National Scholarships & Fellowships
Have you ever considered a career in public service, going into scientific research, teaching English overseas, or attending a prestigious graduate school? If so, you should consider applying for major national scholarship or fellowship competitions. Start planning early and use these resources to help you on your journey.
Founded in 1975 as a living memorial to our thirty-third President, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation provides up to $30,000 for the graduate education and professional development of outstanding young people committed to public service leadership. Students apply in their third undergraduate year and should have an outstanding record of public service activities and leadership. The Foundation is bipartisan and defines public service broadly as working for the common good. Students in a wide variety of academic fields are encouraged to apply.
The Truman Scholarship does not accept direct applications; students must be nominated by UM-Dearborn’s Scholarship Committee (see “Institutional Endorsement” below).
Deadlines:
- Completion of Interest Form: December 1
- Submission of Full Application and Letters of Recommendation: January 2
- National Deadline: First Monday of February
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor the former Arizona Senator. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide support for highly qualified STEM students who plan to pursue a PhD and research career in these fields. The scholarship provides $7500 in support for the junior and/or senior year of undergraduate study. (Students apply in sophomore or junior year.) Goldwater Scholars usually go on to top PhD programs and are highly competitive for graduate funding such as NSF Graduate Research Fellowships. The scholarship is for students planning research careers. Students planning to pursue an MD only and conduct clinical research are not eligible, but those planning to pursue an MD-PhD and career in biomedical science research are eligible.
The Goldwater Scholarship does not accept direct applications; students must be nominated by UM-Dearborn’s Scholarship Committee (see “Institutional Endorsement” below).
Deadlines:
- Completion of Interest Form: December 1
- Submission of Full Application and Letters of Recommendation: January 2
- National Deadline: Last Friday of January
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs. A candidate will submit a Statement of Grant Purpose defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S.
Applicants for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program include:
- Recent graduates and graduating seniors: Graduating seniors and recent bachelor’s-degree recipients have some undergraduate preparation and/or direct work or internship experience related to the project.
- Master's and doctoral candidates: Graduate-level candidates must demonstrate the capacity for independent study or research, together with a general knowledge of the history, culture, and current events of the countries to which they are applying.
- Young professionals: This includes writers, creative and performing artists, journalists, and those in law, business, and other professional fields. Competitive candidates who have up to 5 years of professional study and/or experience in the field in which they are applying will be considered. Those with more than 5 years of experience should apply to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.
Competitive applicants to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program will not have recent extensive experience abroad (excluding recent undergraduate study abroad), especially in the country of application.
Institutional endorsement is not required but is strongly recommended (see “Institutional Endorsement” below).
Deadlines:
- Completion of Interest Form: August 1
- Submission of Full Application and Letters of Recommendation: August 31
- National Deadline: Early October
The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor’s Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships has more in depth information on additional opportunities. (Please note that internal U-M scholarships listed there might not be open to UM-Dearborn students.)
Please complete the Interest Form to indicate your interest in a national scholarship or fellowship and to set up a meeting with an advisor if desired. This form is required for students hoping for an institutional endorsement (see “Institutional Endorsement” at the bottom of the page).
Institutional Endorsement
Several national scholarships and fellowships require institutional endorsement. Students who would like to request an institutional endorsement need to complete this Interest Form. Submitted forms will be reviewed by a UM-Dearborn National Scholarship Selection Committee. A select group of applicants will be accepted to receive institutional endorsement as well as personalized application coaching.