to a conference where a Churchill Scholar has been
invited to present a paper, to buy specialized software related to his or her
research interests, and other expenses that the Foundation will consider on a
case-to-case basis.
Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Only graduating seniors are
eligible to apply. Applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 26.
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree at the time the scholarship begins.
Applicants may hold a Master's, but not a Ph.D. Applicants should have good
character and demonstrate a concern about the critical issues that face the
world.
Applicants should have an exceptional academic record.
Winners have at least a 3.7 G.P.A. The selection committee is also seeking
applicants that have demonstrated their originality through creative work in
their field of study or interest. Applicants need strong letters of
recommendation and must take the general test of the GRE no later than November
of their senior year.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applications are available in the early fall from the
Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad Office. Caltech can nominate two
students to the national committee. The Churchill Selection Committee
interviews all applicants in early November. Two applicants will be chosen to
go forward to the national competition. There will be six reviewers in the
National Churchill Committee: five academic, one industrial and one chair. They
will rank 20-25 students for 12 fellowships. The National Churchill Committee
informs nominees in January whether their application will be forwarded to
Cambridge University for review. Winners are announced by early April. The
Churchill Scholarships website is <www.winstonchurchillfoundation.org>.
NOTE WELL: All applicants for the Churchill Scholarship must now apply
directly to the University of Cambridge at the mid-October deadline for New
Applicants from the USA. (The Cambridge web site will give the exact date.)
Overview
Computational Science Graduate Fellowship Program is sponsored
by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Office of Scientific Computing.
The program supports full-time doctoral study in the United States in an
applied science or engineering discipline with applications in high-performance
computing.
Fellowships are granted for one-year renewable terms from
September 1 through August 31 of each year. This fellowship can cover up to 48
months of graduate study. These fellowships will provide tuition, fees, a
yearly stipend of $31,200, an allowance of $1,000 annually for research, and up
to $2,500 for a computer workstation.
Requirements
Students must be planning full-time, uninterrupted PhD study
in the life, physical, engineering, and mathematical sciences at a U.S.
university. Support of this fellowship is limited to 4 years and must be
renewed each year. Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or permanent
resident aliens who are exceptional senior undergraduates or in their first or
second year of graduate study.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
The application is straightforward and, in addition to standard
background information, requests a statement of career and academic goals, a
list of current and planned courses, a transcript, three references and GRE
scores. Applications are available by September of each year and must be submitted
online by January 9.
Applications are available in our office or can be ordered
directly from the program coordinator at 515-956-3696 or email csgf@krellinst.org.
For more information, visit their website at <www.krellinst.org/csgf>.
Overview
The DOD National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate
Fellowship Program can be used at any accredited U.S. university for graduate
study. The awards basically support graduate students in fields important to
national defense needs. However, this stipulation should be broadly construed
and most prospective graduate students in the sciences and engineering are
eligible to apply. For example, the biosciences are an eligible field.
The NDSEG Fellowships are intended for students who are at or
near the beginning or their graduate study for a Ph.D. in science or
engineering. Ninety-seven percent of fellowships are awarded to students who
are graduating seniors or in their first year of graduate study. Fellowships
are awarded for a maximum period of three years of graduate study. The actual
number of awards varies from year to year depending upon the available funding.
Over 10,000 applications are received each year. Applications are encouraged
from minority students, women, and those with disabilities. Ten percent of
these awards are set-aside for applicants from underrepresented minority
groups. The first year stipend is approximately $30,500 based
on a 12-month academic year. In addition tuition and academic fees will be
paid. The award can be renewed for two more years of support if the student
has made satisfactory academic progress.
Requirements
Applicants must be citizens or national of the United States –
proof of citizenship is a requirement. Permanent residents are not eligible for
this fellowship. The NDSEG covers graduate study in the following fields:
aeronautical and astronautical engineering, biosciences, chemistry and chemical
engineering, cognitive, neural and behavioral sciences, computer sciences,
electrical engineering, geosciences, manufacturing and industrial engineering,
materials science and engineering, mathematics, mechanical engineering, naval
architecture and ocean engineering, oceanography and physics. Applicants must
be graduating seniors or graduate students at or near the beginning of their
graduate study.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
All applicants must submit their applications online. Detailed
instructions for electronic submission and for mailing supporting documents are
integrated into the online application which can be found at
<www.asee.org/ndseg>. All applications must be postmarked by the deadline
of January 7. Applicants are notified on or about March 30 regarding the
outcome of the selection process.
Overview
The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors a number of awards. DOE sponsors approximately one
hundred additional fellowship opportunities.
Opportunities are available for faculty, those seeking post-docs, graduate
students and undergraduates who are interested in research related to energy
concerns. The Oak Ridge Institute administers the DOE awards for Science and
Education (ORISE). ORISE publishes a detailed guide that describes these
additional opportunities. It is available for review in the Fellowship Office.
These awards require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Some awards are
restricted to U.S. citizens only.
Overview
This program is designed to meet DOE needs for appropriately
trained personnel for the maintenance and development of nuclear power
technology and in research related to ongoing programs at DOE facilities.
Increasing costs for graduate education and a high demand for nuclear engineers
and health physicists with a bachelor’s degree have had a negative impact on
the number of well-qualified students seeking advanced degrees in fission
technologies and sciences. However, current and planned uses of fission
reactors for energy generation and research support at DOE facilities emphasize
the importance of the availability of appropriately educated, highly qualified
nuclear engineers and health physicists with advanced degrees. The fellowship
program is designed to encourage talented students to continue their education
and seek a graduate education in a related nuclear energy field. The program
will assist in preparing students for leadership roles in fission technology
and will also support the broader objective of advancing fission energy through
the research efforts of the fellows. Fellows receive a monthly stipend in the amount
of $1,700. The fellow’s basic stipend is augmented by a $300 (prorated)
dislocation allowance each month during the practicum.
Requirements
Students with undergraduate degrees in the physical sciences,
life sciences, or engineering are eligible to apply for the Nuclear
Engineering/Health Physics Fellowship. During the 2007-08 academic year the
program is open to entering and all graduate students, who will have at least
one full year of graduate work remaining at the beginning of September 2007.
Preference will continue to be given to entering graduate students. An
applicant may apply for either the Nuclear Engineering component or the Health
Physics component of the program, but NOT both. The award is limited to 24
months for master’s candidates and 48 months for doctoral candidates. A
fellowship appointment will not exceed 48 months and all appointments will be
prorated for previous graduate work. The length of the fellowship appointment
is based on the amount of graduate work completed before the initial fellowship
appointment date.
Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or permanent resident
aliens. It is the policy of MUSC to recruit and nominate participants without
regards to race, age, gender, religion, color, national origin, physical or
mental disability, or special disabled or Vietnam Era Veteran status.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Application forms will be available from approximately
September to January of each year. Applications from previous years or from
other fellowship programs may not be used.
Completed applications will be accepted until January 31 for fellowships
beginning the following September. An application is made up of the following
sections:
Application Form
References (3)
Official Transcripts (all undergraduate and graduate
transcripts required)
GRE scores (The ETS code for reporting GRE Scores to MUSC/
Special Programs Office is 5949)
Please Note: All parts of the application
must be received at The Special Programs Office at the Medical University of South
Carolina (MUSC) by the deadline. GRE scores are required
for a complete application. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be
reviewed for awards. GRE scores earned before October 1997 will not be
accepted. Award results will be announced in April.
Mail completed applications to:
Ms. Nancy Carder
Medical University of South Carolina
Special Programs Office
Nuclear Engineering/Health Physics Fellowship Program
19 Hagood Avenue, HOT – 304-H4
P.O. Box 250851
Charleston, SC 29425
Phone: (843) 792-1469
Fax: (843) 792-0235
Email: cardern@musc.edu
Please include fellowship program name on all of your
correspondence to MUSC.
Electronic applications can be found at
<www.musc.edu/specialprograms>.
Overview
DHS Scholarship and Fellowship program is a highly competitive
program designed to nurture the next generation of public-service oriented
scientists and engineers and encourage their long term commitment to homeland
security challenges.
