GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Listed below you will find many study abroad grant and scholarship opportunities.  Please be aware that you need to verify, with the Davidson College Study Abroad Office, that the program you choose is one for which you will receive Davidson transfer credit.

Davidson College Grant Opportunities 

George L. Abernethy Endowment Funds are available to support worthy initiatives by current first-year, sophomore, or junior students. (It is possible to fund a senior who expects to complete all research work prior to graduation.)

There are three categories of individual awards: 1) Independent student research, either in the U.S. or abroad. 2) Cross-cultural study opportunities for students during the academic year or the summer. 3) Collaborative research by students and faculty. The student must have a clearly defined independent role in the research. Applications are limited to projects that fall within the humanities and social sciences.

Application forms are available in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (Chambers 1283) around the end of September. Completed application forms are due around mid-November. The announcement of awards occurs around mid-January. This grant is available to Davidson College students only.

Dean Rusk Travel Grants are awarded twice a year to Davidson students. Independent projects and group projects that have a high degree of cultural interaction are preferred. These grants are available to Davidson College students only.

Study Abroad Scholarship Databases

FastWeb is the nation's largest, most accurate, and most frequently updated scholarship database online.    

IIE Passport Study Abroad Funding - This valuable funding resource allows you to search by country or subject to find the study abroad funding information that you need. There is a comprehensive database of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, and grants.  

University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center has created a site dedicated to helping students fund their trips abroad. The site, created specifically for non-University of Minnesota students, has links to hundreds of various scholarship programs.

Non-Davidson Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities

Arcadia University: Center for Education Abroad - Arcadia makes hundreds of need-based scholarships available every year to participants of their programs. Scholarships range from $500 to $2000 for a full year, or fall or spring semesters. Applications are available online.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program - This program provides scholarships up to $5,000 for students of limited financial means to pursue study abroad programs for up to one year. A student must be a U.S. undergraduate, in good academic standing, and receiving a Federal Pell Grant.

Boston University Financial Aid - Boston University offers some scholarships, ranging from $300-$3000, to non-Boston University students. Scholarships are offered for specific programs. Applications and information are available online.

Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan - The Association of Teachers of Japanese (ATJ) administers the Bridging Scholarship program, which awards 50 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $4,000 to American students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan either for the semester or full year.

British Council US - The British Council USA actively promotes UK education and training through their online office in Washington DC. The United Kingdom Scholarships are designed specifically for U.S. students wishing to study in the UK. They have varying requirements and are offered at many different universities throughout the UK.

CIEE - Council on International Educational Exchange Scholarships - Each year, Council awards scholarships to students who plan to study overseas. Council offers the following types of scholarships: 1. John E. Bowman Travel Grants providing assistance to students participating in educational programs in non-traditional destinations. This would be in any country EXCEPT Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and the following European countries and principalities: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. 2. Robert B. Bailey III Scholarship - The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, self-identified as belonging to an under-represented group (especially ethnic minority students), and applying to a Council Study Center program or University Direct Enrollment Service institution. Awards are usually made in the amount of $500. 3. Council on International Exchange (CIEE) Scholarships - In an effort to make study abroad opportunities available to the widest possible audience, CIEE offers scholarships each year to students who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. 4. Dept. of Education Scholarship for Programs in China - The U.S. Department of Education has awarded CIEE funding under the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program to provide financial assistance to students who are participating in the Chinese language programs offered by the CIEE Centers at Peking University, East China Normal University (Shanghai), Nanjing University, and National Chengchi University (Taipei). 5. Jennifer Ritzmann Scholarship for Study in Tropical Biology - This CIEE scholarship was established, with the consent of her parents, in the memory of Jennifer Ritzmann, a 1998 fall participant in the Tropical Biology Program at Monteverde, Costa Rica, and a junior from Ohio University, whose life was taken in a tragic accident. This $1,000 scholarship is to be awarded each year to a participant on the Monteverde program.

Clinton Scholars Program at the American University in Dubai will provide 10 U.S. students per semester the opportunity to expand their educational and cultural horizons by studying in the Arab world at this respected university.

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange is a full-year scholarship program in Germany.  It is for current students, graduating seniors, and young alumni.  It is designed for students at all levels in a variety of fields, and is especially attractive to graduating seniors.  It is only for U.S. citizens or permanent residents.  No previous study of German is required.  The program is comprised of language training, one semester at a Germany university or professional school and a five-month internship with a German company or oganization. 

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers undergraduate awards to highly qualified undergraduate students for study abroad, university language or summer courses, senior thesis research and/or internships in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Fulbright Program provides grants for Graduate Students, Scholars and Professionals, and Teachers and Administrators from the U.S. and other countries. Grants are made to citizens of participating countries, primarily for: university teaching, advanced research, graduate study, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools.

Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowship is a highly competitive fellowship (3 per year) offered through the College of William and Mary. The fellowship provides an eleven-week summer service opportunity with the U.S. Department of State plus a $5,000 stipend at one of three posts: the U.S. Embassy in Paris, the U.S. Embassy in London or the Office of the Secretary of State in Washington.

