Introduction to Fellowships

Fellowships are inter/nationally competitive, high-profile, life-changing opportunities for talented and ambitious students and alumni to pursue advanced study, international research, foreign service internships, English teaching assistantships, selective internships in government and nonprofit organizations, research residencies at libraries and museums, and much more, at the undergraduate or graduate level, domestically and internationally. Fellowships are valuable experiences in themselves and are often avenues to aspirational academic and career goals.

Recipients of these awards receive recognition for their record of academic performance, leadership, service, undergraduate research, foreign language acquisition, creative achievements, and commitment to advanced inquiry and/or public good, in many combinations. Smaller awards for first- and second-year students often serve as springboards to subsequent opportunities. Fellowships open doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching and development, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Micah Fernando, DAAD RiSE in Germany

Micah Fernando '22 (Biochemistry). Micah talks about his experience with the DAAD-RISE program in Germany. 

Finding a Fellowship

There are so many opportunities for undergraduates and graduates alike! Search your major or interests, you'll be amazed at what you'll find!

Browse our Fellowships List


How We Can Help You

The staff in the Frederik Meijer Office of Fellowships is here to help as you navigate through different paths and look into the opportunities that fit your specific needs and goals. 
We are here to help you:

  • Determine your academic goals and guide you toward the path that's best for you, be it teaching, service, business, or something else entirely.
  • Achieve new heights you may not have thought possible by encouraging you to step outside your comfort zone and look beyond campus life.
  • Discover, apply for, and hopefully embark on new opportunities both domestically and abroad to expand your knowledge and further your scholastic achievement.

What if I am unsure of my next steps in my degree plan or life after graduation?

No problem! We can support you as you explore multiple paths. Thinking about applying to competitive graduate programs? Weighing various combinations of majors? We'll help you navigate the process of exploring award opportunities within our office while also keeping your plans in mind. Interested in teaching English after graduation? Committed to public service and interested in internships and summer seminars that will help you network with organizations and mentors in DC and elsewhere? Interested in improving your language skills in one of the 'critical need' languages such as Arabic, Turkish, Mandarin, or Russian - while also preparing for a career in federal service? Attracted to opportunities to do research abroad? Drawn to graduate study abroad? Visit with us as you explore your goals and the many exciting opportunities available to you! We can help you create a multi-year action plan that will help you achieve your goals. 

Reasons to Apply

There are many reasons to apply for the opportunities within our office. Students who applied for nationally competitive awards but did not receive them, have nevertheless articulated numerous benefits to submitting an application:

  • Learn how to submit a nationally competitive award application
  • Prepare for the graduate school application processes
  • Define career and educational goals
  • Discover one's purpose and realize one's potential
  • Build confidence and personal motivation 
  • Discover strengths and skills within yourself 
  • Practice writing personal statements
  • Build relationships with faculty and other mentors
  • Learn how to ask for letters of recommendation
  • Develop vivid, persuasive, and effective writing skills and a distinctive personal voice
  • Identify further follow-on opportunities
     

Autumn Chorney '23

Autumn Chorney '23 Gilman recipient studying abroad in Australia in Winter 2023.

Autumn Chorney '23 (Psychology). Autumn was awarded the Gilman International Scholarship for the Winter Semester 2023. This scholarship enabled Autumn to participate as a research fellow at the University of New South Wales under Dr. Eddie Harmon-Jones. Here, Autumn examined the psychology of conspiracy theory and worked toward advancing emotion research.


Helpful Contacts



Page last modified February 29, 2024