DHS provides scholarships for undergraduate students and
fellowships for graduate students pursuing degrees in mission-relevant fields
of study. In addition to receiving full tuition, students participate in a
10-week summer research internship with a DHS office, DHS Research and
Education University Center, DHS laboratory or National laboratory. The
Fellowships provide full tuition and mandatory, nonrefundable fees as well as
$2,300 per month stipend for 12 months.
Additionally, Scholars and Fellows are brought to Washington
DC in November for an orientation meeting where they will have an opportunity
to meet DHS leaders and scientific personnel from the homeland security
research enterprise and participate in research internship fair.
Requirements
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen as of the application
deadline. You must have a cumulative undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.3. or
higher on a 4.0 scale.
You are eligible if:
You are pursuing a doctoral or master’s degree with a thesis
requirement in the physical sciences, mathematical sciences, computer and
information sciences, life sciences, social sciences, psychology, selected
humanities, or engineering. Please see “Field of Study” list online.
You are at least a college senior as of application deadline.
You have previously earned a bachelor’s degree but are not
currently enrolled, and have completed no more than two graduate courses since
completion of a bachelor’s degree.
You are enrolled in the first year of a PhD program as of
application deadline.
You are ineligible if:
You have earned a master’s or doctoral degree as of the
application deadline.
You are pursuing an MBA, MD, joint MD/PhD, JD or joint JD/PhD
degree.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applications will be evaluated by a panel of scientists and
engineers who are experts in one or more of the supported fields, based on the
student’s academic record and submitted test scores, reference reports,
proposed research essay and contribution to DHS essay.
January 31, 2006 – You must submit and electronic application
form, including all essay questions by 11:59PM
February 7, 2006 – You must have two electronic reference
report forms submitted on your behalf by 11:59PM; You must have an official
academic transcript from all postsecondary institutions on your behalf; You
must have an official GRE General Test Scores on your behalf.
GRE Subject Test Scores are recommended if a test is offered
in your academic discipline. The GRE Subject Test scores must be submitted on
your behalf from ETS by the February 7, 2006 postmark deadline.
If you are a U.S. citizen by birth and do not have a U.S.
passport, you must submit a copy of your birth certificate by February 7, 2006.
Please go to <www.orau.gov/dhsed> for more
information.
Overview
The Ford Foundation seeks to increase the number of minorities
who are underrepresented as faculty members in U.S. colleges and universities.
Fellowships are granted to those pursuing research or teaching careers.
Students may study the behavioral or social sciences, humanities, biological
sciences, mathematics, physical sciences and engineering. Students may study
in an interdisciplinary area. Awards will not be made to those seeking
professional degrees, the fine or performing arts, or education. Awards will
not be made for terminal Master's degrees. Seniors or current graduate
students can apply. Approximately 60 pre-doctoral and 29 dissertation fellowships
are awarded yearly. See the Ford brochure for more information on the
dissertation awards.
Predoctoral awards, which are granted to college seniors or
first and second year grad students, provide an annual stipend of $19,000 plus
a cost of education allowance of $3,000. Awards are for three years and can be
used at any accredited nonprofit U.S. institution granting Ph.D. or Sc.D.
degrees in the fields specified above.
Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and from one of the following
six ethnic groups: Alaskan Natives (Eskimo or Aleut), Native American Indians,
African Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Pacific Islanders, Puerto Ricans.
Applicants must have demonstrated ability in their area of academic study.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Graduating seniors and graduate students must submit scores
from the GRE General Test. Applicants must submit transcripts,
recommendations, a plan of study and a thoughtfully prepared application by the
application online submission deadline, which is usually on or around November
20. For more information, including a downloadable brochure, please visit:
<www7.nationalacademies.org/FORDfellowships/fordpredoc.html>
Overview
The Freeman Asia program supports US undergraduates to study
in the following countries: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan,
Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan,
Thailand, and Vietnam. The awards are $3,000 for a summer program, $5,000 for a
semester program, and $7,000 for an academic year program.
Requirements
Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. They
must be in good academic standing at accredited US colleges or universities.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need and priority is given to those who
have no previous experience in the country in which they plan to study. The
applicant must have at least one term of enrollment remaining at the home
institution in the U.S. upon returning from studying abroad in Asia.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applications are due at different times, depending on the
dates of the fellowship requested. See the website at
<www.iie.org/pgms/freeman-asia/>.
NOTE: Typically 500 apply for the
summer and about 50 students are funded.
Overview
There is a myriad of Fulbright grants available. This guide
will focus on the Fulbright Grants for Graduate Study that provides one year of
graduate study abroad. It should be noted that in most cases this year should
not be devoted to commencing Ph.D. studies. Rather, the applicant should have
a specific program of study or project that they wish to accomplish. The
Fulbright is a wonderful opportunity for graduate students completing their
Ph.D. studies and seeking post-doctoral year abroad or grad students needing to do a special project.
Fulbright requirements can vary according to the host country.
In most cases, applicants must have earned their bachelor's degree prior to
starting their grant. Applicants applying for a Fulbright through Caltech must
be U.S. citizens and have language proficiency in the language of the host
country. Those with other citizenship should contact their
country's embassy or consulate to inquire if their country participates in the
Fulbright program.
Recipients receive round-trip travel, tuition, living
expenses, books, and a language orientation course when necessary. The
Fulbright offers so many options that students can feel overwhelmed by the
brochure. Please feel free to consult with Lauren Stolper who acts as Caltech's
Fulbright Advisor if you need any assistance whatsoever in clarifying the
Fulbright options. The brochure, "Fulbright and Other Grants for Graduate
Study Abroad" provides information about awards in specific countries.
Teaching assistantships are also available through the Fulbright program.
Several countries seek individuals to teach science, math, or English. Grants
are also available in the performing arts. Again, the Fulbright brochure or
the fellowship advisor can help you find out about these grants. It should be
noted that no support is available for spouses.
Fulbright Awards for Cambridge and Oxford
Up to five Fulbright Cambridge Research
Scholarships will allow outstanding students to pursue a course of
research and study leading to the Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge. The
awards are tenable for up to three years. Round-trip travel from the U.S.,
fees, tuition, and a living allowance are paid. The Fulbright
Oxford Scholarships can be used with a regular Fulbright plus an
Overseas Research Student award to fund up to two years at Oxford. A third
year of funding for those studying for a Ph.D. is normally available.
Requirements
The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board seeks the
best-qualified students regardless of degree level. It is not necessary for
applicants to have specific career goals. Applicants must be citizens of the
United States and must have a BA or BS by the time they begin their period of
study as a Fulbright Scholar. Applicants should possess a solid G.P.A., 3.0
and up. Students with a track record of independent study experiences or
research are looked on with favor.
Applicants may not hold a doctoral degree at the time of
application, unless otherwise noted. Those already holding a Ph.D. degree at
the time of application should investigate the Fulbright Grants for Faculty and
Professionals. Information on this program can be accessed through the
Fulbright link given below.
One of the biggest myths of the Fulbright program is that
applicants must be proficient in the host country’s language to even consider
applying to any particular country. Although language proficiency may be a
factor in competitiveness, it does not mean that a candidate is ineligible to
apply. In general, an applicant should have the necessary language skills to
complete the project that they design using whatever language skills they have.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applications must be submitted to Fellowships
Advising in late September. The deadline date is announced well before
the summer break as it usually occurs during the first week of school. Student
Fulbright competition for 2008-09 will open on May 1, 2007. Applicants can
apply to only one country. However, applicants will be considered for all
grants within that country including teaching assistantships. Usually
individuals may apply to study any field taught at the university level.
Awards are also available to those in the performing arts. Occasionally a field
of study is "nonrecommended" for study in a particular country.
These fields are specified in the Fulbright brochure in the individual country
descriptions. The Fulbright Advisor must submit applications of endorsed
candidates to the International Institute of Education by the third week in
October. In January, applicants will be advised whether their application will
be recommended. Those selected as finalists will be notified by their
respective country committee between February and June. Applications are
available by May in Fellowships Advising or on the Web at
<www.iie.org/fulbright>.
