Fall NCA info session is Sept 11 at 2:45pm in Founders East Gallery
Freshman and Sophomore Awards & Deadlines:
Check carefully! Some are open to freshmen and sophomores, others just to sophomores.
Fulbright US-UK Summer Institutes (summer):
The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers a Summer Institute for US citizens to come study in the UK. This highly-competitive program is open to students with at least 2 full years left of college to complete. 3, 4, 5, and 6week options are available, each focuses on improving presentation and research skills while learning about the history and culture of the UK as a whole and host university in particular. Priority given to students without UK or international experiences.
Summer Institutes cover most participant expenses, including round-trip airfare, accommodations and meals, and tuition/fees at host university.
National Deadline: Early February (internal deadline is January 5)
Harvard Public Policy & Leadership Conference (summer):
The Harvard Public Policy & Leadership Conference helps talented freshmen and sophomores to become future leaders in government, NGOs, nonprofits, international institutions, and social enterprises. In this three day conference in October, students get a chance to study public policy in a grad school environment. HPPLC also offers information about other fellowships and scholarships for graduate study. HPPLC covers all travel costs, accommodations, and meals.
Must have a 3.0 gpa or above and demonstrate commitment to public service through student leadership, activism, community service.
National Deadline: early July (application opens May)
Critical Language Scholarship (summer language study; open to undergrad and grad students):
CLS is an overseas language program that takes place each summer. The US Department of State offers it in support of languages we most need for diplomatic or peacebuilding missions. In the past, the CLS Program has offered intensive overseas study in Arabic, Bangla, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish and Urdu, as well as Azerbaijani, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, and Russian. Program sites, dates, and overseas institutional partners vary from year to year.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and currently enrolled in a U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level. Undergraduate students must have completed at least one year of general college course-work by program start date (one year is defined as two semesters or three quarters). Some programs are for beginning language acquisition.
The program covers all costs, including airfare, tuition, room and board, cultural program expenses, overseas health benefits, and any visa fees. Participants also receive a small stipend to cover incidental expenses and meals not provided by the program. Students earn undergraduate academic credit through Bryn Mawr College. Upon completion of the program, participants also receive a certified American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) score.
National Deadline: Early November (internal deadline is October 1)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Ernest F. Hollings (Hollings) scholarship program is designed to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities. It hopes to increase public understanding and support for stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere and improve environmental literacy. Finally, it is a tool to recruit and prepare students for public service careers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other agencies in government, or to prepare students for careers as educators in oceanic and atmospheric science in the US.
This award is aimed at sophomores studying biological, life, and agricultural sciences; physical sciences; mathematics; engineering; computer and information sciences; social and behavioral science; and science teacher education.
The Hollings Scholarship awards (up to a maximum of $9,500 per year) for full-time study during the 9-month academic year. It also includes a 10-week, full-time internship position during the summer at a NOAA facility. If reappointed, up to a maximum of $8,000 is awarded for full-time study during a second 9-month academic year.
National Deadline: Late January (internal deadline is Dec 15)
Boren and Gilman Scholarships & Fellowships:
These are awarded to undergrad and grad students for international travel and study abroad by US citizens. Check with GOCI for more information!
Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Internship in Ireland (summer; open to freshmen-juniors):
This summer internship will provide 12 exceptional American college students from diverse backgrounds an eight-week culturally immersive program to hone career-ready skills, nurture global contacts for future career development, and develop a deep understanding of Ireland’s rich history and contemporary culture. It celebrates Frederick Douglas's visit to Ireland and cross-cultural influence.
Applicants must be pell-eligible and have excellent grades.
National Deadline: Nov. 29th (earlier applications given priority)
Junior Awards & Deadlines:
Check carefully! Some are open to juniors and seniors, others just to juniors.
The Goldwater is dedicated to undergrads preparing for careers in engineering, math, and the natural sciences. Outstanding academic performance and potential for careers in those disciplines are the primary criteria for this highly competitive award. Pre-med students may apply if their career interest is research rather than clinical. Institutional nomination required. Around 300 awards are given each year. We can only nominate 1 student from Guilford.
This award is open to advanced sophomores or juniors with demonstrable research experience, excellent GPA (over 3.5), and strong mentor support. Applicants must work through NCA and the Provost's office to receive our nomination.
The award is for $7,500 annually and covers undergrad tuition, fees, books, and room & board (for one or two years, depending on whether student wins as a junior or as a sophomore).
National Deadline: late January (internal deadline is Nov 3)
This very prestigious award pays toward graduate school (of any type, in the US or abroad) in preparation for a career in public service. Only 75 awards are given each year. Guilford can nominate 1-2 students.
Truman Scholars are chosen from college juniors who are U.S. citizens, planning to attend graduate school. They must be committed to a career in public service (broadly conceived), and have high academic standing.
The award is for $30,000. Scholars are eligible to receive $3,000 for the senior year of undergraduate education and $27,000 for graduate studies. The Truman Award also includes leadership programs and networking opportunities.
Applicants must be “change agents” and leaders with sustained records of both public service and academic achievement.
National Deadline: Feb 4, 2025 (internal deadline Dec. 1)
The Udall Scholarship is for students who intend to pursue careers related to the environment–including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, economics, and other related fields. It can also be awarded to Native American and Alaskan Native students to pursue careers in health care and tribal public policy. About 80 awards are given each year. Guilford has a very limited number of students we can nominate.
Advanced sophomores or juniors are eligible to be nominated and apply. There is a minimum of 3.0 GPA (though most winners have a significantly higher GPA).
The award is for $5,000 (for one academic year) and includes a formal scholar orientation in Tucson, AZ.
