An Introduction to Fellowships

What are Fellowships? 

Fellowships are important opportunities to get money to do something you want, and they also make you a stronger candidate for additional education, jobs, and other opportunities.  They are an investment in you!

Fellowships can include money, recognition, opportunities, and support, and act as gateways to other opportunities and provide access to networks that will allow you to continue to pursue your goals and aspirations.

  • All fellowships include at least one of these elements (money) and many include all of them. 
  • Some of them are called ‘scholarships,’ but are classified as fellowships because the award recognizes the person first, and the funding for study is a recognition of how well the person fulfills the criteria for selection. The fellowships that are called scholarships usually include very generous funding.
  • Some fellowships are open to US citizens only; others are open to permanent residents and DACA recipients; some are open to international students, as well. 
  • Some fellowships are targeted for those with GPAs above a certain number; some fellowships are open more broadly or consider GPA only in relationship to other factors (such as the graduate program you want to apply to, or whether you have done well in the courses relevant to your future goals).
  • Carleton students can apply for Carleton-funded opportunities (for Carls only) and for national/international opportunities (open to students from other colleges and universities)

ALL fellowships are open to first-generation students!

ALL fellowships are interested in supporting first-generation students! 

ALL Carleton-funded fellowships are great opportunities for first-generation students to learn how to apply for fellowships and fund projects during Summer or Winter Break!

SOME national and international fellowships highlight their interest in supporting first-generation students.  You can find out about those below!

Check out ALL the fellowships available to you by browsing Carleton-funded opportunities and National/International opportunities at Carleton’s Office of Student Fellowships website.

Fellowships for All Class Years

Fellowships for All Class Years:

Fellowships for First-year Students

Fellowships for First-year Students:

  • Fulbright UK Summer Institutes allow first-year and sophomore students to study in the UK for a fully funded three, four, five or six week academic and cultural summer program.
  • National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarships support first-year, sophomore, and junior students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research, for one to four years. The funding is up to $20,000 per year.

Fellowships for Sophomore Students

Fellowships for Sophomore Students:

  • Fulbright UK Summer Institutes allow first-year and sophomore students to study in the UK for a fully funded three, four, five or six week academic and cultural summer program.
  • National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarships support first-year, sophomore, and junior students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research, for one to four years. The funding is up to $20,000 per year.
  • The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program provides students with knowledge of current issues and trends, as well as career opportunities, in international affairs, and enhances their skills to pursue such careers, through a fully funded summer experience. 
  • Udall Scholarships are for sophomores or juniors with an interest in environmental issues or Native American health care/tribal public policy; scholarships of $7,000 each.

Fellowships for Juniors

Fellowships for Juniors:

  • Beinecke Scholarships are for juniors who have received need-based financial aid during college; funding of $34,000 total for graduate study in the humanities and social sciences; institution of your choice.
  • Goldwater Scholarships support sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue graduate degrees and research-based careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. The scholarship is $7,500 per year.
  • The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program provides students with knowledge of current issues and trends, as well as career opportunities, in international affairs, and enhances their skills to pursue such careers, through a fully funded summer experience. 
  • National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarships support first-year, sophomore, and junior students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research, for one to four years. The funding is up to $20,000 per year.
  • Truman Scholarships are for juniors with a strong interest in a career in public service (broadly defined) and a record of engagement and leadership; $30,000 toward graduate study.
  • Udall Scholarships are for sophomores or juniors with an interest in environmental issues or Native American health care/tribal public policy; scholarships of $7,000 each.

Fellowships for Seniors and Alumni

Fellowships for Seniors and Alumni:

  • Fulbright US Student Program Awards are for graduate study, independent research, or English teaching abroad (types of awards available dependent on country); the majority of awards are for a single year of fully-funded participation in the activity.
  • Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program supports graduate study at Stanford in any field, with two years of full funding and participation in a highly selective cohort of scholar-leaders.
  • Marshall Scholarships are for fully funded graduate study at any institution in the UK (open for one-year application, but preference for two); recognizes academic excellence, leadership, and ambassadorial potential.
  • Mitchell Scholarships are for fully funded graduate study at any institution in Ireland or Northern Ireland (two years of funding) andrecognize academic excellence and civic engagement.
  • Rhodes Scholarships are for fully funded graduate study at Oxford University and recognize extraordinary leadership as well as academic excellence.
  • Rotary Global Grant Fellowships are for graduate study (one-year Masters Degree program) outside of the US in one of Rotary’s six areas of focus; minimum award of $30,000.
  • Schwarzman Scholarships are for a fully funded Masters Degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing (taught in English); three available tracks are public policy, economics and business, and international studies (all include an additional leadership curriculum).
  • Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans fund up to two years of graduate study in the US for ‘New Americans’ (generally, immigrants or the children of immigrants); intended to recognize the contributions immigrants make to American society.

For Seniors ONLY:

  • Watson Fellowships fund a year of global exploration ($36,000 stipend) on a topic you are passionate about; the Watson identifies and develops ‘unusual promise’ in its fellows.