Scholarships and Fellowships for Sophomores and Juniors

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The Beinecke Scholarship

For graduate study in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, this scholarship enables highly motivated students of exceptional promise to pursue opportunities available to them and to be courageous in the selection of a graduate course of study. Click here for more information regarding the Beinecke Scholarship.

Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) Fellowship Program

For Sophomores and Juniors with a focused research agenda related in some way to the American presidency who want to learn about leadership and governance, to share their outstanding research and scholarship, to develop as future leaders of character, and to be inspired to careers in public service. Click here for more information regarding the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress Fellowship Program.

The Goldwater Scholarship

For Sophomores and Juniors with outstanding potential who intend to pursue a career in mathematics, engineering, and/or the natural sciences.

  • Campus Deadline:  Competition has closed for the 2011-12 season  
  • Information Session:  Has already occurred, contact UAR for information  
  • Award
    • Eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room + board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually
    • Junior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of two years of scholarship support; senior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for one year of scholarship support
  • Eligibility
    • Nomination by Stanford through Undergraduate Advising and Research (UAR)
    • Open to full-time registered sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering
    • While the Goldwater Foundation requires a GPA of at least a "B" or the equivalent, and that applicants be in the upper fourth of their class, the Stanford selection process is highly competitive and experience indicates that only students with a GPA of 3.6 and above can expect to be successful in the competition
    • US citizen, resident alien, or US national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands
  • Application Instructions

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Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program

For Sophomores who are committed, as future professors, to address the educational consequences of racial and ethnic disparities in higher education.

  • Campus Deadline:  Preliminary is end of winter quarter; Final is end of spring quarter
  • Award
    • Structured programming, faculty mentoring, term-time stipend for research activities, support for summer research, and repayment of undergraduate loans of up to $10,000 
    • Additional financial support available for expenses related to pursuit of graduate degree
  • Eligibility
    • Interest in a college or university teaching career
    • Exceptional scholarly promise in one of the following Mellon-designated fields of study:
      • Anthropology, Area Studies, Art History
      • Classics, Computer Science
      • Demography, Drama
      • English, Ethnomusicology 
      • Foreign Languages
      • History
      • Linguistics, Literature
      • Musicology
      • Philosophy, Political Theory, Religion, Sociology
      • An intention to matriculate in a PhD program
    • US citizen or permanent resident

  • Application Instructions
    • Submit the following materials to Laura Selznick  at Lasuen Row Center 102, located at 572 Mayfield Avenue:
      • A cover sheet that includes:
        • Name
        • Address(es) (campus, summer, and/or permanent)
        • Phone number
        • Declared or prospective major
        • Names of reference writers
        • Waiver granting permission to share your official transcript with the campus selection committee and the Mellon Foundation
      • Three letters of recommendation including at least two written by faculty familiar with your work
      • One-page personal essay relating your academic and career goals to the legacy of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays.
        • This essay should describe other activities that demonstrate your ability to take responsibility, work, independently, and show initiative or perseverance.
        • Dr. Mays' biography and bibliographic references may be found at http://mmuf.stanford.edu
      • Two to three-page essay on one of the following topics:
        • Your academic interests, the area you plan to study in depth, and why
        • An academic experience that has motivated you toward advanced study
        • A situation in which you felt like a scholar: What intellectual experience or scholarly discovery inspired you?
      • A personal interview will be required

     

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    Pickering Foreign Affairs Undergraduate Fellowship Program - The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation

    For sophomores in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy.  The goal of this scholarship is to attract outstanding students from all ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the US Department of State.

    • Award: The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation offers two different awards. The first is for undergraduates and the second is for graduate or professional schooling in the following fields:
      • International Affairs
      • Political and Economic Analysis
      • Administration
      • Management
      • Science Policy or Related Fields
    • The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Undergraduate Fellowship Program offers the following:
      • Funding to sophomores for junior and senior years, plus the first year of graduate studies, including tuition and other fees, in addition, it offers a living stipend, reimbursement for books, and one round-trip travel between home and school
      • Financial support from participating schools for the second year of graduate study, based on need
      • Stipends to fund participation in one domestic and one overseas internship within the US Department of State
      • Mentoring from a Foreign Service Officer during the graduate degree segment of the program
    • Note:  Successful candidates must attend a summer institute between the junior and senior years of college and complete specified coursework by graduation.  The successful candidate is also obligated to a minimum of four and one-half years of service in an appointment as a Foreign Service Officer.
    • Eligibility
      • US citizens only
      • Sophomores only
      • A cumulative GPA of 3.2 (or higher) on a 4.0 scale at the time of application
      • Maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 3.2 (or higher) on a 4.0 scale throughout participation in the program
      • Community, academic, other extracurricular, and leadership activities will be considered during the selection process
      • Medical and security clearances required for program participation, Fellows must meet Department of State entry requirements for Foreign Service Officers
    • Read the detailed instructions available at the The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Website
    • Consult with UAR advisors regarding the content of your application, selection of recommenders, and preparation for an interview

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    Stanford Undergraduate STEM Fellows Program

    With funding from the Office of the Provost, the Stanford Undergraduate STEM Fellows Program provides support to students who will promote the diversity (broadly defined) of the future professoriate.  The program is designed to address the educational consequences of gender, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in higher education, and will seek to increase the number of PhDs earned by under-represented groups in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.

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    The Truman Scholarship

    For graduate or professional study, leadership training, and fellowship with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service, the Truman Scholarship seeks juniors with exceptional leadership potential committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education, or elsewhere in the public service. More information regarding the Truman Scholarship.

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    Morris K. Udall Scholarship

    For sophomores and juniors who intend to become leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. The Foundation also seeks future Native American and Alaska Native leaders in public and community health care, tribal government, and public policy affecting Native American communities, including land and resource management, economic development, and education. More information regarding the Morris K. Udall Scholarship.

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    The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics

    For juniors and seniors who wish to analyze the urgent and complex ethical problems that confront them in today's world.

    • Elie Wiesel Foundation Website 
    • Award: First prize $5,000; second prize $2,500; third prize $1,000; two honorable mentions $500 each
    • Eligibility
      • Full-time juniors or seniors enrolled at accredited four-year colleges or universities in the US and Canada
    • Read the detailed instructions and obtain entry form at the Elie Wiesel Foundation Website
    • Work with your faculty mentors to prepare the essay 
    • Obtain a letter on Stanford stationary from Office of the Registrar verifying eligibility
    • Submit application materials directly to Elie Wiesel Foundation

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