Overview
The Gates Cambridge Trust offers about 100 Gates Cambridge
Scholarships for students from every country other than the United Kingdom who
are committed to serve their communities and who gain admission at the
University of Cambridge. In 2006, out of approximately 650 applications, 40 out
of 110 US students interviewed have been offered the scholarship. Applicants
may earn a second Bachelor’s degree; do a one-year postgraduate course; or
engage in research leading to a Ph.D. One to three years of funding are
available.
Requirements
Applicants for graduate study should
hold, or expect to be able to obtain before October of the
year the applicant wishes to begin their studies at Cambridge, a first class or
exceptionally a high second class honors degree or its equivalent from a
recognized University
gain admission to the University of Cambridge and to a
constituent College in due course
be able to meet the conditions set by the University for
admission, i.e., academic qualifications, evidence of proficiency in the
English language, etc.
normally be under the age of 30
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Interested applicants must complete the Board of Graduate
Studies on-line request form at <www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/gsprospectus/gsrequest.html>.
American citizens should apply through the U.S. Gates Committee. Visit the
website at <www.gates.scholarships.cam.ac.uk>
for future procedures and deadlines.
Overview
The GEM fellowship programs are designed to offer
opportunities for under-represented minority students to obtain M.S. degrees in
engineering and Ph.D. degrees in engineering and the natural and physical
sciences through a program of paid summer internships and graduate financial
assistance.
Eligibility
Candidates for participation in these programs are selected
from the following under-represented minority groups: African American, Mexican
American, American Indian, Puerto Rican American, and other Hispanic Americans.
The application must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application. In addition,
the following academic requirements must be satisfied:
M.S. Engineering Applicant: Must pursue the M.S. degree in the
same academic major as the baccalaureate, and currently be a junior, senior, or
graduate of an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology (ABET). Computer science and computer engineering
majors are also eligible; however, engineering technology majors are not
eligible. Minimum acceptable GPA is 2.80 on a 4.00 scale.
Ph.D. Engineering Applicant: Must have an M.S. degree or be
currently enrolled in an M.S. engineering degree program. Support will commence
upon completion of the M.S. degree. Minimum acceptable GPA is 3.00 on a 4.00
scale.
Ph.D. Science Applicant: Must be a junior, senior, or graduate
of a life science, mathematics, or physical science program, and enroll in a
graduate program in the same discipline. Minimum acceptable GPA is 3.00 on a
4.00 scale.
NOTE: Beginning with 2007 Fellowship cycle, GRE results are
required. (Code: 1305)
Financial Support
Both the M.S. engineering fellowship and the Ph.D. fellowships
pay tuition, fees, and a stipend. The summer internship for the M.S.
fellowship brings the total value of the award to between $20,000 and $60,000,
while the summer internship for the Ph.D. fellowship brings its total award to
between $60,000 and $100,000. Both depend on academic status at time of application
(i.e., junior, senior, graduate, or working professional), summer employer, and
graduate school costs.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applications, transcripts, and letters of recommendations are
due in the GEM Central Office no later than November 1. If using regular U.S.
Mail, you should mail your application at least seven working days prior to the
November 1 due date or use overnight mail to ensure delivery on short notice.
Applications are available in Fellowships Advising office or on their website
at <www.gemfellowship.org>.
Overview
The Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowships, sponsored by
the College of William of Mary, will provide a $5000 award for 3 U.S. college
students to work in the U.S. Embassies in Paris, London and Washington D.C.
Two of the three spots are open for students who do not attend College of
William and Mary. The fellowships are available during summer sessions only.
Candidates begin the application process by first applying to
the U.S. State Department Summer Intern Program. After the initial screening
and selection by the State Department, the Harriman Program Office will invite
eligible candidates, in February, to apply to the fellowship program.
Requirements
Selection into U.S. Department of State Summer Internship
Program for the year of application.
Be a continuing college or university junior continuing on to
the senior year, or a senior continuing on to graduate studies.
U.S. Citizen
Be in good academic standing at an accredited institution.
Outstanding academic record.
Official transcript.
Evidence of substantial scholarly research and/or creative
projects.
Evidence of leadership, public service, and commitment to
community.
Evidence of intent to continue education (post graduate
plans).
Completion of Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowships
application.
Security clearance (conducted by U.S. Department of State).
Institutional endorsement from candidate's college/university.
Strong, detailed letters of recommendation: 3 total, at least
2 of which must be from Faculty who have taught the student.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
The postmark deadline is November 1.
Please visit:
<www.wm.edu/harriman/harrimanfellowship.html> for an application and more
information.
Overview
The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships are
based on merit (not need). There are two options for Hertz Fellowships:
Option 1 – Five Year Hertz
$28,000 / 9 month Personal Stipend
Full Tuition Equivalent
Renewable for up to 5 years
Option 2 – Five Year Coordinated
Hertz Period – Two Years
$33,000 / 9 month Personal Stipend
Full Tuition Equivalent
Other Fellowship Period – Up to Three Years
$3,000 / year Supplemental Stipend from Hertz
Requires recipient to accept 3-year Fellowship from another
source.
The fellowship supports academic versus professional graduate
study, e.g., study for the Ph.D. Only those studying the physical sciences
whose work will have real world applications versus the theoretical are
eligible. This focus, however, may be broadly construed. The official
description of the fellowship stresses applicants who are “willing to morally
commit to make their skills available to the United States in time of national
emergency." Again, this should not be taken literally. Students with
excellent academic credentials, who plan to study in some area of the physical
sciences, should definitely consider applying for the Hertz, which offers very
generous support. Fellows must attend one of the Foundation’s tenable schools.
Check their web site for a list at <www.hertzfndn.org>.
Requirements
Applicants must be students of the applied physical sciences
(biologists, check to see if your particular field applies on their web site),
a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Applications are accepted from seniors
and from current graduate students at any stage of their graduate study. Those
with exceptional creativity, broad understanding of the physical sciences, and
outstanding potential for innovative research is expected. Applicants will also
be screened for specific qualities listed on their web site.
Each applicant needs to answer four questions in an essay
format. The topics are:
Choice of Field and Future Expectations
Proposed Field of Study
Choice of Graduate School
Chronological Resume
Application Procedures/Deadlines
The application period begins in August. Only those with
completed applications returned by the posted deadline will be taken into full
consideration. Belated or incomplete applications will be viewed at the
Foundation’s discretion. Applications are submitted through the Internet
process (see above for web site), but paper applications can be acquired by
telephone at (925) 373-1642. Application and support materials have separate
deadline dates that usually fall in the last week of October. Note that this deadline is a receipt deadline, not a postmark deadline.
To ensure that this deadline can be met, applicants should be certain to
collect their references, transcripts, etc. at least five days before this
deadline.
Overview
Since 1990, the Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) foundation has
awarded 10 German Chancellor Scholarships annually to prospective leaders from
the U.S.A. (under 35 years of age) in the academic, economic and political
fields, enabling them to carry out research projects of their own choice in
Germany. During one-year research stays, scholars are also given an opportunity
to gain an insight into the social, cultural, economic and political situation
in Germany. German Chancellor Scholars also take part in a four-week
introductory seminar in Bonn and Berlin in September, a fact- finding tour of
Germany and a final meeting in Bonn.
In addition to the scholarship, the Foundation bears the costs
for preparatory German language tuition and an intensive course of several
weeks in Bonn.
Requirements
U.S. citizens who have completed at least a bachelor‘s degree
by the time the program begins are eligible to apply. Applications may come
from prospective leaders in professions spanning all sectors of American
society - public, private, not-for-profit, cultural, and academic. Successful
applicants have come from a wide range of specializations, such as the graphic
and performing arts, social and political studies, law, business, architecture,
journalism and economics. Applicants from life sciences and engineering may be
considered if the topic has a compelling social or humanistic dimension.
Candidates may be no more than 34 years old at the time they enter the program.