National Deadline: Early March (internal deadline Jan 10)
Senior and Graduate Awards & Deadlines:
Check carefully! Some awards are open to recent grads or graduate students while others are reserved solely for graduating seniors.
Fulbright Awards (postgrad overseas teaching):
These US government premier scholarships are for one year of study, research, or English teaching assistantships in almost any country in the world. About 1,000 awards are given each year, and opportunities vary by number and requirement for each country, so researching the many opportunities available is essential for successful applications.
You must be a U.S. citizen, holding a bachelor’s degree by the time your overseas project would commence. This is a 1yr award (though some are longer), which typically covers round-trip transportation, a language or orientation courses, tuition where necessary, some book and research allowances, and modest living expenses.
National Deadline: late September (interviews and vetting required, so plan on starting this the Spring before senior year)
Gates Cambridge Scholarship (postgrad study at Cambridge):
This prestigious award is for postgrad study at Cambridge (Britain) and each year offers 25 awards for US candidates and 55 awards for international candidates. The competition is for highly qualified students applying for the MPhil or PhD track (with strong preference for PhD) in any field that has potential to "give back" to the world (no MBA or finance). This is a very generous award that includes a stipend that covers dependents/family expenses as well as travel, research, health care, in addition to full tuition & housing for up to 4 years.
National Deadline: Oct 11 (US applicants)
Marshall Scholarship (postgrad study in Britain):
This highly competitive award provides full financial support to US students of high ability for 2-3yrs of study at any British university leading towards a second bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree (taught and/or by research). Only 40 awards are given each year. Award is meant to strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions. Marshall Scholars are talented, independent-thinking and wide-ranging, and their academic record is impeccable.
US citizens expecting their first degree within the current academic year, or received first degree within the 28 months prior to application are eligible to apply. A 3.7 GPA (minimum) is expected; academic discipline to study is open.
The Marshall Award pays full tuition, fees, living allowance, and various expenses for two years (with some possibility of an extension for a third year).
National Deadline: late September (*internal deadline 6 months earlier)
Mitchell Scholarship (to Ireland): On temporary hiatus (2026 cohort and beyond).
James Gaither / Carnegie Junior Fellows (graduate study in US):
The Carnegie endowment offers 10 one-year fellowships to outstanding graduating seniors (and those who graduated during the past academic year). Fellowship includes a year’s paid work as a foreign policy research assistant to a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC. Those who have already begun graduate studies are not eligible for consideration.
The Award includes salary plus benefits for the year of research work.
National Deadline: Jan 15 (internal deadline is Oct 1--Guilford can only nominate 1 person)
National Science Foundation Grad Fellowships (grad school in STEM):
This fellowship supports outstanding seniors applying to graduate school in NSF-supported fields of science, technology, engineering, STEM education, and mathematics. Must pursue a research-based master’s or doctoral degree in the US. Significant research experience is expected for successful applicants. The award is for up to $44,000 per year.
National Deadline: Early October
Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford grad school):
The most prestigious of international awards, the Rhodes Scholarship offers 2-3yrs study at Oxford University leading to either a second bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree. Only 32 awards are given each year and requires institutional nomination.
The competition is open to graduating seniors or recent graduates who are U.S. citizens and between18-23 years old on October 1 in the year of application. Most winners have a 3.75 GPA or higher.
The award covers 2yrs of full tuition, fees, living allowances, and travel expenses (with some possibility of an extension for a third year); it comes with a guaranteed admission to Oxford University.
National Deadline: early October (internal deadline is July 1)
Note: Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership. The foundation has also had an interest, historically, in stellar student athletes.
Pickering Foreign Service Award (grad school):
This award is funded by the Department of State and administered by Howard University. The Department of State seeks a Foreign Service that reflects the diversity and excellence of our society. Thus, the fellowship is designed to attract outstanding individuals from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a foreign service career with the US Department of State.
Applicants must be US Citizens and seniors applying to a 2yr Masters in a field that will lead to a foreign service career (many options, but law degrees are not eligible). If chosen for one of these 45 awards, you will receive $48,000 per year, plus annual workshops at Howard University. In exchange, you must commit to 5 years work with the US Foreign Service (you will be given an appointment within the agency upon graduation).
National Deadline: late September
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships (grad school; current grad students may apply):
The Fellowship is for new citizens or children of naturalized citizens in the US. It supports one to two years of graduate study in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program in the United States. The Fellowship involves taking part in two Fall Conferences in New York City (all expenses paid) and meeting with the Fellowship director on your campus. Soros Fellows receive $45,000 per year; current graduate students can apply. This highly competitive award has an excellent website with plenty of helpful advice for the application process.
National Deadline: October 31, 2024 at 2pm
Humanities in Action Summer Fellowships (undergrad, grad students, and recent grads may apply ):
Fellowships are available for intensive summer work in a cohort, then to support a year-long social justice project. International in scope, and grad students / recent graduates are eligible to apply. Each program is demanding, interdisciplinary, and features daily lectures and discussions with renowned academics, journalists, politicians and activists, as well as site visits to government agencies, non-profit and community organizations, museums and memorials.
National Deadline: TBA for 2025
District 7690 Rotary Global Grant Scholarship (grad study outside of US or the candidate’s home country):
Rotary Global Grant Scholarships fund graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years. The scholarship award is for a total of $30,000. Global grant scholarships are awarded to candidates who will be studying or doing research in fields related to Rotary’s seven areas of focus: Peacebuilding and conflict prevention, Disease prevention and treatment, Water, sanitation, and hygiene, Maternal and child health, Basic education and literacy, Community economic development, Environment. These scholarships are very competitive.
Deadline: February 15, 2025
Remember: complete our interest form to get more information about any of these awards