Opportunities
Graduate Study
For students interested in prestigious graduate study scholarships and fellowships, this page can offer several options. Our office does assist students in applying to graduate school alongside these opportunities, but we do not assist in the traditional graduate school search and application process for students not pursing an accompanying award.
The Rangel Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State in which they can help formulate, represent and implement U.S. foreign policy. The Rangel Program selects outstanding Rangel Fellows annually in a highly competitive nationwide process and supports them through two years of graduate study, internships, mentoring, and professional development activities.
Eligibility: US Citizen; undergraduate student, graduate student, or alumni; minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA
When is the national deadline? Early September – for graduate programs beginning the following fall semester
When should you come see us? By the beginning of June
What is the application timeline? Students will begin working on 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 with from June through the national deadline. Applicants submit the names of two recommendation letter writers in early June when they declare their intent to apply, and drafts of the letters will be due for feedback in mid-August.
ONS Contact: nationalscholarships@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 Gates-Cambridge Scholarship Programme was founded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to award scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Applicants from USF must be nominated to apply in spring of their junior year. Students can nominate themselves. A campus interview held every year the weekend of Spring commencement week will select the final candidates who may go forth to the national competition. Please contact ONS for details.
Eligibility: Gates-Cambridge is open to both US citizens, and international students, as well as recent alums. All disciplines, except business are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship excel in academics and leadership. All nominees must have at least a 3.8 GPA to meet admission standards of the University of Cambridge. Leadership activities must have delivered concrete outcomes and not merely comprise named positions in organizations. Strong preference is given to candidates who demonstrate a focus in their leadership and academic activities and have a strong record of having worked with, and/ or fostered collaborations in communities, both within and outside USF. STEM candidates must have past publications. High ambition and concrete goals for academic pursuits are preferred. Candidates must be able to demonstrate why pursuing higher studies at the University of Cambridge will benefit their lives’ work and how that work will help improve the lives of others. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship should not be thought of as simply a means to fund one’s education at the University of Cambridge. Ideal candidates should have extensive experience across the academic, leadership, and community engagement spectrum.
When is the national deadline? The deadline varies by year. However, typically the deadline for US candidates is in early to mid-October and in December and January for all other candidates. Please check Gates Cambridge website at https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/deadlines for year-specific details.
When should you come see us? Pre-applicants who are envisioning applying to the Gates Cambridge Scholarship should set up an appointment with Dr. Sayandeb Basu early in January of the calendar year of application, or earlier the year before for an assessment meeting. However, we strongly encourage extensive and continuing engagement with ONS staff during your journey at USF, as often ONS has played active roles in pipelining students to research and meaningful leadership activities, which in the end play a vital role in the application.
What is the application timeline? A student who has been endorsed to apply for the national competition will begin work in May of the year of the application and engage with Dr. Sayandeb Basu, both for the application to University of Cambridge and to the Gates Trust. Engagement continues till the application deadlines for that year.
ONS Contact: Dr. Sayandeb Basu, sayandeb@honors.usf.edu
Knight-Hennessy Scholars develops a community of future global leaders to address complex challenges through collaboration and innovation. Every year, up to 90 high-achieving students from around the world will receive full funding to pursue any graduate degree at Stanford, including the DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MS, and PhD programs, as well as joint- and dual-degrees. Knight-Hennessy Scholars is the largest fully endowed scholars’ program in the world.
Eligibility: You are eligible to apply to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program if you are applying to enroll in any full-time graduate degree program at Stanford (for example, but not limited to, DMA, Eng, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MS, or PhD) or if you plan on pursuing one of Stanford’s many joint- and dual- graduate degree options (for example, but not limited to, MD+PhD, JD+MA, MBA+MS). Knight-Hennessy Scholars accepts applications from citizens from all countries. If applicant’s have earned a degree at an institution outside the U.S., to be eligible for graduate study, you must hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from a college or university of recognized standing.
When is the national deadline? The deadline to apply for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program is October.
When should you come see us? Students who are planning to apply for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program should schedule an appointment to meet with Ms. Chambers in the spring semester prior to the deadline to discuss their plans for graduate study at Stanford University and fit for the Program.
What is the application timeline? Students will meet with Ms. Chambers in the spring semester and work on their Stanford University and Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program applications during the summer semester. You still need to apply separately to the specific Stanford graduate degree program that you want to pursue. The deadline to submit your graduate degree program application depends on the specific degree program.
ONS Contact: Ms. Lauren Chambers, lschumac@honors.usf.edu
Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom. As future leaders with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments, and their institutions. Applicants from USF must be nominated to apply in spring of their junior year. Nominees are screened and promising candidates are interviewed the year of the application on campus the weekend of Spring commencement. Please contact ONS for details.