Hispanic Scholarship Awards Program - State Farm - The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) selects Hispanic college students to receive State Farm Companies Foundation-sponsored scholarships. Recipients are selected for academic accomplishment and demonstrated leadership skills. For application and selection criteria, contact the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. 

Institute of International Education Grants - The Institute of International Education manages over 250 programs for international study and offers numerous grants and awards for these programs. You should carefully review the IIE website to see if you qualify for one of these programs and scholarships.

Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship Program (IIPP) is a national program that provides students with specially designed education and training experiences critical to entry and advancement in international affairs careers. Students are recruited from across the U.S. and apply as sophomores to participate in a five-year sequence of summer policy institutes, study abroad, intensive language training, internships, and graduate study. Most expenses for the fellowship are covered by IIPP.

Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University offers various scholarships ranging from $500 to $3500, according to what country and university the student applies.

International Education Finance Corporation is dedicated to providing financial aid to any student who wants to study abroad. Both loans and links to other resources are available for students. The application is available online.

Kymanox company, founded in 2004, is focused on facilitating effective and efficient knowledge transfer. In honor of James J. Davis, a $1,000 memorial scholarship has been created for studying abroad.

Macquarie University offers research awards (known as iMURS) for Areas and Centres of Excellence to postgraduate students of high academic achievement and excellent promise.

Massachusetts Residents - An $800 scholarship is available for graduates or undergraduates participating in a 12-credit summer program or a semester or year program. Contact: Jane Howard, Director of International Student Affairs - Mount Ida College 777 Dedham Street Newton Centre, MA 02459. Phone: 617/928-4624; Fax: 617/928-4613; E-mail: janeh@gis.net

Naropa University's Engaged Writer in Prague Scholarships - Two awards of $1,500 are given to especially talented writers who are interculturally minded. Contact: Denise A. Cope, M.A., Co-Director, Office of International Education, Naropa University, 2130 Arapohoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302. Phone: 303-245-4707. E-mail: denise@naropa.edu.

National Security Education Program (NSEP) - awards Boren scholarships to American undergraduates for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests.  Preference is given to applicants who plan to study:  1) in fields of emphasis, as identified by the NSEP; 2) in emphasized geographic areas of the world; and 3) abroad for the entire academic year.  Study of a foreign language appropriate to the identified country must be an intergral part of each proposal.  Scholarships are available for summer programs (minimum 8 week long language immersion).   There is a service obligation to this scholarship.   

Rotary International - The Rotary Foundation’s oldest and best-known program is Ambassadorial Scholarships. Application is through a local Rotary club. Three types of scholarships are offered: Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships, Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships, and Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships.

Simpson Scholarships in Egyptology - The American University in Cairo offers scholarships of $2,500 per semester for study with a concentration in Egyptology to the best academic candidates who have completed at least two years of college. For more information, please contact: Mary Davidson, Senior Student Affairs Officer, The American University in Cairo, at: mdavidson@aucnyo.edu.

School for International Training (SIT) offers a competitive, merit award to undergraduate students with a background and demonstrated interest in Asian Studies. The SIT Asia Fund will cover a portion of the semester program cost, based on student need. Awards generally average half the program fee. Awards are based on academic performance, curricular interest and the ability to carry out independent field study.

SWEA (Swedish Women's Educational Association) North Carolina Scholarship generally offers a $1,000 scholarship to support a person with ties to North Carolina in their studies or their efforts to advance/share knowledge of Swedish culture, traditions, language, or history.  The scholarship is more broadly intended to foster worthwhile exchanges between Sweden and North Carolina.

Syracuse University Financial Assistance - Syracuse University offers a wide range of grants and scholarships, determined both by the level of financial need and the program chosen. Information and links to other scholarships provided online.

Thomas J. Watson Fellowship (students from selected schools only, see listing at the website) - The Foundation provides Fellows an opportunity for a focused and disciplined Wanderjahr of their own devising--time in which to explore with thoroughness a particular interest, test their aspirations and abilities, view their lives and American society in greater perspective and, concomitantly, to develop a more informed sense of international concern. The Fellowship experience is intended to provide Fellows an opportunity to immerse themselves in cultures other than their own for an entire year.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Org.) offers scholarships and fellowships in over 129 different countries in different higher-education academic and professional disciplines.

UNESCO Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship will help fund a proposal designed by the applicant to conduct brief work in a foreign country related to the mandate of UNESCO – using education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and/or communication and information to build strong ties among nations.

 
Programs and scholarship web sites

Black Excel - The College Help Network - A resource for all cultures but geared toward African Americans and minorities. Offers resources dealing with college admissions and scholarships.

GoAbroad.com provides comprehensive international education and alternative travel databases.  Additionally, there is a webpage dedicated specifically to a detailed scholarship search engine.  Just click on the "Scholarships" tab on the top of the page.  

Institute for International Education (IIE) - A major clearinghouse for international programs, including the Fulbright. It also administers programs funded by nonprofits, think tanks, and companies.

International Research and Exchanges (IREX) Board manages programs in former Soviet states, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia and covers a wide range of disciplines.

Michigan State University provides information for Students of Color Studying Abroad: Scholarships for Students of Color.

Last updated September 3, 2008