Senior Year and Beyond...
Seniors should note that planning ahead is the best way to prepare for a strong fellowship application. For many fellowships that require campus endorsement or faculty committee review, students must declare their intent to apply no later than April prior to the application deadline. For example, a rising senior who wishes to apply for a post-graduate fellowship must meet with staff in the Walter Commons and declare their intent to apply by April of their Junior year. For students studying away this meeting can take place virtually through google hangouts, zoom or Skype.
It takes patience and perseverance to complete a competitive fellowship application. Many applications require carefully crafted personal statements and statements of grant purpose that will take considerable time to develop. If you are successful, you gain an invaluable credential that will follow you for the rest of your career while having the rare opportunity to pursue your interests financially supported by the award-granting agency. You will also develop professional networking connections with others in your field that will last a lifetime. While there is no guarantee that you will be selected, the process itself is of great value as it forces the careful assessment and articulation of your skills and goals. This alone will help make you a stronger applicant for other opportunities.
The best advice is to start early, work with advisors and faculty and look at each application as a chance to expand your interests and knowledge. Cast a wide net and apply for multiple opportunities and jobs. Finally, remember that even if you are not successful in an application now, your Connecticut College network will be here to support should you choose to re-apply in the future!
Contact fellowships@conncoll.edu to learn more about these and other opportunities and visit the Internal Funding Opportunities page to learn about Connecticut College funding resources for off-campus study and research.
Opportunities Open to Seniors
Area of Focus: Research, democracy, conflict, governance, U.S. Foreign Policy and diplomacy
Description: Junior Fellows Program is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious interest in the area of international affairs.
JAMES C. GAITHER JUNIOR FELLOWS PROGRAM (CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE
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Fellows work as employees at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC full time for one year providing research assistance to scholars for projects focused on Democracy, Conflict and Governance, U.S. Foreign Policy and Diplomacy, Geoeconomics and Strategy and regional programs.
Candidate Profile: Superior research and writing abilities, academic rigor and relevant coursework, strong work, internship and research experience (can be on-campus) and strong letters of recommendation.
Eligibility: Seniors or alums first year out, all citizenships with visa. GPA: no minimum (average 3.8)
Campus Deadline: Intent to apply required by September, campus application deadline December
Area of Focus: Graduate study at Cambridge, all fields
Description: Graduate Study at Cambridge University. Awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside of the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject.
GATES CAMBRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP
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Candidates must have an outstanding academic record, demonstrated leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Additional funding may be available.
Candidate Profile: Academic excellence, good academic fit with Cambridge, leadership potential and commitment to improving the lives of others.
Eligibility: Seniors or alums, all citizenships but UK. GPA: no minimum (average 3.9)
Campus Deadline: Intent to apply required by April of Junior year, review committee deadline Mid-september
Area of Focus: Graduate study at Stanford, all fields
Description: Graduate level scholarship aimed at preparing the next generation of global leaders to address the increasingly complex challenges facing our world.
KNIGHT HENNESSY SCHOLARSHIP
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Each year up to 90 scholars receive full funding to pursue a graduate degree at one of Stanford Universities 125 graduate programs. Multidisciplinary in focus, recipients receive leadership training, mentorship and cohort-based experiential learning. Goal is to empower scholars to navigate across business, government, academia and nonprofit sectors. Students must apply to Knight-Hennessy and to the graduate degree program they wish to pursue.
Candidate Profile: Independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and civic commitment.
Eligibility: Graduating seniors and alums within five years of graduating from college. All citizenships and DACA students who are eligible for graduate study.
Campus Deadline: Intent to apply required by April of Junior year, review committee deadline end of August *students will also need to apply to graduate program at Stanford
Area of Focus: Graduate study in the UK, all fields.
Description: Up to forty Scholars are selected each year to study at the graduate level at a UK institution.
MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP
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As future leaders, with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars strengthen the enduring relationship between British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions.
Candidate Profile: Candidates must have potential to excel as scholars, leaders, and contributors to improved UK-US understanding. Academic merit, leadership and ambassadorial potential.
Eligibility: Graduating seniors and recent alums, U.S Citizens
Campus Deadline: Intent to apply required by April of Junior year, campus application deadline early August
Area of Focus: Graduate study in Ireland, all disciplines
Description: Sponsored by the US-Ireland Alliance for future American leaders to pursue one year of graduate study on the island of Ireland.
GEORGE J. MITCHELL SCHOLARSHIP
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Candidate Profile: Service, Leadership, Academic Excellence. Average GPA: 3.75
Eligibility: Graduating seniors and recent alums, U.S. Citizens
Campus Deadline: Intent to apply required by April of Junior year, campus application deadline early August
Area of Focus: Arts, art history, conservation, photography
Description: Support to students in the visual and fine arts—including history, conservation, studio art, and photography—for travel and living expenses outside the U.S.