Command of German is not a prerequisite.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
In addition to the application, candidates must submit
required transcripts, at least three (but no more than five) references and
obtain an endorsement from Caltech. The nomination process is coordinated
through our office. All application materials must be postmarked by October
31. Results are announced in February. Information and applications can be
downloaded at:
<www.humboldt-foundation.de/EN/programme/stip_aus/bukarus.htm>
Overview
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate
Scholarship Program will award approximately 30 scholarships to seniors
and recent graduates planning to attend graduate school for the first time
starting this fall.
The maximum award available per student is $50,000 per year.
Scholars may use the award to attend any accredited graduate school in the U.S.
or abroad. Awards are ordinarily for the first graduate or professional degree.
The Foundation renews awards annually, provided the Jack Kent Cooke Scholar has
maintained high academic performance, exhibited good conduct, made significant
progress toward a degree, and complied with the Foundation’s administrative
requirements and requests.
Requirements
Be a senior or a recent graduate (since May 2002) of an
accredited US college or university.
Have a bachelor's degree by the start of the fall 2007
semester.
Have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.50 or
better on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent).
Be nominated by his or her undergraduate institution.
Have unmet financial need.
Not previously have been nominated for the Jack Kent Cooke
Foundation graduate scholarship.
Plan to attend a full-time graduate or professional degree
program at an accredited university in fall 2007. This must be the first
graduate degree the candidate has ever pursued.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
To be eligible, nominated applications must be received on or before
the deadline of March 14, 2008, along with all required supporting documents.
Caltech deadline for the application is around February 20.
Please make sure to turn in the application by this deadline in order to make
the national deadline of March 14, 2008.
For more information, go to
<www.jackkentcookefoundation.org>.
Overview
A minimum of ten fellowships, $16,000 for graduate students or
$8,000 for undergraduate students, will be awarded for the regular academic
year (fall and spring semesters or the equivalent where the quarterly system
prevails) paid through the office of the university in which the candidate will
be enrolled for study in the United States. Study must be carried out only in
the United States and all funds must be expended only within this country.
Fellowship is for one academic year and may not be renewed or postponed.
Eligibility
Students in any discipline entering senior undergraduate year
or a candidate for a PhD who will defend his/her dissertation by June 2008.
Post-doctoral students are not eligible for consideration.
Applicants should have manifested exceptional ability and
serious purpose. Special consideration will be given to applicants in the
Humanities.
Open to U.S. or foreign students already enrolled in a
university located in the United States.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
To be considered, the completed application form, including
all official transcripts of the student’s graduate and undergraduate studies at
institutions in the United States and Canada and two letters of recommendation,
must be received by the Fellowship Committee of the Josephine De Karman Trust
postmarked no later than midnight, January 31. The Fellowship Committee will
complete its selection of recipients of Josephine de Karman Fellowship
approximately April 15.
For more information, go to <www.dekarman.org>.
Overview
The Janet H. and C. Harry Knowles Foundation was established
in 1999 to strengthen the quality of science and mathematics teachers teaching
in grades 9-12 in United States schools. The Knowles Science Teaching
Foundation supports individuals and programs designed to encourage and sustain
young scientists and mathematicians as they dedicate their lives to teaching
other young people and to becoming leaders in the field of education. The
Foundation also supports efforts that provide insight into how to best prepare
high school science and mathematics teachers.
The Knowles established the foundation in recognition of the
importance of quality science and mathematics instruction to the well-being and
future of our country as well as in appreciation of the many dedicated science
and mathematics teachers that helped form their lives.
The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation is a Section 501 (c) 3
charitable organization classified as a Private Operating Foundation for
Federal Income Tax Purposes. Foundation funding is derived from the Knowles'
personal assets, and the Foundation's ownership of stock in Metrologic Instruments, Inc. (Nasdaq: MTLG)
Requirements
Those Knowles Science Teaching Fellows who are applying to
become members of 2007 cohort will be selected from among young men and women
who have earned or are in the process of earning a degree in one of the
physical sciences such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, engineering
and/or mathematics from a recognized institution of higher education. KSTF does
not currently provide Teaching Fellowships for the biological sciences.
Fellows should have received their most recent degree within
the past five years (between Spring 2001 and Summer 2007). Also an applicant
might be in the final year of an undergraduate, master's, combined B.S. with M.A.T
or M.Ed. program or near the completion of their doctoral program. Applicants
who will be in their first year of teaching in academic year 2007-2008 are also
eligible. If you are not sure if you are eligible, please read the selection
criteria and then contact us at info@kstf.org with any additional questions.
The application for a Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship does
not depend on having been admitted to an education program that leads to a
science or mathematics teaching license. However, the award of the Fellowship
does require the Fellow to have been admitted to such a program.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
The timeline for selection of the 2007 Cohorts of Knowles
Science and Mathematics Teaching Fellows is as follows:
Applications are due January 16, 2007.
Semi-finalists will be contacted and invited to participate in
preliminary telephone interviews in mid-February.
Finalists will be notified and invited for an interview in
Philadelphia, PA, in March 2007.
Fellowship awards will be announced in April.
The 2007 cohorts of Knowles Science and Mathematics Teaching
Fellows will meet for orientation in Philadelphia, PA, the first weekend in
June 2007.
For more information, go to <www.kstf.org>.
Overview
The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to increase understanding
between Asia and the United States. The late Henry R. Luce the co-founder and
editor-in-chief of Time Inc., who was born in China, established this
foundation. The Luce Scholars Program provides stipends and internships for
fifteen young Americans to live and work in Asia each year. Dating from 1974,
the program's purpose is to increase awareness of Asia among future leaders in
American society. Luce Scholars spend a year in an Asian country of their own
choice involved in a specially designed internship based on their career goals
and interests. Applicants should be Caltech graduating seniors, graduate
students, or alumni.
Requirements
Those who already have significant experience in Asia or Asian
studies are not
eligible for the Luce Scholars Program. Candidates must be American citizens
who have received at least a bachelors degree and are no more than 29 years old
on September 1 of the year they enter the program. Nominees should have a
record of high achievement, outstanding leadership ability, and a clearly
defined career interest with evidence of potential for professional
accomplishment. Leadership ability does not have to
have been demonstrated through election to student or public office. Rather,
leadership should be broadly construed.
Applicants are ineligible if they have a career interest in
Asian Affairs, if they have majored in some area of Asian language, literature
or history, or have several months of living or travel experience in Asia. One
or two courses in these areas are not sufficient basis for disqualification nor
is a short trip to Asia. The Foundation is looking for applicants for whom the
exposure to Asia and Asian culture will be a new experience.
Application Procedures/Requirements
Caltech will be able to submit the names of two to three
nominees to the Luce Scholars Selection Committee. The deadline for
application to the Caltech Luce Committee will fall in late October with campus
interviews taking place in mid November. Exact campus deadlines are announced
each fall.
Applicants will be required to complete a bibliographic
information form and submit a personal statement detailing their long-range
career plans and how those plans developed along with their reasons for
applying for the Luce. Transcripts, two recent passport-sized photos, and four
letters of recommendation must also be submitted to the Luce Program Liaison,
Lauren Stolper. The Luce Foundation cannot accept
applications submitted directly to the foundation. A representative of the Luce
Foundation will interview the nominees selected by the Caltech Luce Committee
during December or January. After interviews with the foundation’s staff,
finalists meet with one of three selection panels who choose the fifteen Luce
Scholars. For more information, visit their website <www.hluce.org>.
Overview
The Marshall Scholarship provides two or three years of study
at any university in Great Britain. Students must earn a degree, but study can
be at the graduate or undergraduate level. For example, a small number of
Marshall Scholars will read (British for study) the last two years of an
undergraduate degree program. Most study for a research Master's, typically a
M.Phil. or M.Sc. The Marshall Scholarships were created by Parliament to
commemorate the ideals behind the Marshall Plan that provided much needed aid
to Britain after World War II. The British Government funds the scholarships.
