What are National & International Fellowships?

What are National & International Fellowships?
What are National & International Fellowships?

What are National & International Fellowships?

A fellowship is a supportive community of scholar-leaders with similar values and interests, sponsored by a government agency, university, or nonprofit foundation. Fellows receive resources toward educational or professional success in research, public service, or cross-cultural engagement.

Who should apply?
Fellowships reviewers seek candidates with a focused sense of purpose; evidence of original, creative work; research or leadership achievements; and/or fresh perspective and unique experiences which awardees can contribute to the community.

Why apply?
Writing competitive fellowship applications serves a developmental purpose for future agents of positive change in the world. Constructive feedback from advisors and reference writers allows students to present their strengths, values, and potential more clearly and articulate concrete, actionable goals. In short, the journey toward a fellowship is often as important as the destination.

Fellowships Advising Referral
Meet with a fellowships advisor (by Student Success Hub appointment) for personalized guidance. Create a customized plan and feedback on preparing a competitive application!

We advise and nominate students approximately 3 to 6 months prior to external application deadlines. Students planning to apply for Fulbright or graduate fellowships due in September-October should connect with our office in April-May (6 months ahead).

Book your appointment at https://uraf.unl.edu/.



International Fellowships: Building Mutual Understanding

Applicants typically have 1+ years of related experience with language learning, cultural exchange and perspective-sharing, or interpersonal relationship-building (e.g. coaching, tutoring, mentoring).

Design-Your-Own Study Abroad Experience
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship: Pell-eligible U.S. undergraduates can receive up to $5,000 to study or intern abroad.
External deadlines (2): Early March; Early October. URAF Events & Advising: Late January – early March; Mid-August - Early October.

DAAD German Academic Exchange: Offers undergraduate and graduate study scholarships and science internships in Germany.
External deadlines: Varies by program. | URAF Advising (by appointment): 6-12 weeks prior to your program deadline.

Immerse Yourself in Language Learning Abroad
Boren Awards: Supports U.S. students for long-term language study abroad, to advance U.S. national security interests.
External deadline: Late January. | URAF Advising & Campus Nomination (by appointment): Late October – Mid-January.

Critical Language Scholarship: U.S. students can learn 1 of 14 languages in fully-funded summer study abroad or virtual programs.
External deadline: Mid-November. | URAF Events & Advising: Mid-September – Mid-November.

Imagine Life Abroad After Graduation
Fulbright U.S. Student Program: U.S. graduates can teach English, conduct research or arts projects, or earn a graduate degree.
External deadline: Early October. | URAF Events, Advising, & Campus Nomination: Mid-May – Late September.

United Kingdom Graduate Leadership Fellowships: Marshall, Rhodes, Gates Cambridge & Churchill fully fund graduate study.
External Deadlines: Late September – Early October. | URAF Advising & Campus Nomination (by appointment): Early July to Mid-September.


Public Service Fellowships: Commitment to Service

Applicants typically have 1 or more years of high-impact public service projects, internships, or leadership roles. They are using their education and career paths to solve problems facing society.

Truman Scholarship for Public Service: For U.S. junior undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional leadership promise and commitment to public service careers.
External Deadline: Early February. | URAF Events, Advising, & Campus Nomination: Mid-October to Late January.

Udall Undergraduate Scholarship: For U.S. sophomores and juniors who demonstrate leadership and service in environmental conservation, tribal public policy, or Native health care.
External Deadline: Early March. | URAF Advising & Campus Nomination: Early January to Early March.

For Graduating Seniors
Foreign Service Graduate Fellowships: Rangel, Pickering, USAID Payne, Clarke, FAIT, and FAS fellowships support graduate study toward long-term careers in the U.S. Foreign Service.
External Deadlines: Mid-September to Late January. | URAF Advising (by appointment): ~6-12 weeks prior to your fellowship’s external deadline.


Research Fellowships: Deep Engagement in Original Work

Applicants typically have 1+ years of research or creative experience, such as UCARE, thesis, or internship activities. Research should be a core element of the student’s degree plan and career intentions.

Goldwater Scholarship: Supports U.S. sophomores and juniors who will become research leaders in sciences, engineering, or mathematics.
External deadline: Late January. | URAF Events, Advising, & Campus Nomination: Late October – Late January.

Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship: Supports undergraduate or graduate tuition and government employment.
External Deadline: December 1. | URAF Advising (by appointment): Mid-August – Late November.

For Graduating Seniors
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP): Funds research-based (M.S. or Ph.D.) degrees in STEM, STEM education, or social sciences fields.
External Deadline: Late October. | URAF Events & Advising: Early July – Late October.