Fellowships, Scholarships & Funding Opportunities

FLAS Fellowships

The Center for African Studies provides Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships through funding from the U.S. Department of Education Title VI program. FLAS Fellowships support students taking African languages (Amharic, Arabic, Swahili, Wolof, Yoruba and Zulu) and area studies coursework. The fellowships support intensive for-credit study of an African language and to promote the development of competency in African Studies either in the United States or abroad.
Apply at: http://cfas.howard.edu/FLAS

Rangel Summer Enrichment Program

The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program is a six-week summer program designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such careers. The Program usually selects participants (known as “Rangel Scholars”) each year from universities throughout the United States. This program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Students live at Howard University, attend classes, and participate in a variety of programs with foreign affairs professionals at Howard and at diverse locations around Washington, DC.
Apply at: http://rangelprogram.org/summer-enrichment-program

U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

The CLS Program is a fully-funded intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu. Most CLS languages do not require previous study of the target language.
Apply at: http://www.clscholarship.org/apply

Boren Scholarships

Fund study abroad by U.S. undergraduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests.
Appy at: https://www.borenawards.org/

PPIA Junior Summer Institute (JSI) Fellowship Program

The PPIA JSI Fellowship Program is a rigorous academic graduate level preparation program for undergraduate juniors committed to public service careers. The program was started to address the lack of diversity across the spectrum of professional public service, including government, nonprofits, public policy institutions, and international organizations. The purpose of the JSI Fellowship is to prepare students to obtain a Master’s or joint degree, in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field.
Apply at: https://ppiaprogram.org/undergrad-jsi/

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.
Apply at: https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships

For more than three decades the CBCF in partnership with CBC Spouses has awarded scholarships to talented and deserving students. Each year, we award more than 300 scholarships to students that demonstrate leadership ability through exemplary community service and academic talent. Our scholarship programs support current or upcoming college students across a variety of disciplines.
Apply at: https://www.cbcfinc.org/scholarships/

Perlego Future Leaders in Tech Scholarship

The United States has some of the highest college tuition fees in the world. Not only does this make higher education less accessible, but it also creates a glaring lack of diversity in some of the biggest industries, like Tech. We want to change this, so we are awarding a $20,000 scholarship to a student from a disadvantaged background who is interested in studying computer science, and who we believe has the potential to become a future leader in our industry.
Apply at: https://www.perlego.com/mission-scholarship-bursary-programme

Fund for Education Abroad

The mission of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. FEA makes life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting students of color, community college, and first-generation college students before, during, and after they participate in education abroad programs. You could be awarded up to $10,000 to study abroad anywhere in the world.
Apply at: https://fundforeducationabroad.org/apply/

Gates Millennium Scholars Program

This program, funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, offers minority students the opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest.
Apply at: https://gmsp.org/

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship Award

This scholarship offers college grants to minority high school students showing leadership potential and demonstrating financial need.
Apply at: https://jackierobinson.org/apply/

Ron Brown Scholar Program

This scholarship program provides academic scholarships, service opportunities, and leadership experiences.
Apply at: https://ronbrown.org/apply/ron-brown-scholarship/

NAACP Scholarships

Each year we offer need-based and merit scholarships to outstanding and qualified Black students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees as part of our NAACP - Scholars and Professionals: Internships, Ready Youth and Employment (N-SPIRE) program. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work and life.
Apply at: https://naacp.org/find-resources/scholarships-awards-internships/scholarships

Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship.
Apply at: https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/program-overview/

FLAS Fellowships

The Center for African Studies provides Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships through funding from the U.S. Department of Education Title VI program. FLAS Fellowships support students taking African languages (Amharic, Arabic, Swahili, Wolof, Yoruba and Zulu) and area studies coursework. The fellowships support intensive for-credit study of an African language and to promote the development of competency in African Studies either in the United States or abroad.
Apply at: http://cfas.howard.edu/FLAS

WARA Fellowships

West African Research Association (WARA) offers a variety of awards ranging from travel grants to residencies to pre- and post- doctoral fellowships for research in West Africa and the U.S. All disciplines are welcomed to apply, but requirements vary by award.
Apply at: westafricanresearchassociation.org/fellowships

