OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE and
GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS
SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER
OPPORTUNITIES
Campus Fellowship Advisor
Tamara Valentine, Director of Honors Program
[email protected]
Overview
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What makes a candidate stand out?
What are national fellowships?
Who is eligible for a national fellowship?
What does it take to apply for a national
fellowship?
What are examples of the national fellowships?
How do fellowships differ?
If I am eligible for one of these national fellowships
and want to apply, what do I do next?
Office of Undergraduate
& Graduate Fellowships
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Coordinated by the Honors Program
Institutional Representative (NAFA)
Assistance and advice on application process
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Information
Guidance
Review
Screening
Panel of experts and consulting faculty
Submission
External Fellowship Committee
Database: www.unr.edu/honors (External Links)
Faculty Fellowship Committee
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Ann Keniston, English
John Pettey, German
Kevin Stevens, History
Kristi Van Gorder, Liberal Arts
Nancy Markee, Advising Center
Jeanne Wendel, Economics
Margaret Ferrara, Education
Paul Neill, Physics
Vipin Gupta, Physics (Honors Program)
Fellowships and Scholarships
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Fulbright US Student Program
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Gates Cambridge
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Gilman (USAC)
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National Security Education
Program (NSEP)
Boren Scholarship: (USAC)
 Boren Fellowship: Grad
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Phi Kappa Phi
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Rhodes Scholarship
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Goldwater
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Jack Kent Cooke
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Rotary Ambassadorial S.
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James Madison Memorial
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British Marshall
Soros Fellowships for New
Americans
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Harry S. Truman
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US-Ireland Alliance:
George J. Mitchell Scholarship  Morris K. Udall
Applying for National Scholarships
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Nationally competitive
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Merit-based
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National funding: provides full expenses
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Prestigious: carry national recognition and prestige, open
doors, build resumes, ticket to additional funding,
professional networking
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Opportunity for study, travel, research, continue education
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Time and Preparation: successful applicants plan early:
application, proposal, personal statement, letters of
recommendation, transcripts, interview,
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University nomination
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Campus and national deadlines
How Do You Stand Out?
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Academic Work (intellectual
foundation)
Research
Professional Experience
Professional & Personal Contacts
Leadership Potential
Community Service
Entrepreneurship
Teaching Experience
Work Experience
Personal Experience
Travel
Other languages
Alexander (Sasha) Kolosovich
Biology
Research at Lake Baikal, Russia
Student Profile:
What it takes to apply
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Academic merit: high GPA
Specific career goals
Willingness to contribute to a field of study
Passion and commitment
Professional and academic relationships
Public service: unpaid internships, volunteer activities,
school/professional/community activities
Leadership skills
Good interpersonal skills
Communication skills: written and spoken
Compassion
Well-rounded citizen of the nation and the world
Time, preparation, motivation
What is Involved?
Basic components
 Application: online application and hard copies
 Academic Proposal/Statement of Purpose
 what you want to do, why, where, how, and when
 Personal Statement: presents a picture of yourself
 Research Project
 Activities List/Academic Resume: academic, scholarship,
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professional, leadership, service
References: 3-8 references (ongoing relationships)
Transcripts
Evidence of creative works: performances, videos
University Nomination
Interview
Deadlines: campus deadline; national deadline
Fellowship Differences
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Number of awardees
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Purpose: international research & study; postgrad opportunities; public service; undergrad
discipline support
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Eligibility requirements
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Selection criteria
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Award amounts
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Field of study and career objectives
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Language requirements
Fellowship Differences
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Screening process
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University nomination or endorsement
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Deadlines: campus and national
National Fellowships & Scholarships
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*Fulbright
*Rhodes
*British Marshall
*US-Ireland Alliance (Mitchell)
*Gates Cambridge
*Goldwater
*Truman
*Phi Kappa Phi
*Madison
*Udall
Soros Fellowship for New Americans
Jack Kent Cooke
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship
Gilman Int’l Scholarship (USAC)
Boren (USAC)
Campus: Aug
Nat’l: October
Campus: April Nat’l: October
Campus: April Nat’l: October
Campus: Aug
Nat’l: October
Campus: Aug
Nat’l: October
Campus: Nov
Nat’l: February
campus: Nov
Nat’l: February
April 15
Campus: Nov
Nat’l: March 1
Campus: Nov
Nat’l: March 2
November 1
February
Campus: Nov
