National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG)
The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship is a highly competitive, portable fellowship that is awarded to U.S. citizens and nationals who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in one of fifteen supported disciplines.
The NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program is an accelerated, individualized doctoral training program for outstanding science students committed to biomedical research careers. Successful applicants will spend half their time at the National Institutes of Health and the remainder at either Oxford or Cambridge in an intensive, research-driven, dual-mentored degree program. Students begin work to develop a dual-mentored thesis that meets their academic and research goals immediately upon acceptance. The scholar’s doctorate, usually completed in four years, is conferred by either Oxford or Cambridge, depending on where their research is done; hence applicants must meet requirements for acceptance into the graduate program of the relevant University.
Deadline: December 1, 2022 (Tentative Deadline) - Application opens August 1, 2022
Penn’s Application Process
While the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program does not require Penn’s nomination, CURF will be happy to provide advice, guidance, and application assistance to you.
Funds one full year of study in any subject for a master’s degree or an independent research project at an institution in Germany. German language proficiency expected for social science and humanities degrees or projects, but not for STEM or arts fields.
Penn Deadline: October 11, 2022 (Tentative Deadline)
Penn’s Application Process
The DAAD Scholarship accepts applications from institutions – students and alumni may not apply independently. To apply through Penn, you must complete the following steps by Penn’s Internal Deadline of October 11, 2022 (Tentative Deadline)
Applications consist of the application form, supplementary materials (if relevant), CV/resume, study proposal, 1 letter of recommendation, evidence of contact with German institution, German language form, and transcripts which should be submitted to the DAAD Online Portal (https://portal.daad.de/irj/portal)
Beginning this year, DAAD will no longer require paper copies of the application, EXCEPT the signed reference form. A copy of this form must be submitted to Penn’s DAAD coordinator (Ms. Bridget Rothera, brothera@sas.upenn.edu) in the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences.
Beginning in 1960 the Saint Andrew’s Society of New York has provided over 185 graduate scholarships to promote cultural interchange and goodwill between Scotland and the US. Each year a scholarship for one year of graduate study in Scotland is given to three students of some Scottish descent who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance to continue their education in Scotland. The scholarship offers the recipient funding for up to $35,000 to be used initially against tuition, then board, transportation, and other expenses.
Candidates should possess qualifications which will enable them to be good ambassadors for the United States while in Scotland. The basis for selection shall include the student’s: (1) academic achievement; (2) extracurricular activities; (3) financial need; (4) clarity of career purpose in pursuing the graduate studies; (5) a statement that sets forth why the applicant wishes to continue your education, with clarity around the graduate study objective(s) to be achieved and why he/she wishes to study in Scotland; (6) some Scottish descent; and (7) proof of US Citizenship. Proof of application to their selected school will be required for finalists.
The Saint Andrew’s Scholarship program 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 November 1, 2022.
Arrange for two letters of recommendation from faculty.
Complete Penn’s Internal Fellowships application form. Here, you will officially request letters of recommendation, and upload a single PDF which combines your St. Andrew’s Application form, resume, unofficial transcript from Penn InTouch (and other institutions, if relevant), personal statement, and all required essays. 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.
Penn’s nominee will be required to allow Penn’s Student Financial Services office to release information demonstrating your financial need.
CURF will forward the application for Penn’s nominated student to the Saint Andrew’s Society of New York for consideration by their deadline of December 15. Six finalists will be invited to a lunch in February or March, and two recipients selected.
The British Chevening Scholarships, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), are prestigious scholarships that enable mid-career professionals from abroad to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom. These scholarships are offered to citizens of more than 100 countries (note: US citizens are not eligible). Applicants must have at least two years of work experience to be eligible to apply.
Boren Fellowships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide funding for US graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to US interests. Boren Fellowships provide funding for overseas language study, academic study, research, an academic internship, or a combination of the above (though all proposals must include a significant language component). Boren Fellows commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.
Penn Deadline: January 16, 2023 (Tentative Deadline)
Penn’s Application Process
Submit your application materials directly through the Boren Fellowship website by January 16, 2023. CURF is then responsible for the final submission of your application.
The Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship Award supports graduate students working towards the Ph.D. degree in the applied physical, biological and engineering sciences.
The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding young people who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The Payne Fellowship, which provides up to $90,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities, provides a unique pathway to the USAID Foreign Service. A cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above is required. The Fellowship encourages the application of members of minority groups who have historically been underrepresented in international development careers and those with financial need.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)
The National Science Foundation offers approximately 900 graduate fellowships each year, including additional awards for women in engineering and computer and information science. Fellowships provide three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees at US universities in science, mathematics and engineering supported by the NSF and are intended for students in the early stages of their graduate study.
Deadline: Varies by field – October 17, 2022 (Tentative Deadline, VARIES BY FIELD) see this page for deadlines by field. Detailed NSF program info in HTML or PDF format here)
Applicants should seek assistance on their Proposed Plan of Research essay from their PI, research mentors, and faculty in their proposed field at Penn or their proposed graduate institution
While the NSF-GRFP does not require Penn’s nomination, CURF will be happy to provide advice, guidance, and application assistance, particularly through draft review of NSF-GRFP Personal, Reverent Background and Future Goals statements
NSF-GRFP Personal, Reverent Background and Future Goals statement draft review requests should accompanied by your Proposed Plan of Research essay (though CURF's feedback will focus on the NSF-GRFP Personal, Reverent Background and Future Goals statement)
The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships program provides allocations of academic year and summer fellowships to institutions of higher education to assist meritorious undergraduate students and graduate students undergoing training in modern foreign languages and related area or international studies or with the international aspects of professional or other fields of study. FLAS awards are available only for specific languages, and are contingent on federal funding.
The FLAS Fellowship in Middle Eastern Languages is for Arabic, Hebrew, Kurdish, Persian, Tajik, and Turkish.
