Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships

Princeton in Asia Fellowship

Princeton in Asia (PiA) has long been driven by a mission to foster cross-cultural understanding between East and West by giving young people opportunities to live and work in Asia.  PiA matches talented and passionate college graduates with organizations working across Asia for one-year service placements. As employees of a variety of Asian institutions, PiA fellows gain work and life experience while providing valuable services to their Asian hosts. PiA offers service-oriented posts in the fields of education, international development (NGOs), journalism, and business, with a majority of fellows working as English teachers at universities and high schools.

http://piaweb.princeton.edu/

Deadline: October 31, 2022, 3:00 pm EST (Tentative deadline)

Penn’s Application Process

• While the Princeton in Asia Fellowship does not require Penn’s nomination, CURF will be happy to provide advice, guidance, and application assistance to you.

Princeton in Africa Fellowship

Princeton in Africa matches talented and passionate college graduates with organizations working across Africa for one-year service placements. Fellows have helped improve education and public health, source fresh water and alternative energy, increase family incomes, and more.

https://www.princetoninafrica.org/applicants/how-to-apply/

Deadline: October 26, 2022 (Tentative deadline)

Penn’s Application Process

• While the Princeton in Africa Fellowship does not require Penn’s nomination, CURF will be happy to provide advice, guidance, and application assistance to you.

Soros Fellowship

The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship supports New Americans (immigrants or the children of immigrants), who are pursuing a graduate degree in any field in the United States.  The Fellowship provides up to $25,000 in stipend support, as well as 50 percent of required tuition and fees, up to $20,000 per year, for two years, for a total of up to $90,000 in student support.

https://www.pdsoros.org/

Deadline: October 27, 2021, *2:00pm Eastern US Time* (Tentative Deadline)

Penn’s Application Process

• While the Soros Fellowship does not require Penn’s nomination, CURF will be happy to provide advice, guidance, and application assistance to you.
• Applicants will submit the application and supporting materials electronically here.

View and follow this step-by-step guide for potential applicants!

Davis Projects for Peace

The Kathryn Wasserman Davis 100 Projects for Peace program invites undergraduates (including graduating seniors) to design grassroots projects that they will implement during the summer, anywhere in the world. The projects judged to be the most promising and valuable will be funded at $10,000 each. The program aims to encourage student initiative, innovation, and entrepreneurship, focusing on conflict prevention, resolution, or reconciliation.

http://www.davisprojectsforpeace.org

Penn Deadline: January 17, 2023 (Tentative Deadline)

Penn’s Application Process

The Davis Projects for Peace program accepts nominations from institutions – students may not apply independently. To apply to be one of Penn’s nominees, you must complete the following steps by Penn’s Internal Deadline of January 17, 2023.

• To apply, a student (or group of students) must prepare a written statement (not to exceed two pages) that describes the project (who, what, where, how), as well as a budget (one separate page - a Budget Template and Instructions are available here).  You will find numerous examples of funded proposals on the Davis Projects for Peace website here. Proposals require a heading which includes the following information: name of the participating institution (University of Pennsylvania), name of all student participants, title of project, dates of the project, country where the project will be performed.
• Each application must be supported by two letters - one letter of support from a Penn mentor (faculty or staff), and one letter of support from a proposed project affiliate in the host community. Once you have arranged for these letters, begin a CURF Fellowships Nomination Request for the Davis Projects for Peace and request letters through that process. These letters must also be received by Penn's Deadline of January 18:
  • The letter of support from a Penn mentor (faculty or staff) should discuss the proposed project's feasibility and the adequacy of the applicant's/applicants' preparation to complete it. It should also outline ways in which the applicant (or team of applicants) would be mentored over the course of the project and beyond.
  • The letter of support from a proposed project affiliate in the host community should acknowledge that you have been in contact with local partners, that your project is welcome, and that you will have access to necessary support while on location. 
• Using the Request for Nomination application form, upload a single PDF which combines your written statement and budget (save each document as a pdf, then create a single pdf by navigating to Acrobat's "File -> Create -> Combine Files into a Single PDF” feature).  
• If you do not receive an email confirming receipt of your PDF or your recommendations submissions within 4 hours, please IMMEDIATELY email aolson@upenn.edu to make sure CURF has received your submission.
• Nominated students will receive further instructions. 

Luce Scholars

Application is open for the 2023-2024 cycle

In spite of its name, the Luce Scholars Program is experiential rather than academic in nature. At the heart of the enterprise are the internships that are arranged for each Scholar on the basis of their specific professional interests, background, qualifications, and experience. Luce is open to US citizens and permanent residents, and placements can be made in the following countries: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Aimed at a very select group of young professionals from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, the Luce Scholars Program is unique in placing emphasis on leaders who have had limited (or no) prior exposure to the region.  Luce welcomes applications from college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals in a variety of fields. A monthly stipend and certain other allowances are provided by the Luce Foundation.