Nat’l: mid-Jan
Sum/fall: March Spring: Oct
Campus: early Jan Nat’l: Jan 31
Fall Deadlines
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Study, travel, research
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International fellowships
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Apply graduating senior
year
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Must have bachelor’s
degree to accept award
Sarah Hillenbrand
German
ETA Germany
Fulbright Program
for U.S. Students
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U.S. government’s premiere
international scholarship
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“To promote cross-cultural
interaction and foster mutual
understanding through
engagement in the community”
among nations through cultural and
educational exchanges
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150+ nations currently involved
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Research, teaching, study, special
programs
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Must be a U.S. citizen and hold a
bachelor’s degree
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Sufficient fluency in written and
spoken language of host country
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Apply senior
year or with
bachelor’s
degree
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1100 awards granted:
round-trip transportation,
language courses, tuition,
books, research allowance,
and health insurance
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Deadlines:
 Campus: August
 National: October 20s
www.iie.org/fulbright/
Types of Grants Available
Full Grants
 Airfare
 Health insurance
 Monthly maintenance
Over 50 English Teaching
Assistantship opportunities
worldwide
Special Programs
In some cases,
• Business (Australia, Mexico,
 Dependent support
Netherlands, & Spain)
 Tuition
• Critical Language Enhancement
 Language courses
Awards
 Research Allowances
• Fulbright-mtvU Awards
 Health insurance
Travel Grants
(Germany, Hungary, Italy)
Two Types of Fulbright Grants
Research/Study Grant
us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html
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~1,000 awards
8-12 months
Independent research, study, or creative and
performing arts projects abroad
English Teaching Assistantships
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~600 awards
8-12 months
20-30 hours a week helping to teach English and U.S.
culture in the classroom
Remaining time spent on a community-focused project
English Teaching Assistantships
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Asia: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Malaysia,
Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
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Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico,
Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
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Sub-Saharan Africa: Cameroon, South Africa
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North Africa & Near East: Egypt, Jordan, Morocco West Bank
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Europe: Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,
Bosnia/Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France,
Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta,
Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia,
Slovak Republic, Serbia, Spain, Turkey
685 grants available for 2011 (in 2010 3,038 applicants)
Critical Language Enhancement Award
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Provides additional funding for
language study for eligible Fulbright
Grantees who intend to use a
critical language for their project
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Goal to cultivate higher levels of
language proficiency prior to,
during and beyond the regular
Fulbright grant period
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Application for CLEA is made in
conjunction with the Fulbright
Program application
Alexandra Lutz
Engineering
“Water Resource Sustainability
of Malian Community Wells”
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Student earns master’s
degree (2-yr) at Oxford
University; any area of
study
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Be a U.S. citizen, between
18-24 years, and have a
GPA of at least a 3.9
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Pays tuition and fees ,
stipend, travel
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Apply: Senior year (start
app in sophomore year)
University nomination
Interview
Deadlines:
 Campus: April
 National: Oct
~ $50,000/yr
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32 awards given (900 ap)
www.rhodesscholar.org
Rhodes House at Oxford
Bill Clinton, Rhodes Scholar 1968
Cambridge
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Students attend the
University of Cambridge (1-4
yrs)
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Need bachelor’s degree
and to be admitted to
Cambridge and a
constituent college in any
field
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Research distinction as
undergraduate
“Create a network of future
leaders”
 Covers University fees, a
maintenance allowance,
and roundtrip airfare
 Need to show sustained
academic achievement
 40-60 awarded to U.S.
 Deadline: Nov. 1
 225 awards given
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www.gates.scholarships.cam.ac.uk
University College, Dublin
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Students attend any of 89
universities in U.K. for
one-two years of study
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Be a U.S. citizen, have at
least a 3.7 GPA, and a
degree from a 4-year
college or university
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University nomination
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Up to 33 awards given
(1,000 apps)
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Award ($42,000) includes a
personal allowance for:
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cost of living
arrival allowance
tuition, fees, books
daily expenses
approved travel
thesis preparation
and fares to and from the U.S.
Deadlines
 Campus: April
 National: October
www.marshallscholarship.org
UNR Names 2012 Marshall
• Reno native Max Alderman graduated Summa Cum
Laude UNR with a B.A. in Philosophy and
Political Science. Max was a Thompson, National
Merit, and Carrie Layman Scholar while at UNR.