Approximately 40 scholarships are given yearly. About 1,000
applicants compete yearly for these awards. Recipients have high academic
capability and distinction of intellect. The amount of the scholarship varies
a bit depending on the fees of the institution at which the scholar is
studying. This fellowship covers includes tuition, provides a comfortable
living allowance, a book grant, thesis preparation costs, and provides approved
travel connected to the scholar's study. A spousal allowance is also available
under certain circumstances. Travel to and from Britain from the scholar's
home is also covered.
Requirements
Applicants must have an A-minus grade point average (3.7) not
counting their freshman year. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and not be over
26 years old on October 1 of their first year of study as a Marshall Scholar.
Applicants may be married. Applicants must have a BA or BS degree by the time
they take up their studies.
The regional Marshall Selection Committees are not just
looking for A students who want to be professors or researchers. Successful
Marshall applicants are intellectually original, usually have demonstrated this
ability in independent research, projects, or work, have leadership ability,
(leadership is broadly defined and is not focused on having been an elected
officer of an organization), are enthusiastic, have self-confidence and vision.
Marshall Scholars go into a wide range of career fields, including academia,
medicine, law, and business.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applicants need to complete an application that includes a
statement of their academic interests and pursuits and a proposed plan of
academic study. The plan of study must be well thought out, relate to the
candidate's future goals, and be well researched. While students are not required
to continue study in their undergraduate major, they must be well prepared in
the field in which they would like to study. Students have to possess the
qualifications to gain entrance into a degree program in this field. Second,
they will need to be able to articulate their interest with depth in their
essay and in an interview if they make it to the next stage of the competition.
Students should take the time to thoroughly research the faculty, courses, and
requirements connected with their proposed plan of study. The Marshall
Selection Committees are known to carefully inquire into the plan of study.
Complete applications are due to the
Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad Office during the first week of the fall
term with the exact date to be announced each spring. THEREFORE,
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO WORK ON YOUR PROPOSAL OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS!
Applicants should schedule an endorsement interview with the
Caltech Fellowships Committee when they turn in their application. The
Marshall requires each university to determine if a student will be given a
university endorsement before any materials are submitted to the regional
centers. The deadline for the submission of all endorsed applicants to the
regional centers falls in early October. This creates a very tight schedule
for the Caltech Fellowships Committee and applicants are highly encouraged to
work hard on their essays and researching study options over the summer. It is impossible to produce at the last minute the quality of
application that will earn an interview at a regional center.
Applicants must also be prepared to work hard on reworking their essays in
response to committee suggestions in the week after the endorsement interviews.
Students must apply from one of six regions: Mid-Atlantic,
Mid-Western, Northeastern, Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western. Applicants
may apply from the region of their permanent residence or from the region of
their college. The list of the regions by state can be obtained from our
office. Applicants are screened and selected applicants are called in for an
interview during November. Travel costs to and from the interview are paid and
include airfare and overnight accommodation. U.S. citizens residing abroad
must pay their own travel costs.
Scholarships are awarded for a specific course of study at a
specific university. Applicants will have previously specified their course of
study, a first and second choice of university, and, where applicable, a
specific college within a university, e.g., Oxford or Cambridge. Note that
applicants who wish to study at Oxford, Cambridge or the University of London
may not list either of the remaining two schools as their second choice
schools.
Applications are available in Fellowships Advising and Study
Abroad. You can learn more about the Marshall on the web at
<www.marshallscholarship.org>.
Overview
Named in honor of the former Senator’s pivotal contribution to
the Northern Ireland peace process, these scholarships will allow American
post-graduates to pursue one year of study at institutions of higher learning
in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated
both academic distinction and the potential for leadership. There are no
restrictions as to academic field of study. Twelve awards are normally made
each year and provide tuition, housing, a living expenses stipend, and
international travel.
Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, aged eighteen or over but
not yet thirty on October 1 in the year of application. They must also have
academic standing sufficient to assure completion of a Bachelor’s degree before
they begin study under the Mitchell Scholarship. Those interested in applying are
advised to begin preparing their applications well in advance of the September
15 campus deadline. The Scholarships are awarded to students who have
demonstrated both academic distinction and the potential for leadership. There
are no restrictions as to academic field of study.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applicants are required to secure the formal endorsement of
their university or college representative, Lauren Stolper, Director of
Fellowships and Study Abroad. An academic transcript, a photocopy of the birth
certificate and a thousand-word essay in which applicants set out in their own
words their interest and aspirations, and detailed reasons for wishing to study
the specific areas of proposed academic work is required.
In addition, applicants are asked to supply a brief
description of their activities during their college years. Applicants are
required to provide the names and addresses of no less than 5, but no more than
8 persons who have agreed to write letters of recommendation. No fewer than
four of these must be persons under whom the applicant has done academic work
at Caltech. Those who provide references are asked to measure the applicant
against the full range of the Mitchell Scholarship criteria and not to speak
solely to those attributes that would, for example, be relevant to the
evaluation of a student’s acceptability to a program of study. The campus
deadline is September 15, but note that all reference letters must be post
marked by October 10. At least 3 letters of reference must be submitted with
your application on September 15 to Lauren Stolper. Finalists will be
interviewed in Washington, D.C. in mid November. Information on the program as
well as the online application can be found at
<www.us-irelandalliance.org/scholarships.html>.
Overview
The Harriett G. Jenkins Pre-doctoral Fellowship Program (JPFP)
employs the best practices for advancing increased numbers of women,
minorities, and persons with disabilities participating in the math, science,
engineering, and technology (MSET) disciplines. Providing 10 to 20 awards
annually in financial support, students will participate in an orientation to
NASA enterprises and researchers, Mentor-Protégé Initiative, Summer Research
Mini-Research Award, and a Technical Exchange Symposium. Annual stipends for
students pursuing master’s degrees start at $16,000. Annual Stipends for
students pursuing doctoral degrees start at $22,000. Regardless of the degree
pursued, annual tuition offset start at $8,500. The average mini research award
tenure is 6 weeks, and awards range from $3,000 to $7,000. The mini research
award support is over and above the stipend and tuition offset that the fellows
regularly receive.
Requirements
Applicants must be from an underrepresented group: minorities,
women and disabled persons; be a citizen of the U.S. including Puerto Rico,
Guam and the Virgin Islands; be predoctoral students enrolled in NASA-related
disciplines at an accredited university; maintain a 3.0 GPA or above; and not
currently receiving federal funding.
Applications Procedures/Deadlines
Mandatory submission of all materials must be received no later than February 1. A complete application packet
consists: an application form, three letters of recommendation, research
proposal (two pages maximum), transcripts from all colleges/universities
attended, and a resume (two pages maximum). Fellowship selection will not be
final until certification from graduate school has been received. For questions
and inquiries call (703) 205-7635 or email hgjfellows@uncfsp.org. Their website address is <www.uncfsp.org/NASA/Jenkins>.
Overview
The National Institutes of Health-University of Oxford
Scholars in Biomedical Sciences interdisciplinary program is specially devoted
to the training of outstanding students in various areas of biomedical research
leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree awarded by the University of Oxford in
the United Kingdom. Being a collaborative program between the NIH laboratories
and University of Oxford, students are provided with the opportunity to work at
both institutions. Student research projects will be co-mentored by a research
investigator at NIH and a faculty member at University of Oxford who work
together on a collaborative project in which students carry out research. It is
envisioned that students will spend roughly half of their time at Oxford and
half their time at NIH, though the specific division of time will be dictated
by the nature of the research.
The National Institutes of Health-University of Cambridge
Health Science Scholars Program is a special interdisciplinary program
committed to scholarship in the training of exceptional students in various
areas of basic biomedical research or clinical research leading to a Doctor of
Philosophy degree awarded by the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
Being a collaborative program between the NIH laboratories and University of
Cambridge, students carry out research at both institutions. Students will have
the opportunity to be co-mentored by outstanding research investigators at NIH
and at the University of Cambridge who work together on a collaborative project
that can fall into any area of biomedical research. It is envisioned that
students will spend roughly half of their time at Cambridge and half their time
at NIH, though the specific division of time will be dictated by the research
project.
