Nationally Competitive Fellowships & Scholarships

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation provides undergraduate scholarships and graduate awards annually to undergraduate and graduate students in science or engineering programs to help support future aerospace professionals. Applicants must be AIAA Student Members. 

The Boren Awards are sponsored by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), an initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO).The Boren Awards provide funding for U.S. undergraduate (Boren Scholars) and graduate (Boren Fellows) students to acquire language skills and experiences through studying less commonly taught languages in world regions underrepresented in study abroad that are critical to the future security and stability of the United States. Boren Awards require rigorous language study and most recipients study overseas for 6 months or longer, though some go for a semester. A limited number of undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields may be funded for summer programs of at least 8 weeks.

CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) is funded by the National Science Foundation. Rising juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens, studying cybersecurity within their major, are eligible to apply. The scholarship pays the full cost of your education (all tuition and fees) plus a $27,000 stipend per year for undergraduates ($37,000 per year for graduate students). In return, recipients work for the government after graduation in a paid cybersecurity position for the same number of years for which their education was funded. Following that period of service, recipients are free to leave or remain in the public sector. Recipients also serve the government in a paid summer internship between academic years.

The Cyber Service Academy (CSA) scholarship is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Rising juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens, studying cybersecurity within their major, are eligible to apply. The scholarship pays the full cost of your education (all tuition and fees) plus a $29,000 stipend per year for undergraduates ($34,000 per year for graduate students). In return, recipients work as a civilian for the DoD, in a paid cybersecurity position, for the same number of years for which their education was funded. Following that period of service, recipients are free to leave or remain in the DoD. Recipients also serve the DoD in a paid summer internship between academic years. More information is at https://wp.wpi.edu/cybersecurity/scholarships/.

ExxonMobil and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) have created the ExxonMobil LOFT Fellowship. This nationally competitive fellowship is looking for Hispanic/Latino/a/x students who are interested in pursuing a career in the STEM field. If awarded, students could receive the opportunity to interview for ExxonMobil positions (internships/full-time) upon completing the fellowship. 

The dissertation fellowships provide one year of support for individuals working to complete a dissertation leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree. The Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship is intended to support the final year of writing and defense of the dissertation. Dissertation fellowships will be awarded in a national competition administered by the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies on behalf of the Ford Foundation. The awards will be made to individuals who, in the judgment of the review panels, have demonstrated superior academic achievement, are committed to a career in teaching and research at the college or university level, show promise of future achievement as scholars and teachers, and are well prepared to use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students. The program will award approximately 36 dissertation fellowships. 

This competition year the program will award approximately 24 postdoctoral fellowships. The postdoctoral fellowships provide one year of support for individuals engaged in postdoctoral study after the attainment of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree. Postdoctoral fellowships will be awarded in a national competition administered by the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies on behalf of the Ford Foundation. 

The predoctoral fellowships provide three years of support for individuals engaged in graduate study leading to a Ph.D. The Ford Foundation offers predoctoral fellowships to members of groups whose underrepresentation in the professoriate has been severe and long-standing.  Awards will be made for study in research-based doctoral programs in selected academic disciplines. A comprehensive list of eligible fields of study is listed on the program website. Individuals enrolled in practice-oriented programs will not be supported. The program will award approximately 75 predoctoral fellowships annually.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides funded grant opportunities for U.S. citizens to design individual study/research projects or to teach English abroad. In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. 

Gates Cambridge Scholarships enable the brightest of the world's young leaders and scholars to undertake graduate study at the University of Cambridge. Gates Cambridge Scholars are expected to have outstanding academic records with leadership potential and a commitment to serve their communities as well as reasons for choice of course. The scholarships support one- to four-years of graduate study, from one-year master's programs to PhD degrees. The Gates Cambridge Trust offers approximately 80 full cost scholarships annually.

The Hertz Fellowship provides financial and lifelong professional support for the nation’s most promising graduate students in science and technology. The fellowship includes up to five years of funding, and the freedom to pursue innovative ideas with real-world impact. Hertz Fellows also participate in ongoing mentoring, symposia, and workshops with the community of more than 1200 fellows, a set of peers who span disciplines, generations, and geography. 

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program (KHS) is a fully endowed graduate fellowship program at Stanford University. Knight Hennessy Scholars brings together a multidisciplinary, multicultural community of Stanford graduate students, provides leadership development that complements their graduate studies, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare graduates to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders who address complex challenges facing the world. KHS brings together scholars from around the world and from many disciplines.

Marshall Scholarships finance up to fifty Scholars each year to study at the graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study. Marshall Scholars strengthen the continuing relationship between the British and American people, their governments, and their institutions. Marshall Scholars are talented, independent and wide-ranging, and their time as Scholars enhances their intellectual and personal growth. Their direct engagement with Britain through its best academic programs contributes to their ultimate personal success. 