• At Warwick University, he will pursue an Masters in
philosophy.
• Max’s Honor's thesis focused on 20th Century
continental philosophy and compared the early
ontology of Jean-Paul Sartre to Emmanuel Levinas'
metaphysics.
• Max is a two-time national champion of collegiate
parliamentary debate, as well as the 2011 Debate
All-American and a US Department of State
Critical Language Scholar. Outside the classroom,
he enjoys art, theater, LGBTQ activism, and eating
massive amounts of cookies.
Study in Ireland?
Trinity College, Dublin
For one year of graduate
 Demonstrate intellectual
study at one of the nine Irish
distinction, leadership,
Universities in Ireland (7) or
extracurricular activity, &
Northern Ireland (2)
personal integrity
 Awards $12,000 stipend,
 12 awards given in any
tuition, board, and travel
discipline offered at
expenses
institutions in Ireland and
Northern Ireland (250 apps)  Apply directly to the UsIreland Alliance
 Apply: Senior year
 Deadlines:
 18-30 years old
 Campus: August
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3.7 GPA or better
 National: October 10
www.us-irelandalliance.org/scholarships.html
Spring Deadlines
Scholarships for
tuition, fees, books,
and undergraduate
study
 Full-time sophomores
and juniors
 Committed to particular
disciplines and career
goals
 Record of public
service
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Anna Koster, Chemistry & Music
2011 Goldwater Scholar Honorable Mention
2009 Phi Kappa Phi Emerging Scholar
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Apply as sophomores or
juniors pursuing careers in
mathematics, natural
sciences, or engineering for
following year
Need at least a “B” average
and be in top 25% of your
class (winners: 3.9)
U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or
resident alien
Graduate school in math,
natural sciences, or
engineering
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Covers tuition, fees, books,
room and board up to $7,500
annually
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Deadlines
 Campus: November
 National: Feb 1
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Candidates must be
nominated by their college or
university
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300 awards given
www.act.org/goldwater/
Nevada’s 2011
Goldwater Scholars
Rachel Miller and Muir Morrison, both physics majors
and members of the Honors Program at UNR, were
the only students in the state of Nevada to earn the
Goldwater Scholarship in 2011.
Nevada’s 2009 and 2010
Goldwater Scholar
Matt Polasko, as a biochemistry sophomore and
Honors student, was one of only 278 Goldwater
Scholars for the 2009-2011 school years and the sole
recipient of this award in the state of Nevada.
 Junior
(pre-teachers)
and Senior (current
teachers) Fellowships
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Must teach for one year
for each year the
fellowship was received
(above subjects to
grades 7-12)
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53 awards given, one to
each state
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Maximum award
$24,000 two years
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Deadlines
○ Campus: November
○ National: March 1
 For
MA, MAT, or MEd
degrees
 Be
a U.S. citizen or
national
 Plan
on becoming a
teacher of American
history, American
government, or social
studies at the
secondary level
www.jamesmadison.com
Harry S. Truman
Scholarship
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To attend graduate school for
careers in government, the
non-profit and advocacy
sectors, education, and other
public service
Aspire to become “change
agents” in U.S. or international
public policy
U.S. citizen
Upper quarter of class
(winners: 3.8)
Write a policy statement
Apply junior for senior year
70-75 awards given
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Have record of public and
community service
Outstanding leadership potential
and communication skills
Required to work in public
service for 3-7 years
$30,000 to apply to grad school
in public service areas
At least one per state
Deadlines
 Campus: November
 National: Feb 7
www.truman.gov
Nevada’s 2011
Truman Scholar
First-generation student Judie Henderson, a member of the
Honors Program, was one of only 60 students across the
U.S. to receive a $30,000 Harry S. Truman Scholarship. She
plans to attend Monterey Institute of International Studies.
