Opportunities
Graduate Students
We work with several opportunities that are geared toward graduate students. These can include research opportunities, language study, and professional development. Check them out below!
Boren Scholarships and Fellowships are unique funding opportunities for students (undergraduate and graduate) to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. national security interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholarships are for undergraduate students and Fellowships are for graduate students. Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government in the field of national security for at least one year after graduation.
Eligibility: US Citizen; undergraduate or graduate student; semester or academic year-long language program (or 8+ weeks for STEM majors). You must remain matriculated at USF during the duration of your program.
When is the national deadline? Late January – for study programs the following summer, fall, and spring semesters
When should you come see us? Early October
What is the application timeline? Students will begin working on first drafts of application essays three to five months before the national deadline (after our initial appointment). Students often move at their own pace in the drafting process, getting through as many drafts as they feel comfortable within the time period. We will review essays up until mid-December to allow time for the required campus evaluation process. Applicants submit the names of two to three recommendation letter writers in early October when they declare their intent to apply, and drafts of the letters will be due for feedback in early December.
ONS Contact: nationalscholarships@usf.edu
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a fully-funded summer overseas intensive language program and structured cultural enrichment experience designed to promote rapid language gains. CLS is part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security.
Eligibility: US Citizen, enrolled in degree-seeking program (undergraduate or graduate) at time of application, some languages require previous study
When is the national deadline? Late November
When should you come see us? Introductory appointments for CLS typically begin in August, September, or October. Students will also need to be in communication with recommendation letter writers early in the fall semester.
What is the application timeline? Students work at their own pace on essays between October and mid-November. Students submit the names of two recommendation letter writers in early October when they declare their intent to apply, and drafts of the letters will be due for feedback in early November. We try to have all application materials finalized before Thanksgiving break.
ONS Contact: nationalscholarships@usf.edu
The Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program was created from the belief that the best way to ensure Florida's greatness is to actively educate and cultivate its future leaders. During a nine-month tenure in Tallahassee, this non-partisan program provides Fellows with advanced on-the-job training as well as an invaluable front-line view of the inner workings of government.
Eligibility: This program is open to full-time undergraduate (juniors and seniors) and graduate students statewide. In order to maintain full-time status, students take courses at Florida State University, online courses, or fulfill internship and directed independent study requirements.
When is the national deadline? Application deadline is early January.
When should you come see us? Students who are interested in applying, or planning to apply for the FL Gubernatorial Fellows Program should schedule an appointment with Ms. Lauren Chambers in the fall semester (before the national deadline).
What is the application timeline? Students will work on their application materials during the fall semester before the national deadline. Since the application deadline is in early January, students will need to have completed their application before the University closes for winter break in late December.
ONS Contact: Ms. Lauren Chambers, lschumac@honors.usf.edu
Fulbright is the premier exchange program for U.S. students. Three types of grants are offered – independent research, graduate study (one-year master's degree) or English teaching – in over 140 countries. Applicants choose one grant type, and one country to apply to. Students apply for Fulbright a year ahead of going abroad –either as a graduating senior, alumni, young professional, or graduate (Master's or PhD) student. For more information regarding the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, application procedures and deadlines, please contact USF Fulbright Program Advisor (FPA) Ms. Lauren Chambers and visit our detailed Fulbright Student Program page.
Eligibility: Applicants must be citizens or nationals of the United States of America at the time of application. Permanent residents are not eligible. They must have a conferred bachelor's degree or equivalent before the start of the grant. Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in the written and spoken language of the host country sufficient to communicate with the people and to carry out the proposed study/research.
When is the national deadline? Applications are due to Fulbright in early October.
When should you come see us? Students apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program a year ahead of going abroad with their Fulbright. Ms. Chambers meets with students year-round regarding their interest in applying for a Fulbright, but depending on your application year, you must meet with her regarding your application by March/April of that application year, as the intent to apply for Fulbright is May.
What is the application timeline? Students who plan to apply for a Fulbright in the fall, should begin working on their application and meeting with Ms. Chambers the spring semester before the campus deadline. Students declare their intent to apply for their Fulbright in May, and typically spend six to nine months working on their Fulbright application.
Once a student declares their intent to apply in May, they will spend May-August working on their application materials (writing the materials, gathering the application materials, etc). The campus deadline for submission of application materials (for the campus review) is August.
ONS Contact: Ms. Lauren Chambers, lschumac@honors.usf.edu
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. Social Sciences such as Anthropology, quantitative sociology, computational social sciences and psychology are also eligible areas of application.
Eligibility: Graduating Seniors, and first- and second-year graduate students are eligible. A candidate already possessing a master’s degree and immediately moving into a PhD program is not eligible per NSF guidelines. For candidates already with a master’s degree, they must have a gap in their education exceeding at least 12 months prior to continuing education to a terminal degree. Extensive past undergraduate research experience and some leadership in allied areas is required. Applicants will be judged on their intellectual merit (novelty of research, potential to advance knowledge in their fields) of proposed research as well as broader impacts as evidenced by potential of graduate research and activities in graduate school to advance societal outcomes. Societal outcomes include but are not limited to enhancing participation of underrepresented groups and women in STEM, contributing to climate science, renewable energy, or cutting-edge research contributing to advances which help the lives of others. Please read program solicitation published each year on the NSF GRF website https://www.nsfgrfp.org . Clinical research is not eligible, and candidates in clinical career pathways should look at NIH fellowships instead.
When is the national deadline? Depends on the specific discipline, but all deadlines are in the last week of October. Please consult NSF GRF website (see below) for deadlines for each year.
When should you come see us? The NSF GRF preparation and guidance is a collaboration between the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) and ONS. First workshops will be held every year in May. Your attendance at the May workshop is recommended.
-Campus intent to apply deadline: June 15th
What is the application timeline? May through October of the year of application. There are 3 phases to the application, beginning with intent and identification of a research area, preparation of personal statement and working with NSF-GRF guidance sheets June through August, Campus Review of completed application late August and refining and revision September through October.
ONS Contact: Dr. Sayandeb Basu, sayandeb@honors.usf.edu
OGS contact: Dr. Tracy Costello, tcostello111@usf.edu