Eligibility: Applicants must have at least a GPA of 3.8 to qualify for campus interviews. Candidates are nominated, or self-nominate themselves to participate in the campus competition for selection, in their junior year. Degree must be completed by May of the following year at the latest. Candidates are assessed on academic excellence, leadership and ambassador potential. The latter element refers to choices of academic pursuits and post-scholarship plans which has the potential to contribute to strengthening the relationship between the US and the UK. Leadership activities may be focused in one area or varied, but must have delivered concrete and measurable outcomes. An extensive record of civic engagement is preferred. Candidates from Health Sciences must have a research or public health focus and are eligible to apply to the NIH-Marshall Scholarships to complete a PhD. MD candidates are ineligible as the British Medical Degree is an undergraduate and not a post graduate degree. The Marshall Scholarships should not be thought of as a mere funding source for studies in the UK.
When is the national deadline? Late September
When should you come see us? There is no fixed timeline. Maturing into an ideal candidate for a Marshall Scholar takes the entire duration of a student’s journey at USF. Early engagement with ONS is encouraged, as ONS takes great pride in shaping students’ journeys. These journeys later mature into a competitive edge.
What is the application timeline? Candidates selected at the interviews for nomination work over the summer until the application deadline with Marshall Scholarships Campus Representative, Dr. Sayandeb Basu.
ONS Contact: Dr. Sayandeb Basu, sayandeb@honors.usf.edu
The George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service. Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars are chosen annually for one academic year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland. Applicants from USF must be nominated to apply in spring of their junior year. Nominated candidates are screened and successful applicants are interviewed on campus, to further help choose the endorsees for the Mitchell Scholarships. Please contact ONS for details.
Eligibility: Students will apply as seniors, who will graduate no later than spring of the year following the application. Alums are also eligible to apply provided they are under 29-years-old at the time of the application. Michell Scholars are chosen based on excellence and a proven track record of scholarship, leadership, and a sustained commitment to community and public service. Previous travel or study abroad to the Republic of Ireland is not necessary. The criteria of selection at USF is similar to that of the Marshall, Rhodes, Gates Cambridge Scholarships. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.8 or higher.
When is the national deadline? Late September
When should you come see us? Similar to the criteria for other scholarships which requires an endorsement by USF, candidates for the Mitchell Scholarships should have thought seriously about pursuing higher studies in Ireland and at the time of the pre-applications and nominations, garnered experience in all three frames as outlined above. With that in mind, early engagement is encouraged and would prove vital to being selected for endorsement. Conversations about the Mitchell and subsequent engagement should take place at least 6 months prior to the application deadline.
What is the application timeline? Candidates selected at the interviews for nomination work over the summer until the application deadline with Mitchell Campus Representative, Dr. Sayandeb Basu.
ONS Contact: Dr. Sayandeb Basu, sayandeb@honors.usf.edu
The National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program is an accelerated, individualized doctoral training program for outstanding science students committed to biomedical research careers. This program offers access to mentors and resources from three collaborating institutions: The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge. Applicants from USF must be nominated to apply in spring of their junior year. Please contact ONS for details.
Eligibility: Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. A fairly extensive track record of research as an undergraduate is required. Any area of biomedical research is eligible, including Public Health, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics and Biomedical Engineering. Students should research to find a dual mentorship - one in the UK and one at NIH, and prepare to accordingly. This means during the preparatory phase for the scholarship, students should research mentors and establish contact with both an NIH and a UK mentor prior to the application. Please see https://oxcam.gpp.nih.gov/prospective-students/collaboration-opportunities for a list of mentors and for dual mentoring opportunities. Partnerships have been established with other scholarships—Rhodes, Marshall and Gates Cambridge, to dovetail into funding the 3rd and 4th year of doctoral studies at Cambridge or Oxford. Prior research experience at NIH, like the NIH Amgen program, may be an added qualification.
When is the national deadline? Students will have to submit their applications to University of Cambridge and Oxford and be accepted to their chosen program. Hence the first deadline to meet are those of the individual programs at these universities. Please consult program pages to determine the deadline. All materials to NIH OxCam program are due to the OxCam program by early December.
When should you come see us? At least 6 months prior to applying to University of Cambridge and Oxford, so we have sufficient time in hand to research programs and mentors. However, an ideal recommendation is a year prior to the application.
What is the application timeline? 6 months, beginning early Summer (May).
ONS Contact: Dr. Sayandeb Basu, sayandeb@honors.usf.edu
The Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world. Each year 32 young students from the United States are selected as Rhodes Scholars to read for a degree or degrees at the University of Oxford. Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and the common good, and for their potential for leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead. Applicants from USF must be nominated to apply in spring of their junior year. Nominated students are screened and potential candidates are interviewed the weekend of the week of Spring commencement. Please contact ONS for details.