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Sophomores and Juniors
Environmental fields:
Policy, science, engineering,
education, urban planning and
renewal, business, health,
justice, econ
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Native American or Alaska
Native leaders in fields
related to healthcare or
tribal policy
Must be nominated by the
university (up to 6)
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Have a “B” average
(winners: 3.7)
Awards up to $5,000 or the
cost of tuition, fees, books,
room and board for 1 year
Deadlines
 Campus: November
 National: March 3
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80 awards given
www.udall.gov
Other Nationally-Competitive
Fellowships and
Scholarships
Undergraduate
Study Abroad Grant
Graduate fellowship
competition
 3 @ $15,000; 57 @ $5000;
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and 40 @ $2,000
Support first-year grad or
professional study
Deadlines:
○ Submit to chapter PKP
by April 1
Active member of PKP
Apply online; submit to
UNR chapter
Chapter nomination
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38 - $1000 awards
Open to all fields
Cum GPA 3.5
56-90 hours before Feb 15
Accredited study between
May 1 and June 30
 After study abroad, return to
UNR for two semesters
 Apply online; submit to PKP
by April 15
 Non-PKP can apply
Love of Learning Award
 140 - $500 awards
 To fund post-baccalaureate graduate studies and/or
career development: dissertations, continuing
education, travel for professional studies
 Apply online
 Deadline: June 30
 Active PKP member
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Must be a member of
the Golden Key
National Honor Society
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Offers a wide variety of
scholarships ranging
from art to leadership
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Must be a Junior or a
Senior to be inducted
and be in the top 15% of
undergraduate students
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Faculty sponsor:
Marsha Urban
[email protected]
http://goldenkey.gsu.edu
David L. Boren
Undergraduate
Scholarship
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For language study in world
regions critical to U.S.
interests: Africa, Asia, Central
and Eastern Europe, Latin
America, the Caribbean, and
the Middle East
Undergraduates major in a
most fields
Award: Up to $8,000/summer,
$10,000/semester and
$20,000/year
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Pre-arranged programs
administered by a U.S.
institution, an overseas
institution, or a third-party
provider
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Has a federal employment
requirement equal to the
length of scholarship support.
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Service Requirement:
Recipients may seek work in
the Departments of Defense,
Homeland Security, State or
the Intelligence Community.
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Campus Advisor: USAC office
www.borenawards.org
Boren Scholar
Sarah Swatzburg
History
Boren – China
David L. Boren
Graduate
Fellowship
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For study, research, and
internships in Africa, Asia,
Central and Eastern
Europe, Latin America, the
Caribbean, and the Middle
East
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Degree-seeking graduate
students design their own
programs. Study of a
foreign language integral.
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Award
 $12,000/semester
 $24,000/year
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Has a federal employment
requirement equal to the
length of scholarship
support.
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Service requirement:
Recipients may seek work
in the Departments of
Defense, Homeland
Security, State or the
Intelligence Community.
www.borenawards.org
The Paul & Daisy Soros
Fellowships for New Americans
 Status
as a “new American”:
• green card
• naturalized citizen
• Or naturalized citizen parents
 Show
evidence of at least
two of the following criteria
for selection:
• creativity, originality, and
 For
graduate study in the U.S.
initiative
 Any academic discipline
• capacity for
accomplishment, activities
 Senior or no more than 2 years
that required drive and
into grad program, not older
sustained effort
than 30 years
• commitment to the values of
 30 two-year fellowships given
the US Constitution & the
 Award: $25,000 grant plus
Bill of Rights.
half-tuition of graduate program • November 1 deadline
www.pdsoros.org
Preparing for a
Prestigious Scholarship
Start looking for a good fit
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Resources on campus to look for scholarships and
opportunities
 Office of Undergraduate and Graduate Fellowships
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http://www.honors.unr.edu
Honors Program postings http:// www.honors.unr.edu
Graduate School
Honorary Societies: Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key
USAC: Boren, Gilman
Other resources
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Search engines on the web
Knowledge Center
Community groups (Rotary clubs)
Other university scholarship/fellowship websites
University departments and faculty
Consult Fellowship Website
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Explore the foundation website
Review the mission and purpose of each
Review eligibility requirements
Review selection criteria
Review past winners and other websites
Review guidelines
Review deadlines
Download application
Make appointment with fellowship advisor
Gather application materials and supporting
documentation: transcripts, letters, references,
language reports
Questions?
Academic Record
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Maintain a high GPA, especially in core courses
and major. Most prestigious scholarship
foundations look for GPAs of 3.9 or higher.