The NIH will now fully fund students who wish to pursue a
MD/PhD degree as part of the NIH/Oxford/Cambridge Scholars Program. Students
can attend one of the 41 medical schools affiliated with the NIH’s Medical
Scientist Research Training Program.
Requirement
Applicants for admission into the partnerships for prospective
PhD students must be US citizens or U.S. permanent residents. Applicants
must also have an undergraduate degree by the time of admission. Certain
partnerships may have additional degree requirements such as the NCI –
Molecular Pathology and NINR – Nursing & Biobehavioral Research
partnerships; see the partnership descriptions for details at
<http://gpp.nih.gov/Applicants/>.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Application deadline is January 1, 2008. To apply online, go
to
<http://gpp.nih.gov/Applicants/ProspectiveStudents/AppInfoProspective.htm>
Overview
NPSC offers graduate fellowships in the physical sciences and
related engineering fields. The fellowship pays for tuition and fees, plus a
substantial stipend for each academic year, summer employment and technical
experience from leading national employers. Mentors are provided on campus as
well as at the worksite. Students can expect a long-term commitment for up to
six years.
Requirements
All qualified students may apply with recruitment emphasizing
underrepresented minorities (African-American, Hispanic, Native American
Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, Pacific Islander) and women. Applicants must be an U.S.
citizen, have at least a 3.0 grade point average or above, and be in your first
year of graduate study pursuing a doctoral degree at a participating NPSC
member institution. NPSC requires that you work for an NPSC employer member
for the summers preceding and following the first year of graduate school.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Apply August-November 5. Applications are due no later than
November 5, annually. An Internet application process is required and
available at <http://www.npsc.org/students/>. Award announcements will be
made the following January. Contact NPSC with any questions at (800) 854-6772 or e-mail at npsc@npsc.org.
Overview
The goal of this program is to develop a pool of Americans who
understand less commonly taught languages. It is hoped that this scholarship
will produce a group of leaders who are integrally involved in global issues.
Therefore, scholarships are not granted for study in
Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Any other area of the world,
excluding the U.S. itself, is eligible. NSEP Scholarship funding varies.
Unlike other merit scholarships, this program does have a need component.
Therefore, those without financial need as established by our Financial Aid
Office may only receive partial funding. Round-trip travel and insurance are
always covered.
Freshman through seniors may apply for this program. Students
may study for an academic term or in some cases for a summer. Juniors and
seniors are encouraged to pursue an academic year program. Consult the most
recent brochure (available from Lauren Stolper) for details.
Students may attend an organized study abroad program or make
direct enrollment study arrangements with a university abroad. Note that only
juniors can do direct enrollment programs. Students should note that direct
arrangements require quite a bit of prior planning and organization. However,
in some areas of the world, a direct enrollment program might prove the best
option if sufficient time is allowed to make arrangements. Scientists
and engineers are encouraged to apply. However, these students should note
that their study programs must include a language component. The focus
of this program is language learning. In fact,
students are not required to pursue their major area of academic study and can
do area studies or cultural studies along with the language.
Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and can be freshmen through
non-graduating seniors. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors may go for an
academic term, year, or most popular with Caltech students, a summer. Seniors
can only apply for an academic term or year depending on the date of their
graduation and must go before graduating, not after. Students may have, but do
not need, previous travel or study abroad experience. It is important to
research your options carefully in order to write an effective statement
purpose. Materials on study abroad are available in the Fellowships Advising
and Study Abroad Office. Students do not have to receive credit for their
program from Caltech to qualify, but previous winners have received credit
through independent arrangement with a Caltech faculty member.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
The application campus deadline falls in early to mid January.
The application itself requires a brief interview with the NSEP Campus
Representative, Lauren Stolper; two letters of recommendation; transcripts; and
the signatures of the Registrar, a Financial Aid Officer, and the NSEP
Representative. If your application meets NSEP requirements, it will be sent
on to the national NSEP office. You cannot send in applications directly
yourself. Our office must mail them in after your interview. Applicants
should allow ample time to gather the signatures, schedule an interview, obtain
transcripts and references, write a statement of purpose, and complete the
application's paperwork.
Applications are available from our office. You can learn
more about the NSEP at their web site: <www.iie.org/nsep>.
Overview
NSF Graduate Research Fellowships provide support for research
based graduate study leading to doctoral degrees in the natural sciences,
mathematics, computer sciences, engineering, behavioral and social sciences,
and in the history or philosophy of science. Applicants may be graduating
seniors or graduate students who have completed no more than 20 semester or 30
quarter hours of graduate study in fields supported by these grants. Graduate study may be pursued in the U.S. or abroad. The NSF
is highly competitive. Approximately 5,000 applications are reviewed each year
with about 900 awards made. Approximately 90 awards will be in the Women in
Engineering (WENG) and Women in Computer and Information Science (WICS)
components.
Awards made in March 2006 carry a stipend for each fellow of
$30,000 for a 12-month tenure (prorated monthly at $2,500 for lesser periods)
and an annual cost-of-education allowance of $10,500, paid to the Fellow's
institution in lieu of tuition and fees.
Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals or those who are
permanent resident of the United States at the time of application. Applicants
should have an excellent academic record and have
demonstrated their ability to do original research or other creative work
related to their field of study. Generally, more awards are given in the
physical sciences than the social sciences and the philosophy or history of
science.
Note that applicants find the essays to be quite difficult and
require a great deal of thought and rewriting to produce high quality essays.
Applicants must articulate clear and definite plans for their Ph.D. research
and graduate study. Although there are no GPA requirements, Caltech seniors
and first year grad students receiving the NSF have had a 3.6 or better GPA.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
The NSF application electronic transmission deadlines fall
during the first week of November. Check with our office or their website for
the exact dates each fall. Last year’s dates are as follows:
November 02: Mathematic Sciences,
Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)
November 06: Psychology, Social
Sciences, Geosciences
November 07: Life Sciences
November 08: Engineering
November 09: Chemistry, Physics and
Astronomy
The NSF requires that students use the
electronic submission process. Note that when you submit, you will receive a
return receipt. If you do not receive this message, your submission did not go
through.
Students must submit GRE scores. Note that you must adhere to
the deadline listed in the application (usually around December 20) or your
scores will not be available to the review panel and this will hurt your
chances of receiving an award. All applicants must take the General Test and
applicants should take the Subject Test in science or engineering closest to
their area of study. If there is no test in your subject area, you must send a
letter explaining why you chose not to take a test. This tends to be a problem
for students in some areas of engineering who feel that the Engineering Test is
not relevant to their area of study. The application packet contains
procedures further information for students who will not submit a Subject Test
score. The latest test date acceptable for the NSF is the December date.
Scores may be submitted from earlier test dates within five years of October of
the year in which you are applying for the NSF. If you have taken the GRE
general test or subject test within five years, you may submit these scores.
Consult current NSF materials for specific cutoff dates.
The NSF essays require that students be able
to articulate very specific plans for graduate study. The questions do
not change much from year to year and it is advisable to obtain a copy of last
year's essay questions from the Fellowships Office and begin to draft your
responses over the summer. Applicants must have top notch essays to win. Your
grades and essays along with your reference letters are the most crucial part
of the application process. The essays are the part of the application that is
under your direct control. Students have found it helpful to have their essays
reviewed by Lauren Stolper, Director of Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad
Office. It is also helpful to have faculty read your essays and give you their
comments and suggestions. You can review sample essays in our office.
Panels of faculty members meet in Washington during January to
review applications. Each application is read by at least two faculty members.
Applicants receive a score from 1 to 6 with 1 being high and 6 low. Faculty
look carefully at grades, GRE scores, references, the research statement and
the research plan. The top 10% of applicants automatically receive NSF
fellowships. The next 15% of applicants undergo a statistical analysis that
results in half of this group getting NSF fellowships. The rest of this group
plus the next 15% of students get honorable mention.
Applicants are notified of their status around the end of
March. Usually by mid March a list of winners is available on the web at <www.nsf.gov>.