The Luce Scholars program no longer requires university nomination. Luce now accepts applications directly from students and alumni.

https://www.hluce.org/

Deadline: October 1, 2022

Penn’s Application Process

• While the Luce Foundation does not require Penn’s nomination, CURF will be happy to provide advice, guidance, and application assistance to you.

Yenching Academy

Functioning as an independent college at Peking University, Beijing, the Academy offers students a Master of Arts in China Studies with a curriculum that covers six broad categories: Literature and Culture; History and Archaeology; Philosophy and Religion; Politics and International Relations; Economics and Management; and Law and Society.  Academy courses will be available in both English and Chinese.

Fellowships for international Yenching Scholars are for twelve months, during the course of which they complete their coursework and may complete the thesis.  A limited number of financial aid packages are available for those who wish to remain on campus for a second year.  Degrees are granted upon the completion of all coursework and satisfactory defense of the thesis, and are awarded in January and July of each year.

Yenching Academy of Peking University is hosting a series of virtual open sessions for prospective students on Yenching's strongest research areas from mid-October through late November. Current and past students of the Academy and Yenching Associate Dean, Dr. Brent Haas, will host. View Yenching's research areas and register here.

http://yenchingacademy.org/

Penn Deadline for currently enrolled Penn students: November 15, 2022, 4:00pm

NOTE:  Alumni who are citizens of nations other than the US or Canada must also apply for Penn endorsement by November 15, 2022, in order to meet Yenching's non-US and Canada application deadline.  If you are uncertain whether you fall under the non-US and Canada deadline, please contact Yenching Academy's Admissions Team at yca-admissions@pku.edu.cn

Penn’s Application Process

The Yenching Academy program accepts nominations from institutions – students may not apply independently. To apply to be one of Penn’s nominees, you must complete the following steps by Penn’s Internal Deadline of November 15, 2022, 4:00pm.

• Applicants must complete and submit this Yenching application form and submit it as part of your application to Penn.
• This year, Yenching Academy has announced that Peking University will only accept recommendation letters written by full professors or associate professors. Please check each potential recommender's webpage to ascertain their academic rank. If you are uncertain about their rank, please email Dr. Genser at genser@upenn.edu.
• As soon as you have arranged for letters of recommendation, complete and submit this Yenching recommendation form, which you must send to each of your recommenders and which must be submitted by recommenders to CURF along with their Yenching recommendation letter for you.
• Complete Penn’s CURF Fellowships Nomination Request for the Yenching Academy.  Here, you will upload a single PDF which combines your completed Yenching application form, your personal statement, CV/resume, and unofficial transcript from Penn InTouch (and other institutions, if relevant).  If you do not receive an email confirming your submission within 4 hours, please IMMEDIATELY email aolson@upenn.edu to make sure CURF has received your submission.
• Nominated students will receive further instructions. 
• After being nominated by Penn, applicants must also complete and submit the Yenching application. Applicants should NOT complete the “Recommenders” section of the online application. Since Penn submits each candidate’s two letters of recommendation by email, nominees should simply enter their recommenders’ information (name, title, etc.) in the Yenching application system, but enter yca-submissions@pku.edu.cn and noreply-yca-admissions@pku.edu.cn instead of the recommenders’ email addresses, then click “send request.” This will prevent unnecessary work for recommenders.

Thouron Award

The Thouron Award is tenable at any university in the United Kingdom, and covers tuition and fees for a single one- or two-year graduate degree program, plus a living allowance and generous travel stipend.  Applicants will be selected on the basis of scholarship, as well as clarity of purpose, contribution to community, and other intangible aspects of person.

The Thouron-University of Pennsylvania Fund for British-American Student Exchange exists for the promotion of better understanding and closer friendship between the people of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. This academic exchange and experience in international friendship was conceived by and is supported by gifts from Sir John Thouron and the late Esther du Pont, Lady Thouron, of Unionville, Pennsylvania.

Fall 2022 applicants must have completed their most recent degree from Penn (or be in the process of completing their Penn degree) no earlier than Spring 2020.