Eligibility: Rising seniors or alums who at the time of the application are younger than the age of 24 at the time of commencement of studies at Oxford (must be under 23 on October 1 of the year of application). A citizen of the US, lawful permanent resident or having DACA status as of April 15th of the year of application.
Rhodes applicants are primarily assessed on academic excellence and must have a GPA of at least 3.8 per guidelines set by the Rhodes Trust. Although the other requirements for selection for Rhodes are open-ended, ideal candidates are campus or community leaders, having already delivered significant outcomes in their leadership or civic engagement activities at the local, regional or national level or have engaged significantly with a specific contemporary social or socio-political issue. Candidates are also ambitious, and have a vision for their lives and academic pursuits to which pursuing a program at Oxford, they can argue, will play a transformative and pivotal role. The Rhodes scholarships should not be thought of as a funding source for studying at Oxford. International students studying at USF are also eligible to apply. For the complete list of eligible countries please see https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/apply/ .
When is the national deadline? Early October
When should you come see us? There is no set time. A potential candidate for a Rhodes scholarship at USF would have an extensive track record of engagement in academics and leadership, and it is likely would have already engaged with ONS for some time prior to the year of application. Interested candidates are encouraged to engage with ONS as early as freshman year.
What is the application timeline? After selection to be endorsed by USF, a typical Rhodes applicant will engage with ONS to finalize reference letters, and supporting documents May through October. The Rhodes Trust explicitly forbids direct feedback on applicant’s personal statement. However, Dr. Basu will guide applicants with program choice, researching potential academic advisers at Oxford, and other nuances of the applicant’s proposed programs to help guide applicants.
ONS Contact: Dr. Sayandeb Basu, sayandeb@honors.usf.edu
The Truman Scholarship recognizes future "change agents." They have the passion, intellect, and leadership potential that in time should enable them to improve the ways that public entities - be they government agencies, nonprofit organizations, public and private educational institutions, or advocacy organizations - serve the public good. Eligible applicants are university students with junior-level academic standing and who wish to attend professional or graduate school to prepare for careers in government or the nonprofit and advocacy sectors where they will improve the ways these institutions work. Applicants from USF must be nominated to apply in spring of their sophomore year.
Eligibility: US Citizen; rising third year student
When is the national deadline? Early February
When should you come see us? Spring of second year
What is the application timeline? Potential candidates are nominated in the spring of their second year and undergo an extensive internal review process to be endorsed to apply for the Truman Scholarship through USF. The following summer and fall semester, applicants undergo a structured process of drafting application essays, learning about public policy, and other professional development. In early fall, applicants submit the names of three recommendation letter writers and drafts of the letters will be due for feedback in early November.
ONS Contact: Dr. Sayandeb Basu, sayandeb@honors.usf.edu
Schwarzman Scholars is a highly selective, fully-funded one-year master's program at Tsinghua University in Beijing that is designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders for the challenges of the future. Whether in politics, business or science, the success of future leaders around the world will depend upon an understanding of China's role in global trends. Applicants from USF must be nominated to apply in spring prior to the application deadline.
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate seniors, graduate students, and alumni (any degree in progress must be completed by the start of the program); at least 18 but not yet 29 years of age as of August 1 of their Schwarzman Scholars enrollment year; no citizenship or nationality requirements
When is the national deadline? Late September
When should you come see us? Spring prior to the national deadline
What is the application timeline? Potential applicants will undergo an extensive internal review process in the spring semester to be nominated to apply for Schwarzman Scholars through USF. Students will work on drafts of application essays throughout the summer, getting through as many drafts as they feel comfortable from spring through the national deadline. Applicants submit the name of three recommendation letter writers in early summer after the nomination process is complete, and drafts of the letters will be due for feedback in mid-August.
ONS Contact: Dr. Sayandeb Basu, sayandeb@honors.usf.edu
The Pickering Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State in which they can help formulate, represent and implement U.S. foreign policy. The Pickering Program selects outstanding Pickering Fellows annually in a highly competitive nationwide process and supports them through two years of graduate study, internships, mentoring, and professional development activities.
Eligibility: US Citizen; undergraduate student, graduate student, or alumni; minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA
When is the national deadline? Early September – for graduate programs beginning the following fall semester
When should you come see us? By the beginning of June
What is the application timeline? Students will begin working on 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 with from June through the national deadline. Applicants submit the names of two recommendation letter writers in early June when they declare their intent to apply, and drafts of the letters will be due for feedback in mid-August.
ONS Contact: nationalscholarships@usf.edu