Opportunities
Juniors and Seniors
This is not an exhaustive list of everything juniors and seniors can apply for. These are simply some opportunities that we would like to highlight if you are getting
deeper in your undergraduate career. 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 U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.
Eligibility: US Citizen, undergraduate, Pell Grant recipient, credit-eligible program
When is the national deadline?
-Early October for following spring, summer, and fall programs
-Early March for following summer, fall, and spring programs
When should you come see us?
-August or early September for October deadline
-January or early February for March deadline
What is the application timeline? Students will begin working on first drafts of application essays one to two 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 a week before the national deadline.
ONS Contact: gilmanadvisors@usf.edu
The Goldwater Scholarship Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious national
scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics in the United States,
seeks to identify and support college sophomores and juniors (by year of graduation) who show exceptional promise of becoming this Nation's next generation of research
leaders in these fields. Selected students will receive a stipend for academic and
research support for their remaining years as an undergraduate.
Eligibility: Goldwater applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents aspiring toward obtaining a PhD or MD/PHD. Applicants must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Candidates who are aiming to obtain a master’s degree in a STEM area are not eligible and pre-med candidates are also ineligible.
Undergraduates with one or more years of deep dive research experiences are ideal candidates. Candidates must have a significant role in the research project(s) on which the Goldwater application research paper will be written. Completed research, and not research proposals, are desired. At least a significant study pertaining to the research question being used to apply must be complete at the time of the application. Papers either in submitted or published status, as well as presentations in local, regional or national conferences are preferred. USF can only nominate 4 students plus one student transferring from a 2-year institution. Therefore, there is a campus review process associated with choosing nominees. The review committee meets in December, reviews the application dossiers in its entirety and chooses nominees based on (A) strength and intellectual merit of research (B) preparation and steps taken towards completed research (C) career goals and (D) leadership and Broader impacts of research and extracurricular activities related to STEM.
When is the national deadline? Last Friday of January of every year.
When should you come see us? ONS will usually recruit and mentor potential Goldwater candidates early in their freshman year. But we realize that we will not be able to reach all students who are involved in research. Ideally the first Goldwater assessment meeting should take place at least a year prior to the application, but it should be no later than the August before the January when the application is due.
What is the application timeline? August through December of every year, Goldwater candidates (pre-nomination) work under the guidance of Dr. Sayandeb Basu and individual PI’s to prepare the application for Internal Competition and Review. In December, the USF Goldwater committee meets to review the applications. Final nominees are chosen first week of January, and in the time remaining, nominees work under the guidance of Dr. Basu and their PI’s to refine and finalize applications for submission.
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
The Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Institutes seek high-potential undergraduate students from universities across the country to participate in an intensive seven-week Junior Summer Institute (JSI) before their senior year. During their program, fellows are equipped with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in graduate school and ultimately, in influential roles serving the public good. The goal of the JSI is to help students achieve a master’s or joint degree, typically in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field.
Eligibility: US Citizen, legal permanent resident, or DACA status; undergraduate with expected graduation within 12 months of completing the summer institute. International students are eligible for select JSI programs.
When is the national deadline? Early November
When should you come see us? August/Early September
What is the application timeline? Students will begin working on first drafts of application essays one to two 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 from August through the national deadline. Applicants submit the name of two recommendation letter writers in early September when they declare their intent to apply, and drafts of the letters will be due for feedback in mid-October.
ONS Contact: nationalscholarships@usf.edu
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
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
The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate leadership, activities in public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment.
Eligibility: Be a sophomore or junior in good academic standing with a track record of advocacy and experience in public policy, community engaged work, leadership, and/or research focused on the environment, tribal policy and/or the health care of the Native American nations. Individuals who work on issues related to Native American nations must be an enrolled member or a descendant in first or second degree of an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized Indian tribe or band, including any tribe or band terminated since 1940.
You should answer “yes” to these questions:
- Are you working towards positive solutions to environmental challenges or to issues impacting Indian country?
- Have you demonstrated your commitment to one of these areas through public service? Do you inspire and motivate others to take action? Are you committed to making a difference through civility and consensus building?
When is the national deadline? Early March
When should you come see us? First and second year students should meet with us in the spring semester (approximately one year before applying). Students must participate in the pre-application process the spring before the deadline.
What is the application timeline? Potential candidates are nominated in the spring of their first or second year and undergo an extensive internal review process to be endorsed to apply for the Udall Scholarship through USF. The following summer and fall semesters, 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
https://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/Scholarship/Scholarship.aspx
Junior and senior students may also be interested in visiting our Graduate Study page!