Sasakawa Peace Foundation Fellowship Program

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation Fellowship Program is designed to provide full financial support to outstanding Ph.D. students admitted to candidacy with a research concentration in international affairs and/or world peace for the duration of two academic years, as long as the recipient meets eligibility requirements.
Apply at: https://gs.howard.edu/internal-funding/sasakawa-peace-foundation-fellowship-program

Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship Program

The Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship Program provides opportunities to doctoral candidates to engage in full-time dissertation research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies. The program is designed to deepen research knowledge and increase the study of modern foreign languages, cultural engagement, and area studies not generally included in U.S. curricula. 
Apply at: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsddrap/index.html

U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

The CLS Program is a fully-funded intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu. Most CLS languages do not require previous study of the target language.
Apply at: http://www.clscholarship.org/apply

Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program

The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP) is a scholar fellowship program for educational projects at African higher education institutions.
Apply at: https://www.iie.org/AfricanDiaspora.

Mellon International Dissertation Research Fellowship (IDRF)

The Mellon International Dissertation Research Fellowship (IDRF) offers nine to twelve months of support to graduate students in the humanities and humanistic social sciences who are enrolled in PhD programs in the United States and conducting dissertation research on non-US topics. Seventy fellowships are awarded annually. Fellowship amounts vary depending on the research plan, with a per-fellowship average of $23,000.
Apply at: https://www.ssrc.org/fellowships/view/idrf-fellowship/

USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program

The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Apply at: https://www.paynefellows.org/

Social Science Research Council (SSRC) Fellowships

Since 1923, the SSRC has awarded more than fifteen thousand fellowships to researchers around the globe. Council fellowship programs are strategic—they target specific problems, promote individual and institutional change, and expand networks.
The SSRC’s varied fellowships and prizes share a core commitment to improving conditions for social science knowledge production worldwide. Programs engage themes ranging from global issues facing the United States and Japan to security in Africa and Latin America.
Apply at: https://www.ssrc.org/fellowships/

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program

The Pickering Graduate Fellowship is a U.S. Department of State program, administered by Howard University, that seeks to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers as Foreign Service Officers in the U.S. Department of State. Candidates must be graduating seniors or college graduates. The Program welcomes the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department, women, and those with financial need.  Based on the fundamental principle that diversity is a strength in our diplomatic efforts, the program values varied backgrounds, including ethnic, racial, social, and geographic diversity.  Applicants with any undergraduate major are welcome to apply. Selected fellows will receive support for graduate school and will enter exciting and rewarding careers representing the United States overseas.
Apply at: https://pickeringfellowship.org/

Boren Fellowships

Fund research and language study proposals by U.S. graduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests.
Apply at: https://www.borenawards.org/

Richard A. Horovitz Fund for Professional Development 

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is pleased to announce a competition of the Richard A. Horovitz Fund for Professional Development for citizens of a sub-Saharan African country in programs at accredited U.S. universities or cultural or artistic institutions. The Horovitz Fund is dedicated to African artists and scholars in the humanities and social sciences. Award winner(s) receive funds to defray educational costs for one academic year. 
Apply at: https://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Richard-A-Horovitz-Fund-for-Professional-Development/Eligibility

Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowship Program

United States of Peace Institute’s Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowship program awards non-residential fellowships to students enrolled in U.S. universities who are writing doctoral dissertations on topics related to international conflict management and peacebuilding. Since 1988, the program has supported the dissertations of 312 young scholars, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in research, teaching and policy making.
Apply at: https://www.usip.org/grants-fellowships/fellowships/jennings-randolph-peace-scholar-dissertation-fellowship-program

Ford Foundation Fellowship Programs

Through its program of fellowships, the Ford Foundation seeks to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.
Predoctoral, Dissertation, and Postdoctoral fellowships will be awarded in a national competition administered by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on behalf of the Ford Foundation. 
Apply at: https://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/FordFellowships

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships

For more than three decades the CBCF in partnership with CBC Spouses has awarded scholarships to talented and deserving students. Each year, we award more than 300 scholarships to students that demonstrate leadership ability through exemplary community service and academic talent. Our scholarship programs support current or upcoming college students across a variety of disciplines.
Apply at: https://www.cbcfinc.org/scholarships/