Take challenging classes
 Honors classes: advanced, accelerated, challenging
 Double major
 Classes outside your major
 Foreign language courses
 Independent-study, special topics, and research
projects
 Presentations/conferences/posters
Involve Yourself
in your Discipline
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Research activities
 (Honors) Senior thesis or undergraduate
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research
 Individual or team research
 Public showing, presentation, poster
 Conferences, faculty presentations, lecturers
Honorary and academic societies in discipline,
student-run organizations, professional
organizations
Internships
International experience
Networking:
Professional, Academic, Social
Be a good student
 Develop relationships with faculty members
 Seek opportunities to work with faculty
 Attend professional meetings and faculty
lectures
 Offer your talents/skills
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Community Service
Service-learning integrated in college
classes
 Volunteerism on and off campus
 International Service
 Initiate a service project
 Commitment over time: logged in hours
 Nevada Volunteers
www.nevadavolunteers.org
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Stay Competitive: Take Risks
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Competitive spirit
 Enter student contests, awards, prizes
 Apply for competitive scholarships
 Get involved in sports or other extracurricular
activities
 Get involved in student governance

National and world citizenship
 Initiate a community/national/international project
 Keep current: read the New York Times, US News &
World Report, National Review, The Nation
 Attend cultural events
 Travel
Communication Skills

Read, Write, Speak often
 Publications, school
newspaper, tv, or radio
 Presentations, panel
discussions, or poster
sessions (practice
speaking in front of
groups)
 Writing essay contests
 Communication/speech
classes
Anna Koster, Chemistry & Music
2011 Goldwater Scholar Honorable Mention
2009 Phi Kappa Phi Emerging Scholar
Application Tips
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Start the application process early, especially for
scholarships like the Rhodes and British Marshall. You are
in competition with students who have been planning this for
years.
Apps are often due one year in advance of the start of the
grant period. Campus deadlines are 2-6 months in advance.
 Gather application materials
 Start writing
 Contact references
Give yourself enough time when writing proposals or
personal statements to revise several times
Contact your references early; provide your resume and
portfolio, information on the fellowship, and dates.
Submit complete application. Proofread.
Fulbrighters
Kalani Michell- Fulbright, 2007-2008
English teaching assistantship, Germany
Alexander (Sasha)
Kolosovich- Fulbright,
research at Lake Baikal,
Russia, 2007-2008
Fulbrighters
Gwynne Middleton,Fulbright, 2007-08
English teaching assistantship, Malaysia
Megan Meschery- Fulbright,
Research in Sierra Nevada
mountains, Spain, 2007-08
Good luck
Colin Ferrari,
Fulbright- Germany,
2006
Deanne Leonard, 2007
Phi Kappa Phi,
Graduate Award of
Excellence AND PKP
Study Abroad,
Puebla Mexico 2006
Good luck
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Hildebrand,
Fulbright- Germany,
2005
Sarah Swatzburg,
NSEP- China, 2006
Good luck
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
Mike Berberoglu,
Phi Kappa PhiGraduate Award,
2006
Ryan Abeloe,
Fulbright- Bulgaria,
2006
Good luck

Alexandra Lutz
Fulbright- Mali, 2005

Fulbright- France,
2006
Good luck

Ankur Shukla,
Marshall, 2003

Rhodes, 2005
Defining the Personal Essay?
How do you stand out?
A personal statement is:
 A picture of who you
are as a person
 An invitation to the
reader to know you
 An indication of your
priorities and
judgment
 Your story of creative,
meaningful selfreflection
 Length: 500-800
words
Generating Detail
 Articulate a personal
or professional
inspiration
 Discuss academic
background or
research skills
 Establish long-term
objectives
 Relate to specifics
about the target
program
Recommendation Letters
Seek letters from people who know you and can
speak knowledgeably about your talents and
abilities.
 Get to know professors, advisors, administrators,
and other employees and forge good relationships
with them.
 Initiate contact by going to their offices with
questions or comments.
 Work with professors on research projects.
 Look for opportunities for career and scholarship
networking, mentoring relationships, and potential
letter writers.

Practice
Do your homework: apply for scholarships,
fellowships, and awards that fit your record and
future goals
 Attend campus events and workshops: Prof’l and
Grad School Planning; USAC; Fellowship
meetings; writing workshops
 Apply for large and small scholarships. Get used
to the application process.
 Ask several faculty members to proofread your
research proposal or essays.
 Revise, revise, revise.
 Participate in mock interviews. Many scholarships
require several interviews.
