Dear Honors students,
Happy spring from the Office of External Fellowships (OEF)! Spring is the perfect time to begin planning your application(s) for a bunch of fellowship opportunities whose applications open now and are due in the early fall. Yes, we know it sounds super early to be talking about fall deadlines when you're preparing for spring semester finals, but it's actually right on time. Students who begin a conversation with OEF now will be better prepared to navigate the applications and better able to develop compelling plans.
See below for more information about many fantastic awards with final deadlines in the early fall. Unless the description says otherwise, each opportunity listed below is open to students in any academic discipline, and fund opportunities in the 2020-2021 academic year.
For any of these opportunities, and for best results, interested students and alumni should make initial, exploratory appointments with OEF in April and May. OEF is here to guide you all the way through the process, so please reach out!
Fulbright for 2020-2021
The Fulbright US Student Program application for 2020-2021 opened on April 1, and we had a good turnout for our Fulbright Week at UIC events last week. If you couldn't make it, don't worry; you are still encouraged to make an appointment to learn how you can apply.
The Fulbright grant provides full funding, including airfare, for an academic year abroad in one of 140+ countries to conduct independent study/research or to teach English. To be eligible for this program, you must be a US citizen and have your bachelor's degree in hand before September 2020 -- so current juniors who want to do a Fulbright starting in the fall after they graduate should begin their applications now. (Folks can apply later, as well; you're eligible until you have your PhD in hand.)
It's never too early to start! UIC's campus deadline is September 9! UIC has two Fulbright Program Advisers: Kim Germain in OEF works with undergraduates, undergraduate alumni, and some grad/professional school students who do not fall under the purview of the Graduate College. Benn Williams works with graduate students and alumni of the Graduate College.
You can learn more about the Fulbright US Student Program at their website: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/
UK / Ireland Awards
There are multiple opportunities which provide full funding for graduate study in the United Kingdom or Ireland, and OEF advises on these opportunities collectively. All of these seek a combination of academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement. All have early fall deadlines, and all but one require UIC to nominate you; therefore, it is very important that you get in contact with OEF sooner rather than later in order to begin seeking UIC nomination for these.
The Rhodes Scholarship funds graduate study (or a second bachelor's degree) at the University of Oxford in the UK. There are many jurisdictions aside from the US which have their own Rhodes competitions, and there is a new global competition such that everyone, regardless of citizenship, is eligible to pursue the Rhodes. Deadlines vary, but you must contact OEF soon to declare your interest in seeking UIC's nomination. See Rhodes website for further information.
The Marshall Scholarship funds graduate study in nearly any British university for one or two years. This award is open only to US citizens, and it is required that you be nominated by UIC, so contact OEF as soon as possible about getting nominated. The final deadline is October 1, but OEF works with potential nominees through the summer on things like finding graduate degree programs in the UK that are the best fit for you given your interests and goals. See the Marshall website for more information.
The Churchill Scholarship funds one year of graduate study at the University of Cambridge for students in STEM fields. Students may pursue research-only degrees or a combination of taught courses and research; click here to see eligible programs of study. To be eligible, you must be in your final year of undergraduate study during fall 2019, or have graduated with your bachelor's degree from UIC within the past 12 months; you must also be a US citizen. Contact OEF soon to declare your interest in receiving UIC's nomination for the Churchill. See the Churchill website for more information.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship funds graduate study in the program of your choice at the University of Cambridge in the UK. There is one competition for US citizens and another for citizens of other nations; these have different deadlines. This award does not require UIC nomination, but given the similar competitiveness between this award and the others in this category, OEF strongly recommends getting our advice early. More info at their website.
The Mitchell Scholarship funds one year of graduate study or research at one of the universities in Ireland. Requires nomination by UIC if you are a current student; alumni may apply directly, without nomination. For US citizens. Candidates who seek nomination should be in touch with OEF early. Final deadline: September 27. More info at the Mitchell website.
Knight-Hennessey Scholarship to Standford
Each year, up to 100 high-achieving students from around the world (regardless of citizenship) will receive full funding to pursue any graduate or professional degree at Stanford, as well as joint and dual-degrees. Knight-Hennessy Scholars aims to develop a community of future global leaders to address complex challenges through collaboration and innovation. It is the largest fully endowed scholars program in the world.
Strong students who are planning to apply for graduate or professional study at Stanford should consider applying for the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship too. But note: this means that you must complete the Knight-Hennessy application by their October 9 deadline and your separate Stanford degree program application earlier than is typical. OEF is here to advise applicants.
The new application opens on May 1, and they will host online information sessions beginning in May. More info on their website: https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/.
Schwarzman Scholarship
Modeled on the Rhodes and designed to prepare young leaders to serve as a bridge between China and the rest of the world, the Schwarzman Scholars Program is a global leadership and academic experience which provides full funding for a one-year Master's degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Schwarzman Scholars pursue a Master's in Global Affairs, with a concentration in one of the following areas: public policy, economics and business, or international studies.
It is open to students of all nationalities. No previous study of China or Chinese language is required. For Chinese citizens, there is a very early deadline of May 31. For everyone else, the deadline is September 26, for study beginning in summer 2020.
More info and application here: https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/.