Applications are online at <www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp>.
Overview
The Rhodes may be the best known of all the fellowships as
many of its scholars have pursued careers in public life. Indeed, the Rhodes
Selection Committee looks for individuals who have leadership ability and will
have a major impact on some area of society.
Rhodes Scholarships are available to American citizens,
Canadian citizens and citizens from other Commonwealth countries. In this
section, the requirements for the American Rhodes will be discussed. Citizens
from Canada or other Commonwealth countries should consult Lauren Stolper,
Director of Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad Office in the spring of their
junior year. Thirty-two American Rhodes Scholarships are awarded annually.
Seventy-one are awarded to Canadians and citizens of other Commonwealth
countries. One thousand plus individuals apply each year for the thirty-two
American Rhodes Scholarships.
Rhodes Scholars study for one or two and, with special
permission, three years at Oxford University in Britain. Most students do one
two-year degree program or two one-year degree programs. Study can be in any
field and must lead to a degree. Study can be at the graduate or undergraduate
level. Some Rhodes Scholars study the last two years of an undergraduate
major. Others do graduate study. The Rhodes pays for tuition, fees, travel to
and from home to Oxford, and an allowance that is sufficient to pay living
costs during the academic year and vacation periods.
Requirements
The Rhodes Selection Committee looks for individuals who have
leadership ability and who will have a major impact on some area of society.
Intellectual ability is required and winners usually have a 3.7 or above G.P.A.
A genuine interest and regular participation in some type of sport or regular
physical activity is required. For example, an applicant might be a squash
player, a cross-country ski enthusiast, or a bicyclist. Rhodes winners are no
longer the perfect all-around leader/scholar/athlete. However, applicants
should have invested themselves in leadership activities, should be physically
active, and should have demonstrated their intellectual ability through coursework
and related academic activities. It is also helpful to be articulate and have
a quick wit.
Note that American Rhodes applicants can now be married or
single. All applicants must hold U.S. citizenship, and be at least 18 and not
over 24 years old by October 1 of the year of application. Scholars must have
received a bachelor's degree by the time they begin their studies at Oxford.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applicants apply for a Rhodes from one of eight regional
districts. Each of these districts is comprised of four to eight states
depending on population. Applicants first apply to the state selection
committee in which they attend school or in which they have their permanent
residence.
There are two levels in the Rhodes application process:
University Level -
Applicants must obtain an endorsement from their college. The Rhodes
has an early fall application deadline and the Caltech Fellowships Committee
holds endorsement interviews usually during the last week of September or first
week of October. Applicants should contact Lauren Stolper prior to leaving
school in the spring before their senior year or during the summer. Applicants
can receive endorsement in the fall of their senior year, but it cannot be
stressed enough that the Rhodes application process is complex. Serious
applicants should work on the Rhodes application over the summer and not wait
until September to begin. In fact it is impossible to produce the quality of
application necessary to obtain a state level interview without a great deal of
hard work.
District Level – Applicants apply from
the state of their residency or the state in which they attend college. There
are 16 districts each have approximately the same number of applicants.
Districts range from a single state (California and New York) to six states.
Most districts will be composed of two of three states. Each Committee selects
four of their applicants as one of the thirty-two Rhodes Scholars-elect.
The Rhodes application requires five to eight letters of
recommendation, a transcript, and a 1,000-word essay. The personal essay is
the key to the Rhodes process. This should be a personal essay, written in a
clear, direct style. The essay should discuss the applicant's major
accomplishments, the applicant's interests, and important influences or turning
points in the applicant's life. The essay should also include a proposed
course of study at Oxford. The course of study must be well researched and can
be at the undergraduate or graduate level and must be related to a student's
undergraduate coursework. The essay should be a compelling essay about the
applicant. Do not make the essay into a list of awards or try to create an
entirely new worldview. A major mistake in the essay is to make statements
that are based on assumption and or hearsay. Be sure to have your essay
reviewed by the fellowships advising director and faculty that have a
background in your field or the field you intend to study at Oxford.
Applications are available in the Fellowships Advising and Resources Office.
The Rhodes web site is located at <www.rhodesscholar.org>.
Overview
The Rotary Foundation states, "The primary purpose of any
Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship is to further international
understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries."
The Rotary Scholarship does indeed have an ambassadorial focus versus an
academic focus. The Rotary seeks students who will be able to interact easily
and productively with individuals and groups in their country of study.
There are several types of Ambassadorial Scholarships: Note
that Rotary districts do not necessarily support all awards. Students can
apply through the Pasadena Club or their hometown club. Currently the Pasadena
Club supports Academic year and the Cultural scholarships. If you plan to
apply through the city or town in which your permanent residence is located,
contact your local club to determine which scholarships are offered.
The Academic-Year
Scholarship allows students to study for one academic year (usually nine
months) in any country in which there is a Rotary Club in almost any field with
the exception of unsupervised research or medical internship/residency. The
scholarships provide a flat grant of US$23,000 or its equivalent for one
academic year of study in another country. This award is intended to help
defray costs associated with round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and
board expenses, and some educational supplies. Academic-Year Scholarships are
the most common type of scholarship offered. Students may study at the
graduate or undergraduate level. They do not need (and usually cannot in nine
months) earn a degree. Students must be able to speak and write the language
of the host country.
The Multi-Year Scholarship allows for
two years of study. Students must be enrolled in a specific degree program.
Students can study at the graduate or undergraduate level in almost any field
in any country that has a Rotary Club. Students must be able to speak and
write the language of the host country. The Multi-Year Scholarship provides a flat
grant of US$11,500 or its equivalent per year to be applied toward the costs of
a degree program.
The Cultural Scholarships allow for three
or six months of language study. Only certain languages may be studied under
this scholarship. The list of languages can change from year to year.
Languages currently eligible are Arabic, English (non- English speakers),
French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Polish,
Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Swedish. Applicants must have at
least one year of university coursework or the equivalent in the language they
wish to study. This scholarship provides a flat grant of US$10,000 or its
equivalent for 3 months and US$15,000 or its equivalent for 6 months.
Funds are intended to defray costs associated with round-trip transportation,
language training expenses, and homestay living arrangements. The Rotary places
scholars in specific language institutes for each country. In other words,
applicants do not choose the site of their study only the country and language
within the limits of the languages being offered that year.
Please note that the availability and type of
scholarships may vary from one Rotary District to another.
Requirements
The Rotary seeks friendly, intelligent applicants who
appreciate other cultures and want to spend time getting to know people in
another culture. Applicants must speak the language of the country in which
they wish to study. There is no required grade point. Applicants should
have at least a solid B average. Applicants must be at least in their junior
year. There is no upper age limit or requirement that applicants currently be
attending college or graduate school. However, note that our
office only advises Caltech students or alumni.
Applicants should keep in mind that the Rotary has an unusual
time schedule. For example, an applicant who applied and won in his or her
senior year would not begin their Rotary Scholarship until the fall (or winter
in the case of Southern Hemisphere countries) following their graduation from
Caltech. Those applying and winning in their senior year would not start their
studies in the fall following graduation, but would begin their scholarship
term the fall after that. This means that senior applicants will have to work
or study elsewhere for one year prior to beginning their scholarship.
Applicants must come from a country in which there is a Rotary
Club. International students may apply through the Pasadena Rotary Club. They
will not be able to use funds to pay for U.S. study or study in the country in
which they hold citizenship. Applicants are ineligible if they are a Rotarian
or Honorary Rotarian, are a Rotary employee, or are a spouse, child, or
grandchild of a Rotarian or Rotary employee.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
It is important to understand that although Rotary
International has final approval of scholars, scholars are actually chosen by
Rotary District. Applicants must contact a Rotary Club in their legal or
permanent residence (of place of full-time study or employment) on scholarship
availability and local deadlines.
Although all districts must send their district-endorsed applications
to the Rotary Foundation by October 1, each club and district set their own
internal deadlines that may be as early as January or as late as July. In
Caltech's Rotary District, 531, the Pasadena Club will hold a meeting on-campus
in November to explain the scholarship and distribute applications.
