Preparing the Next Generation
of Global Leaders

Financing Your Global Program With Fellowships

Posted on May 07, 2019

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Below is a list of well-known fellowships for individuals seeking funding for graduate studies or research opportunities abroad. The list is not exhaustive, so you should explore additional resources to learn about other scholarships that may be applicable to you.

Charles B. Rangel Fellowship

The Rangel Program is also a fellowship awarded to individuals looking to enter the Foreign Service. The program awards up to twenty (20) fellowships of up to $32,500 annually towards tuition, room, board, books and mandatory fees for completion of a two-year master’s degree. After two years of study, the Rangel Fellow is expected to obtain a degree in international affairs or another area of relevance to the work of the Foreign Service

Deadline: Late January

Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowship

The Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships seek to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.

To facilitate this goal the Fellowship grants awards at the Predoctoral, Dissertation and Postdoctoral levels to students who demonstrate excellence, a commitment to diversity and a desire to enter the professoriate.

Deadline: Mid-November

Fulbright Fellowship

The Fulbright fellowships, contrary to popular belief, aren’t just for students looking to do research abroad. They have come to encompass a wider range of opportunities that include teaching abroad, studying abroad, and conducting research abroad. Though the primary focus is still to provide recent graduates the chance to do research outside of the U.S., there are additional opportunities worth exploring.

Applicants have the option to apply with the sponsorship of their alma mater or individually. The primary difference between the two processes is that those with university sponsorship go through an additional vetting stage where a committee of university faculty and staff evaluate the application to help the applicant strengthen his/her proposal. If you plan on applying independently, just keep in mind you should have someone who will be able to help you look over your proposal before you submit it.

Deadline: Mid-October

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

This program offers funding for U.S. citizens planning to pursue graduate study at Cambridge University, England. The program expects applicants to demonstrate high academic achievement and be able to get into the graduate program of their choice at Cambridge. You should be able to demonstrate potential for further academic development and use what you’ve learned in the program to benefit the common good after you complete the program.

You must apply both to the Trust and to Cambridge University. You will need to submit both a CIGAS form A (the Cambridge University application form for graduate study) and a completed Gates Cambridge Scholarship form.

Deadline: Mid-October

George Mitchell Scholarship

The Mitchell Scholarship provides one academic year of study at institutions of higher learning in Ireland, including the seven universities in the Republic of Ireland and the two universities in Northern Ireland. They include: Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, NUI Galway, University College Maynooth, University of Limerick, Dublin City University, Queen’s University Belfast, and The University of Ulster. The scholarship provides full support for tuition and room, a travel stipend, and a stipend of $11,000 to cover other necessary expenses.

Deadline: Early April

Hearst Minority Fellowship

The Aspen Institute Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation (PSI) in Washington, DC offers the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship to one student three times annually. The fellowship, which is based on academic excellence and need, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students of color. The Hearst Fellow serves as an intern with PSI in the Washington, DC office of the Aspen Institute. Through this fellowship, PSI seeks to introduce a diverse group of students to issues and challenges affecting philanthropy, social enterprise, nonprofit organizations, and other actors in the social sector. Recipients may arrange with their colleges or universities to receive academic credit for this experience.

Marshall Scholarship

This award is for U.S. citizens who wish to pursue graduate study in the UK. The fellowship is often awarded to individuals who exhibit strong academic achievement, often with GPAs of 3.7 or higher. The Marshall Scholarship seeks "change agents," not just strong scholars. In addition to academic excellence, you should also have a substantial leadership background and demonstrated civic engagement. Each scholarship is held for two years.

You can apply this scholarship to any institution of higher learning in the UK. Applications are encouraged to study at institutions other than those in London, Cambridge and Oxford.

Deadline: Early October

Rhodes Scholarship

This scholarship is intended for U.S. citizens who wish to study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Successful applicants tend to have at least a 3.8 GPA, although GPA is far from the most important aspect of a candidacy. Candidates are selected according to the criteria that include: academic achievement, significant commitment to service and the welfare of others, and demonstrated leadership skills.

Deadline: Early September

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program is a program funded by the U.S. Department of State that prepares outstanding young people from diverse backgrounds for careers in the Foreign Service.

The Pickering Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to promote positive change in the world.  Upon successful completion of a two-year master’s degree program and fulfillment of Foreign Service entry requirements, fellows have the opportunity to work as Foreign Service Officers in Washington, DC and at a U.S. embassy, consulate, or diplomatic mission around the globe.   

Deadline: September

Continue your search for fellowships by visiting your academic department or career services center.

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