Nationally Competitive Awards Supported by UNLV

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program

• Academic Standing: Senior
• Field of Study: International Affairs, Political Science, Economics, History
• Type of Award/Program: Fellowship
• Description: Offers one-year fellowships to graduating seniors and recent graduates to work as research assistants to the Endowment’s senior associates.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: Yes
• Application Deadline: November (please note that this is our internal deadline in order to be considered for nomination by UNLV)
• Program Website: https://carnegieendowment.org/about/jr-fellows

Clarke DS Fellowship

• Academic Standing: Senior
• Field of Study: Various (applicants must be planning to pursue a two-year, full-time master’s degree program)
• Type of Award/Program: Fellowship
• Description: The Clarke DS Fellowship is a two-year graduate fellowship program designed for individuals who want to pursue a master’s degree and a career as a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agent in the Foreign Service. The fellowship provides up to $24,000 annually for tuition and up to $18,000 annually for other academic expenses, along with two summer practicums, personalized mentoring, and professional development opportunities. Upon successful completion, fellows receive an appointment as a DSS Special Agent in the Foreign Service.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No
• Application Deadline: April (please see program website for specific dates)
• Program Website: https://clarkedsfellowship.org/

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

• Academic Standing: Undergraduate and Graduate Students
• Field of Study: Various (focus on critical languages)
• Type of Award/Program: Scholarship
• Description: A fully funded summer overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No
• Application Deadline: November (please see program website for specific dates)
• Program Website: https://clscholarship.org/

Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship

• Academic Standing: Senior
• Field of Study: Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity
• Type of Award/Program: Fellowship
• Description: Provides up to $75,000 over two years for undergraduate or graduate study in IT-related fields, including two summer internships, with a commitment to work as an Information Management Specialist in the U.S. Foreign Service.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No
• Application Deadline: February (please see program website for specific dates)
• Program Website: https://www.faitfellowship.org/

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

• Academic Standing: Senior
• Field of Study: Various
• Type of Award/Program: Scholarship
• Description: Offers full-cost scholarships for graduate study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No
• Application Deadline: October (U.S. applicants); December (International applicants) (please see program website for specific dates)
• Program Website: https://www.gatescambridge.org/

Goldwater Scholarship & Excellence in Education Program

• Academic Standing: Sophomore, Junior
• Field of Study: Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering (STEM)
• Type of Award/Program: Undergraduate Research Award 
• Description: Provides up to $7,500 per year to outstanding undergraduate students who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering. 
• Requires Campus Endorsement: Yes
• Application Deadline: January (please note that this is our internal deadline in order to be considered for nomination by UNLV)
• Program Website: https://goldwater.scholarsapply.org

Luce Scholars Program

• Academic Standing: Senior or recent graduate
• Field of Study: Various (excluding Asian Studies majors)
• Type of Award/Program: Fellowship
• Description: Provides immersive, professional experiences in Asia for young leaders who have had limited prior exposure to the continent. The program offers individualized professional placements and stipends to enhance understanding of Asia among future American leaders.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: Yes
• Application Deadline: October (please note that this is our internal deadline in order to be considered for nomination by UNLV)
• Program Website: https://www.hluce.org/programs/luce-scholars/

Marshall Scholarship

• Academic Standing: Senior
• Field of Study: Various
• Type of Award/Program: Scholarship
• Description: Provides scholarships to outstanding American students to pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom, aiming to strengthen the relationship between the British and American peoples.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: Yes
• Application Deadline: August (please note that this is our internal deadline in order to be considered for nomination by UNLV)
• Program Website: https://www.marshallscholarship.org/

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)

• Academic Standing: Senior and First-Year Graduate Students
• Field of Study: Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering (STEM)
• Type of Award/Program: Research-Based Graduate School Funding
• Description: Provides three years of financial support, including an annual stipend of $37,000, to outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in NSF-supported STEM disciplines.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No 
• Application Deadline: October (please see program website for specific dates)
• Learn More: https://www.nsfgrfp.org

Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship

• Academic Standing: Senior or recent graduate
• Field of Study: Fields relevant to the Foreign Service, such as Public Policy, International Affairs, Public Administration, Business, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, or Foreign Languages
• Type of Award/Program: Fellowship
• Description: The Pickering Fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University, aims to attract and prepare outstanding individuals for Foreign Service careers. The fellowship provides up to $42,000 annually for a two-year period to cover tuition, room, board, books, and mandatory fees for a two-year master’s degree. Fellows participate in two summer internships: one at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., and one overseas at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Upon successful completion, fellows commit to a minimum of five years of service in the Foreign Service.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No
• Application Deadline: September (please see program website for specific dates)
• Program Website: https://pickeringfellowship.org/

Princeton in Asia Fellowship Program

• Academic Standing: Senior or recent graduate
• Field of Study: Various
• Type of Award/Program: Fellowship
• Description: Offers year-long service-oriented fellowships and internships in Asia, with opportunities in fields such as education, public health, environmental sustainability, economic development, and social justice.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No
• Application Deadline: November (please see program website for specific dates)
• Program Website: https://piaweb.princeton.edu/

Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute Fellowship Program

• Academic Standing: Junior
• Field of Study: Public Policy, International Affairs
• Type of Award/Program: Fellowship
• Description: A rigorous academic graduate-level preparation program for undergraduate juniors committed to public service careers. The program aims to address the lack of diversity across the spectrum of professional public service, including government, nonprofits, public policy institutions, and international organizations.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No
• Application Deadline: November (please see program website for specific dates)
• Program Website: https://ppiaprogram.org/

Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program

• Academic Standing: Senior
• Field of Study: International Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration
• Type of Award/Program: Fellowship
• Description: Provides up to $42,000 annually for two years for graduate study, internships, and professional development activities to prepare individuals for careers in the U.S. Foreign Service.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No
• Application Deadline: September (please see program website for specific dates)
• Program Website: https://rangelprogram.org/

Rhodes Scholarship

• Academic Standing: Graduating seniors, recent graduates, and those pursuing postgraduate (master’s or doctoral) studies
• Field of Study: Any full-time postgraduate course at the University of Oxford
• Type of Award/Program: Postgraduate Scholarship (1–3 years of study)
• Description: The Rhodes Scholarship, established in 1902 and funded by the Rhodes Trust, supports outstanding students from around the world to pursue full-time postgraduate study at Oxford. Selection criteria include academic excellence, leadership, character, and commitment to service. Scholars receive full funding for tuition, a stipend, and travel costs. 
• Requires Campus Endorsement: Yes 
• Application Deadline: Applications open early July; final submission by early October
• Program Website: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/

Schwarzman Scholars Program

• Academic Standing: Senior or recent graduate
• Field of Study: Various
• Type of Award/Program: Scholarship
• Description: Offers a fully funded one-year master’s degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, designed to prepare future leaders by deepening their understanding of China and its role in global affairs.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No
• Application Deadline: September (please see program website for specific dates)
• Program Website: https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/

Tillman Scholar Program

• Academic Standing: Military spouses, veterans, and service members
• Field of Study: Various
• Type of Award/Program: Scholarship
• Description: The Pat Tillman Foundation offers scholarships to active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses pursuing full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees at accredited U.S.-based institutions. Scholars are selected based on their service, leadership, and potential for impact.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: No
• Application Deadline: February (please see program website for specific dates)
• Program Website: https://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply/

Truman Scholarship Foundation

• Academic Standing: Junior
• Field of Study: Various (focus on public service)
• Type of Award/Program: Scholarship
• Description: Provides up to $30,000 for graduate study to students committed to careers in public service. Scholars also participate in leadership development programs and have opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: Yes
• Application Deadline: November (please note that this is our internal deadline in order to be considered for nomination by UNLV)
• Program Website: https://www.truman.gov/

Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

• Academic Standing: Sophomore or Junior
• Field of Study: Environmental Studies, Native American Health Care, Tribal Public Policy
• Type of Award/Program: Scholarship
• Description: Provides scholarships of up to $7,000 to students committed to careers related to the environment, or to Native American and Alaska Native students pursuing careers related to tribal public policy or health care. Scholars also attend a multiday Scholar Orientation experience.
• Requires Campus Endorsement: Yes
• Application Deadline: February (please note that this is our internal deadline in order to be considered for nomination by UNLV)
• Program Website: https://www.udall.gov/ourprograms/scholarship/scholarship.aspx