Fellowship Opportunities

Apply during Junior or Senior Year

For awards requiring Institutional Endorsement*, Fairfield University’s deadline will be prior to the organization’s deadline to allow time for review of your application.

Boren Fellowships*, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East.  The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are excluded.  Boren Fellows wish to work in the federal national security arena and in exchange for funding, commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

British Marshall Scholarships* finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom in a system of higher education recognized for its excellence. Applicants can apply for graduate study at any UK institution in any field of study for one or two years, with the possibility of extending for up to three years. Up to 40 scholars are selected each year.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program* offers approximately 10-12 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. They are selected from a pool of nominees from close to 400 participating colleges. Carnegie junior fellows work as research assistants to the endowment's senior associates. Those who have begun graduate studies are not eligible for consideration.

Charles Rangel Graduate Fellowship for individuals committed to serving their country and promoting positive change globally.  Award pays for two year graduate program, professional development and entry into the U.S. Foreign Service.

Davies-Jackson Scholarship* presents a unique opportunity for students with exceptional academic records, who are the first in their families to graduate college, to participate in a course of study at St. John's College at the University of Cambridge, England. Graduating seniors may apply for the 2-year B.A. degree program in one of the following subjects: Archaeology and Anthropology, Classics, Economics, English, Geography, History, History of Art, Modern and Medieval Languages, Music, Philosophy, or Social and Political Sciences. The Scholarship covers all fees, room, and board during term-time for up to 2 academic years and living expenses during summer vacation. The award is valued at $50,000, depending on prevailing exchange rates.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program* is the largest U.S. exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide for one year. The program currently awards approximately 1,900 grants annually in all fields of study, and operates in more than 140 countries worldwide.  The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs, the way they do things, and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, the individual will interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.

Gates-Cambridge Scholarship* Program aims to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. It offers prestigious, highly competitive, full-cost scholarships for up to three years. The Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants worldwide from countries outside the UK, including 40 from the U.S., to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Candidates must apply directly through the University of Cambridge.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a publicly-funded independent organization of higher education institutions in Germany that provides information and financial support to over 67,000 highly-qualified students and faculty per year for international research and study in Germany for varying lengths of time.

George J. Mitchell Scholarship* Program offers a national competitive scholarship sponsored by the U.S.-Ireland Alliance. It was named in honor of former U.S. Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, and is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service The program awards up to 12 scholars annually between the ages of 18 and 30 for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The program provides tuition, accommodations, a living expenses stipend and an international travel stipend.

Harry S. Truman Scholarship* supports the potential of terrific young people from across the United States committed to pursuing a degree to further a career in public service at any graduate institution. The belief is that a better future relies on attracting to public service the commitment and sound judgment of bright, outstanding young leaders. This competitive national scholarship receives over 600 applications for 55 to 65 Scholarships awarded annually. Scholars are awarded up to $30,000 toward a public service related graduate degree.

Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship* Award supports the graduate education of America's most promising technical talent by funding graduate studies leading to a Ph.D. in the applied physical, biological or engineering sciences at one of the U.S. universities affiliated with the Foundation. The Fellowship is awarded for up to 5 years. It is based on merit (not need) and consists of a cost-of-education allowance plus a personal-support stipend of approximately $32,000 per year. Candidates must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., and be willing to morally commit to make their skills available to the U.S. in time of national emergency. Students may apply as college seniors or graduate students already in the process of getting their degree.

James Madison Memorial Fellowship* Foundation is an independent agency established by Congress in 1986 for the purpose of improving teaching about the U.S. Constitution in secondary schools. The Foundation offers up to $24,000 for a 2-year Master's program at any accredited institution in the U.S. to individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level. Fellows must study in a field related to the U.S. Constitution including history, government and social studies. Usually, one Fellowship per state is awarded each year.

Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding college seniors and graduates who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Payne Fellowship, which provides up to $93,000 in benefits over 2 years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities, provides a unique pathway to the USAID Foreign Service. Fellows study an area of relevance to the USAID Foreign Service, including international development, international relations, public policy, business administration, foreign languages, economics, agriculture, environmental sciences, health, or urban planning. At the end of the fellowship, Fellows enter the USAID Foreign Service.. The initiative is funded by USAID and administered by Howard University. The program encourages those with financial need to apply.

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship* Programs are funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The Fellowship provides funding to participants as they are prepared academically and professionally to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service. The programs seek to recruit talented students with outstanding leadership skills in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. Applicants must be seeking admission to a 2-year Master's degree program at a U.S. institution. Some consideration will be given to candidates who demonstrate financial need. Fellows receive financial support of up to $40,000 annually covering tuition costs, room and board, books, mandatory fees, one round trip ticket.

Rhodes Scholarships* are the oldest international fellowship awards in the world that were established in 1903. Each year, 32 young Americans between the ages of 18 and 23 are selected to study any available field for 2 years at Oxford University in England. Scholars are provided full financial support and are selected on the basis of intellectual distinction, leadership, character, and commitment to service.

Rotary Foundation offers a global grant scholarship and two peace fellowships that either lead to a Master's degree or a Professional Development Certificate. These scholarships range from a few months to 4 years and all of them require a commitment to the advancement of peace. The availability of scholarships is determined by each Rotary district and varies from year to year. Contact the local Rotary Club of Fairfield for more information.

Schwarzman Scholars program gives 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 – one of China’s most prestigious universities. 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. Students pursue degrees in one of three disciplines: Public Policy, Economics and Business or International Studies.

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans honors the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States by supporting the graduate education of 30 New Americans—immigrants and children of immigrants—who are poised to make significant contributions to US society, culture or their academic field. Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 in financial support over two years, and they join a lifelong community of New American Fellows.