Applications are usually due by January 31 and should be returned to the
Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad Office. The Pasadena Club holds
interviews during mid-February. One or two applicants then go on to a district
level interview in mid-April. District endorsed applicants' names are sent to
The Rotary Foundation. The Foundation announces finalists in the fall. Unless
there was some aberration in an applicant's application materials, it is very
unlikely that a district-endorsed applicant would not be named as a Rotary
Scholar.
Remember the district in which you have your permanent
residence will have different deadline dates than the Pasadena Club. Check
with our office for contact information on other districts.
It is also important to remember that the number of
scholarships awarded varies from district to district. Each district has at
least one award, but others can have five or six depending on their fundraising
for the scholarship. The Caltech district usually has five or six awards.
Therefore, the odds for winning in your hometown district may be poorer than in
Pasadena, if your hometown district has fewer scholarships to award. The
Rotary web site is at <www.rotary.org>.
Overview
The William E. Simon Fellowship is designed to encourage
students as they complete their undergraduate education to pursue lives that
will benefit themselves and their fellow men and women, in other words to live
lives of noble purpose. The fellowship is an unrestricted cash grant awarded
to graduating seniors who have demonstrated the qualities of passion,
dedication, self-direction and originality in pursuit of a goal that will
strengthen civil society. The award can be used for a number of purposes such
as:
Engaging in the civil life of the community
Helping to create opportunities for others
Developing or enhancing expertise
Funding the ultimate realization of their noble purpose
The fellowship is named in memory of William E. Simon, the 63rd
Secretary of the U.S. Treasury who lived a life dedicated to helping others and
active public service. Each year three fellows are chosen. The first place
winner receives $40,000 and the second and third place winner receive $5,000.
Requirements
Applicants must be graduating seniors who exemplify the
qualities described in the overview.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applicants must complete the Simon Fellowship Application,
submit a transcript of all undergraduate work, submit a letter of
recommendation relevant to the applicant’s noble purpose, and write a 9-12 page
narrative that covers post efforts, future plans, and individual philosophy for
living life as characterized by the idea of noble purpose. Applicants must
provide a clear statement of how they would use the cash award of $40,000.
Applicants must notify the Intercollegiate Studies Institute by December 15 if
they intend to apply for the Simon Fellowship. Applications must be postmarked
by February 15. The ISE email address is simon@isi.org.
More information can be found at
<www.isi.org/programs/fellowships/simon.html>
You can read about the current year’s recipients at this site
Overview
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
supports thirty awards per year for up to three years of graduate study in any
subject anywhere in the United States. The fellowship provides a maintenance
allowance of $20,000 plus half of the tuition of the university the applicant
attends or will attend for graduate study.
Requirements
Graduating seniors or current graduate students may apply.
Applicants must be either holders of Green Cards, naturalized citizens, or
children of two naturalized citizen parents. Applicants must be between 20 and
30 years of age as of the yearly November 1 deadline.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applicants must complete an application and provide references
and transcripts by the November 1 deadline. Recipients are announced in early
March. You can obtain more information at <www.pdsoros.org>.
You can download an application via their website or apply online.
Overview
The Watson Fellowship provides graduating seniors of unusual
promise the opportunity to engage in a year of independent study and travel
abroad after graduation. Candidates must devise their own study program. This
independent study program should provide substantial contact with another
culture or cultures. This year should not involve extended foreign study at a
university. Rather, the applicant's proposal should be one that fosters
independence and be of personal significance. Unmarried fellows receive $25,000
and married fellows receive $35,000 for the year.
Requirements
Applicants may be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or
foreign nationals. Applicants must be graduating seniors attending one of the
approximately fifty colleges whose students may apply for a Watson. (Caltech
is one of these institutions.) Applicants may be single or married. No
specific grade point, language skill, or major is required. However,
applicants must be able to come up with a creative, interesting, and do-able
proposal for a year of independent study and travel. Each year up to 60
students are selected as Watson Fellows. Currently, there are 50 Watson
Fellowships awarded every year.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Applicants are selected primarily on their proposal and
interview. An applicant's academic record is also considered along with
extracurricular activities that demonstrate initiative and commitment to the
applicant's area of interest. Proposals are usually due to Fellowships Advising
by the second week of October. Caltech interviews the most promising
applicants and nominates three individuals to the Watson Foundation. Then a
representative of the Watson Foundation interviews the individuals on campus
between December and February. The Watson Foundation announces the names of
fellows in mid March. Applications are available in Fellowships and Study
Abroad Office. See the web site at <www.watsonfellowship.org>.
Overview
The Zonta International Foundation
established this award to honor famed air pioneer and Zontian, Amelia Earhart.
The award is for women who have completed at least one
year of graduate study in an area of science or engineering that is closely
related to advanced studies in the aerospace-related sciences. While often
thought of as award just for those studying aerospace sciences, awards have
been made for graduate study in such fields as aerospace, engineering,
astronomy, astrophysics, biomedical engineering, computer science, fluid
mechanics, geological oceanography, meteorology, molecular biology and space
medicine. Therefore, this grant supports a wider range of study than commonly
thought. Thirty-three to thirty-five grants of $6000 each are made yearly.
Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in an area of science
or engineering that is closely related to advanced studies in the
aerospace-related sciences. They must be pursuing their studies in a
university that offers accredited courses in aerospace-related studies.
Applicants must have a superior academic record and show evidence of a
well-defined program of graduate study in the aerospace-related sciences or
aerospace-related engineering. Applicants must have completed
one year of graduate school or be a
graduating senior with a track record of well-defined research as demonstrated
by a senior research project or publications. Women of any nationality may apply.
Application Procedures/Deadlines
Candidates must submit a completed application and provide
three recommendations and transcripts. Applications must be postmarked by
November 15. Award recipients are notified in April. Applications are
available in the fall in the Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad Office or at
<www.zonta.org/AEFellowships>.
Applying to Universities: Almost all of the fellowships
described above require that applicants gain admission to universities of
choice or assignment on their own. The Rhodes and Marshall are exceptions.
However, it is essential even with these two awards to have made contact with
your first choice university and the specific department in which you wish to
study. The Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad
Office can advise you on how to contact universities abroad. Note that we have
an extensive collection of foreign university catalogs that we update yearly.
Also, most universities in the U.S. and abroad have a web page.
It is strongly suggested that you make an appointment with the
fellowships advising director to discuss ways to best research your interests.
Start early to investigate your options. Applying to universities abroad is a
complex process. Books overviewing fellowships in general, as well as specific
programs are available in the Fellowships Advising & Study Abroad Library.
In addition, catalogs from foreign universities, as well as books supplying the
names and addresses of foreign universities, are available for review.
International Students:
International Students may apply for the Rotary, Gates, the
Watson, de Karman, and the Rhodes if a Rhodes is available in their country of
citizenship, e.g. Canada and Singapore. For the Fulbright, applicants will
need to contact their own embassy or consulate for procedures. The other
awards described above are open only to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or where
noted permanent residents. For general assistance with funds for graduate
study at Caltech, students should contact the Graduate Office. For study
elsewhere, contact each university's financial aid or admissions office to
inquire about their policy of funding international students. There are
usually special awards available for students from Commonwealth countries who
choose to study in another Commonwealth country.
General Advice on Fellowships and Application Assistance:
Lauren Stolper, Director of Fellowships Advising and Study
Abroad, is available to meet with you to discuss fellowship options and the
application process. She is happy to review essay drafts or offer advice on
interview strategies for those applying to fellowships that require one or more
interviews.
Each spring a general meeting on the Rhodes,
Marshall, Fulbright, and Churchill is held for juniors. A separate meeting is
held to discuss the Watson.
Alternatives:
For those who are interested in some other type of experience
abroad, the director is available to discuss work abroad and study abroad
options.
Obtaining Applications:
Unless noted applications on all awards described in this
booklet can be obtained at the Fellowships and Study Abroad Office.