MORTIMER HAYS-BRANDEIS TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP
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in pursuit of a program of study or other activities approved by the selection committee.
Candidate Profile: Merit of the proposed project and outcomes, clarity of goals and methods, academic preparation and language proficiency, relevance of travel abroad to goals and objectives, relationship of proposed project to prior work and professional/creative goals, awareness of project resources in proposed locations, feasibility of project within the year-long project term.
Eligibility: Graduating seniors and alums up to three years post graduation. GPA: no minimum.
Campus Deadline: Early December
Area of Focus: Graduate Study in STEM, Social Sciences
Description: The NSF program provides Fellowships to individuals selected early in their graduate careers based on their demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in STEM, or STEM education.
NSF (NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION) GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
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NSF especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, veterans and undergraduate seniors to apply.
Candidate Profile: Potential of the applicant to advance knowledge based on a holistic analysis of the complete application and strength of academic record, description of previous research experience or publication/presentations and references.
Eligibility: Graduating Seniors, STEM majors, first and second year graduate students, U.S. Citizens
Campus Deadline: September
Area of Focus: Graduate study, international development, foreign service, global challenges
Description: The USAID Payne Fellowship identifies and trains outstanding individuals for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for international Development (USAID).
DONALD M. PAYNE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FELLOWSHIP
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Funded by USAID and administered by Howard University, fellowship requires commitment of five years of service.
Candidate Profile: Clear interest in International affairs career, demonstrated commitment to public/community service, strong academic background, ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups, strong social and communication skills and the ability to overcome obstacles. The fellowship encourages the application of women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need.
Eligibility: Graduating seniors, alums, U.S. Citizens seeking a two year graduate school program. Minimum GPA 3.2 Campus Deadline: September *students will also need to apply to graduate schools
Area of Focus: Graduate study, international affairs, foreign service, public policy, public administration, business, economics, political science, sociology, foreign languages
Description: The Pickering Fellowship provides graduate students with financial support, mentoring, and professional development to prepare them academically and professionally for careers in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service.
THOMAS R. PICKERING FOREIGN AFFAIRS GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
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Fellows agree to a minimum five-year service commitment in the Department of State's Foreign Service. *Applicants must plan on attending a U.S. university in pursuit of a two-year master's degree but are not required to have been accepted into a graduate program or submitted an application before they apply.
Candidate Profile: Clear interest in a foreign service career with the U.S. Department of State; strong academic background, commitment to service, leadership skills, financial need for graduate school, diverse interest in areas such as international affairs and government, cultural sensitivity, writing skills and an ability to overcome obstacles. The fellowship encourages the application of women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need.
Eligibility: Rising & graduating seniors, alums, U.S. Citizens with demonstrated financial need for graduate school. Minimum GPA: 3.2 Campus Deadline: August *students will also need to apply to graduate schools
Area of Focus: Graduate study, public administration, public policy, international relations, business administration, economics, history, political science, communications, or foreign languages.
Description: The Rangel Fellowship provides graduate students with financial support, mentoring, and professional development to prepare them academically and professionally for careers in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service.
CHARLES B. RANGEL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
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Fellows agree to a minimum five-year service commitment in the Department of State's Foreign Service. *Applicants must plan on attending a U.S. university in pursuit of a two-year master's degree but are not required to have been accepted into a graduate program or submitted an application before they apply.
Candidate Profile: Interest in public service and international affairs, a desire to live and work overseas, strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills as well as other characteristics highlighted in the State Department's Thirteen Dimensions. The fellowship encourages the application of women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need.
Eligibility: Rising/graduating seniors, alumnus U.S. Citizens with demonstrated financial need. Minimum GPA: 3.2 Campus Deadline: August *students will also need to apply to graduate schools
Area of Focus: All fields offered at Oxford University
Description: Fully funds 2-3 years of graduate study at Oxford University in nearly any field.
RHODES SCHOLARSHIP
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Scholars pursue taught or research-based degree programs and 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 in whatever domains their careers may lead.
Candidate Profile: Academic excellence, energy to use talents to the fullest (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theater, artistic pursuits, as an individual or part of a team). As described by Rhodes Fellowship, candidates exhibit a commitment to truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship, moral force of character and instincts to lead and to take an interest in fellow human beings.
Eligibility: Rising and graduating seniors and alums, U.S.Citizens/permanent residents, International students of Rhodes countries, minimum GPA 3.7 (average 3.9) Campus Deadline: Intent to apply required by April of Junior year, campus application deadline August
Area of Focus: Graduate Study, Public Policy, Economics and Business, International Studies, Sino-US relations.
Description: Fully funded one-year Master's in Global Affairs for future leaders who will gain an understanding of China’s role in global trends.