Potential applicants should view this video to learn more about the Thouron Award: 2021 Thouron Award Information session with Thouron Award staff and 2021 recipient

https://www.thouronaward.org/apply-from-penn/

Penn Deadline: October 15, 2022 (Tentative Deadline)

Penn’s Application Process

• Submit your application materials and register your recommenders directly through the Thouron Award website by October 15, 2022 (Tentative Deadline).
• Candidates are also expected to be in touch with at least one faculty member at their first choice UK institution. These individuals need not ultimately supervise candidates' dissertation work, but should serve as a contact for applicants to become familiar with their intended departments.
• After applications are received, the Thouron faculty committee will screen the applications. A set of finalists will then be invited in December to attend interviews, almost always held in late January or early February in Philadelphia. 

Michel David Weill Scholarship

This scholarship funds tuition and living expenses for a two-year master’s program at Sciences Po in Paris for one American student who exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, multiculturalism, tolerance, and high achievement. A minimum GPA of 3.70 is required to apply for the Michel David Weill Scholarship.

http://www.americas.sciences-po.fr/en/content/michel-david-weill-scholarship

Penn Deadline: October 31, 2022, 11:59pm US Eastern Time

Penn’s Application Process

The Michel David Weill Scholarship accepts nominations from institutions – students may not apply independently. To apply to be Penn’s nominee, you must complete the following steps by Penn’s Internal Deadline of October 31, 2022, 11:59pm US Eastern Time.

• As soon as you have arranged for letters of recommendation, CURF Fellowships Nomination Request for the Michel David Weill Scholarship, where you will be able to request letters of recommendation.
• Additionally, you will upload a single PDF which combines the Michel David Weill Candidate Information Form, personal statement, recent graded research paper (8-10 pages with professor comments), and your unofficial transcript from Penn InTouch (and other institutions, if relevant). Please also include in this pdf a copy of your CV or resume. If you do not receive an email confirming your submission within 4 hours, please IMMEDIATELY email aolson@upenn.edu to make sure CURF has received your submission.
• Candidates must also apply directly to a master’s program at Sciences Po by the relevant institutional application deadline, which in 2021 was November 30 (TENTATIVE). 
• Nominated students will receive further instructions.  

Churchill Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to enable outstanding American students (generally with a GPA of 3.90 or higher) to complete one year of graduate study in engineering, mathematics, and science at Churchill College, University of Cambridge.  The Scholarship covers all fees and provides a living stipend, a transportation allowance for travel to the UK, and travel and research grants.

https://www.churchillscholarship.org/

Penn Deadline:  October 4, 2022

• Churchill applicants must also separately apply to Cambridge no later than the US Gates Cambridge Deadline, which is October 12, 2022 (TENTATIVE)

Churchill applicants must list Churchill College as their first choice college on their Cambridge application in order to be considered for the Churchill)

Penn’s Application Process

The Churchill Scholarship accepts nominations from institutions – students may not apply independently. To apply to be one of Penn’s nominees (Penn may nominate up to 2 candidates each year), you must complete the following steps by Penn’s Internal Deadline of October 4, 2022.

• Carefully review the instructions at https://churchillscholarship.org/apply.html, then register and login to the Churchill application at https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/churchillscholarship. Complete the application, and submit it through the Churchill application system by Penn’s Internal Deadline of October 4, 2022.
• Recommendations must be requested and submitted through the Churchill application system no later than Penn’s Internal Deadline of October 4, 2022.
• Nominated students will receive further instructions.

Check out this 2021 step-by-step Gaither guide for potential applicants!

James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program offers up to twelve one-year internships at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Gaither Junior Fellows assist with research and editing for Carnegie senior scholars in areas including nuclear nonproliferation, foreign policy, democracy and governance, technology policy, economics, and regional studies. Junior Fellows are paid a monthly salary and receive health insurance.

http://carnegieendowment.org/about/jr-fellows

Penn Deadline: November 29, 2022 (Tentative deadline) 

Penn’s Application Process

The Gaither Junior Fellows program accepts nominations from institutions – students may not apply independently. To apply to be one of Penn’s nominees, you must complete the following steps by Penn’s Internal Deadline of November 30, 2021.

• 2022-2023 application materials are available in this link:  James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program application
• As soon as you have arranged for letters of recommendation, begin a CURF Fellowships Nomination Request for the Gaither Junior Fellows program and request letters through that process. NOTE: If you do not receive an email confirming your submission within 4 hours, please IMMEDIATELY e-mail aolson@upenn.edu to make sure CURF has received your submission.
• You will also be prompted to upload a single PDF which combines:
  1. Gaither application form
  2. cover essay (1 page, double-spaced, on why you wish to become a Junior Fellow)
  3. CV or resume (1-2 pages) 
  4. unofficial transcript from PennInTouch (and other institutions, if relevant)
  5. essay for the program for which you are applying (3 pages)

• Nominated students will receive further instructions.