The George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program is a nationally competitive, highly prestigious, post-graduate award which allows future American leaders to pursue one year of graduate study in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The program is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, providing them with an understanding about, an interest in, and an affinity for the island of Ireland. Applicants are judged on academic excellence, a record of outstanding leadership, and a sustained commitment to community and public service. The review committee also seek applicants who demonstrate a strong rationale for studying in Ireland and who have an interest in remaining connected to the US-Ireland Alliance (USIA) and the Mitchell alumni network. The USIA expects Mitchell Scholars to become active members of the non-profit organization, alumni scholar community, and to remain connected to the island of Ireland after their Mitchell Scholarship year. 

Please Note: On 3/13/2024, the US-Ireland Alliance announced its decision to pause the selection of future classes of George J. Mitchell Scholars.

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Program seeks to increase the number of United States citizens receiving doctoral degrees in science and engineering (S&E) disciplines of military importance. The goal of the program is to propel talented individuals to the forefront of discoveries and innovations relevant to the Department of Defense (DoD); promote the growth of scientists/engineers within relevant DoD research disciplines; and support DoD science, engineering, and technology Innovations. This program is designed to encourage Baccalaureate recipients to enter Graduate school and ultimately gain Doctorates which align to the DoD services Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) in research and development.

Note:  NDSEG Fellows do not incur any military or other service obligation. 

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) administers a variety of STEM internship and fellowship programs for undergraduate students at national laboratories and federal research facilities across the United States. ORISE provides opportunities for a summer, fall, or spring STEM internship, or a longer-term research opportunity to provide hands-on laboratory experience. ORISE also provides graduate-level STEM internships and fellowships for graduate students who may be interested in exploring options for thesis research, preparing to pursue a doctorate degree, or looking to participate in laboratory experiences to expand their expertise beyond the traditional university setting. These STEM internship and fellowship programs are key to the recruitment and preparation of the next generation of our nation’s scientific workforce.

Every year, The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans (PD Soros) supports thirty New Americans— immigrants or the children of immigrants—who are pursuing graduate or professional school in the United States. Each Fellowship supports one to two years of graduate study in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program in the United States and each award is for up to a total of $90,000. New Fellows join a strong community of current and past Fellows who all share the New American experience. The competition is merit-based and the selection criteria emphasizes creativity, originality, initiative, and sustained accomplishment.

Rhodes Scholarships are awarded for two years of postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom with the option of third year funding dependent on degree program. The selection committee seeks candidates that exhibit outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service. Rhodes Scholars are people who have a vision of how the world could be better and the energy to make a difference and who are motivated to engage with global challenges. The guiding criteria for the selection of Rhodes Scholars include: academic excellence, energy to use one's talents to the fullest, devotion to duty, and instincts to lead and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.

Schwarzman Scholars is a scholarship that was created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century. Schwarzman Scholars supports up to 200 Scholars annually from the U.S., China, and around the world for a one-year master’s degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Scholars chosen for this highly selective program will live in Beijing for a year of study and cultural immersion — attending lectures, traveling around the region, and developing a better understanding of China. Scholars learn from world-class faculty and guest speakers about China’s importance on the global stage through a rigorous and dynamic core curriculum. Schwarzman Scholars prepares young leaders for a globally interconnected future and careers in which they will join a growing alumni network of leaders who are working to build mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world.

The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) and is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for bachelors, masters, and PhD students to gain technical skills in critical STEM fields and support the national security mission of the DoD. The SMART scholarship provides funding for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive full tuition for up to five years, summer internships, annual stipends, an experienced DoD mentor at one of the Sponsoring Facilities, and full time employment with the Department of Defense upon degree completion.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to those who identify as a woman and are studying community college, baccalaureate, or graduate programs in preparation for careers in engineering, engineering technology, and computer science. All SWE Scholarship applicants must be planning to attend a school with ABET-accredited programs. Undergraduate and community college applicants must be planning to study an ABET-accredited program in engineering, technology, or computing in the upcoming academic year. Masters and PhD candidates must be enrolled or accepted at a school with ABET-accredited programs in engineering, computing, or technology. SWE evaluate applications based on four main criteria - academic preparation, leadership and activities, work experience, and interest in engineering.

The Rotary Foundation awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships to peace and development leaders from around the world to earn either a master’s degree or a professional development certificate in peace and development studies at one of the Rotary Peace Centers at leading universities around the world. Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals or practitioners to become experienced and effective catalysts for peace.

Each year, the makers of TYLENOL® award annual scholarships to students pursuing careers in healthcare for the purpose of supporting those dedicated to a lifetime of caring for others. Applicant must be a graduate student or a college senior who will be enrolling in graduate school as a full-time graduate student in the fall of the year in which the scholarships are awarded, and have one or more years of school remaining. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of enrollment to a graduate program in medical school, nursing, and/or pharmacy. The selection committee evaluates an applicant's college GPA, academic records in medical school, nursing and/or pharmacy, community involvement/volunteer service and essay content.