SCHWARZMAN SCHOLARS
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The program aims to give the world’s best and brightest students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and professional networks through a one-year Master’s Degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Students live and study together on the campus of Schwarzman College, a newly-built, state-of-the-art facility, where all classes are taught in English.
Candidate Profile: Academic excellence, aptitude and intellectual ability, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, ability to anticipate and act on emerging trends and opportunities, exemplary character and a desire to understand other cultures, perspectives and positions.
Eligibility: Rising seniors/seniors and alums between 18 and 29 years of age, all nationalities, no minimum GPA (average GPA 3.7)Campus Deadline: Intent to apply required by April of Junior year, review committee deadline end of August
Area of Focus: Graduate Study, U.S. Society, culture or academic interest
Description: Merit-based fellowship exclusively for immigrants and children of immigrants who are pursuing graduate school in the United States.
PAUL AND DAISY SOROS FELLOWSHIP FOR NEW AMERICANS
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Each fellowship supports up to two years of graduate study in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program in the United States.
Candidate Profile: Candidate must demonstrate creativity, originality,and initiative, sustained accomplishment and a commitment to the values expressed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Eligibility: Rising seniors/seniors and alums under the age of 31 who are U.S.Citizens by birth; Naturalized Citizens: Green Card Holders; U.S Citizen by adoption; DACA. both birth parents must have been born outside of the U.S. as non-U.S. citizens. Campus Deadline: Intent to apply required by April of Junior year, review committee deadline end of September *students will also need to apply to graduate schools
Area of Focus: Postgraduate research and travel, all fields
Description: Fellowship offers graduating seniors a one-year grant for independent study and purposeful travel and exploration outside of the United States, to enhance their capacity for resourcefulness, imagination, openness, and leadership and to foster their humane and effective participation in the world community.
WATSON FELLOWSHIP
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Further goal to represent geographic, institutional and field of study diversity.
Candidate Profile: Applicants selected based on merit, with consideration for academic record and potential to succeed, commitment to language learning, connection between target language and career/academic goals, ability to adapt to an intensive program and challenging environment, potential to contribute to overall CLS program goals. Some languages require 1-2 years prior study.
Eligibility: All enrolled students, U.S. citizens. GPA: No minimum
Campus Deadline: October
Area of Focus: Language study, cultural exchange
Description: Fully funded intensive summer overseas language and cultural immersion for one of 15 critical languages.
CRITICAL LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP
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Part of U.S. Government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. Further goal to represent geographic, institutional and field of study diversity.
Candidate Profile: Applicants selected based on merit, with consideration for academic record and potential to succeed, commitment to language learning, connection between target language and career/academic goals, ability to adapt to an intensive program and challenging environment, potential to contribute to overall CLS program goals.
Eligibility: All enrolled students, U.S. citizens. GPA: No minimum
Campus Deadline: Mid-October
Area of Focus: Peace and conflict, social justice
Description: Davis Projects for Peace is an initiative for students to design grassroots projects for the summer of 2020 - anywhere in the world – that promote peace and address the root causes of conflict among parties.
DAVIS 100 PROJECTS FOR PEACE
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Applicants are encouraged to use their creativity to design projects and employ innovative techniques for engaging in conflict resolution, reconciliation, building understanding, breaking down barriers that cause conflict, and finding solutions for resolving conflict and maintaining peace. Projects selected will receive funding of $10,000 each.
Candidate Profile: Projects to date have reflected one or more of the following characteristics: contributing to conflict prevention; ameliorating conditions leading to violence/conflict; looking for and building on shared attributes among differing peoples, races, ethnicities, tribes, clans, etc.; fostering diplomacy or otherwise contribute to advancing peace processes underway; promoting economic opportunity and entrepreneurship among those in post-conflict areas; finding creative ways to bring people on opposite sides of issues together, such as through art, sports, music, or other techniques to promote a common humanity; developing leadership and mediation skills training for those in conflict or post-conflict societies; starting or leveraging initiatives, organizations (e.g. education, health) or infrastructure projects to build/rebuild community.
Eligibility: Students from all class years may apply. International students are eligible.
Campus Deadline: November
Area of Focus: Cultural exchange, English teaching, research, study, creative and performing arts, diplomacy.
Description: One year of independent research, study, or English teaching abroad for US college graduates.
FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENT PROGRAM
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Successful applicants are motivated, open-minded and flexible with a strong desire to foster mutual understanding between the U.S. and partner nations. Awards vary by country.
Candidate Profile: Quality and feasibility of proposal, academic record, personal qualifications, language preparation where needed, extent to which the candidate and project will advance the Fulbright aim of promoting mutual understanding among nations through engagement in the host community, among other activities.
Eligibility: Graduating seniors and alums, U.S. Citizens GPA: No minimum
Campus Deadline: Intent to apply required by April of Junior year, campus application deadline early August