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Office of Merit Awards Operating Updates

 

  • The OMA remains fully virtual due to the flooding in Letts Lower Level.  
  • We are available to support students Monday-Friday between 9am to 5pm. Please email meritawards@american.edu to inquire about scheduling. 
  • Information about scholarship information sessions and workshops can be found here and on our instagram (@auofficeofmeritawards)
  • Questions? Contact us at meritawards@american.edu

Upcoming 2023-2024 Events and Deadlines

Check out a complete listing of graduate and undergraduate scholarship deadlines. 

BOREN FELLOWSHIP | borenawards.org

The Boren Graduate Fellowship supports students pursuing the study of languages, cultures, and world regions that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Boren Fellowships are merit-based. Applicants design their own programs and may combine domestic language and cultural study with overseas study. All Fellowship recipients are required to work for one year (or longer in some instances) in a national-security related position with the Federal government, starting no later than 2 years after graduation.

BOREN SCHOLARSHIP| borenawards.org

The Boren Undergraduate Scholarship supports study abroad for students pursuing the study of languages, cultures, and world regions that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. All scholarship recipients are required to work for one year in a national security-related position with the Federal government, starting no later than 2 years after graduation.

The application cycle for this year is closed. The application for the 2025-26 cycle will open in Fall 2024.

Fulbright UK Summer Institutes

The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers special summer institutes for US citizens to go to the United Kingdom. These summer programs provide the opportunity for undergraduates (with at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete) to go to the UK on a three to six- week academic program at a highly regarded UK university, explore the culture, heritage, and history of the UK, and develop their academic ability by improving presentation, research, and communication skills.

Deadline: February 2024

Drop-in Advising | Thursday, January 18th from 12:30-1:30 EST | Zoom Link

Writing Workshop | Thursday, January 23rd from 2:30-3:30 EST | Zoom Link

Email meritawards@american.edu with any questions about how to get started on your application. 

Rangel Summer Enrichment Program

This is is a six-week summer program designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such careers. The Program covers the costs for tuition, travel, housing, and two meals per day. It also provides a stipend of $3,300.

This program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Students live at Howard University, attend classes, and participate in a variety of programs with foreign affairs professionals at Howard and at diverse locations around Washington, DC.

Deadline: February 2024

For more information or to be connected with an advisor, email meritawards@american.edu

The following dates apply to the 2024-2025 Fulbright competition cycle. 

Fulbright Kickoff | Wed, March 6, 2024 | 12:30-2:00pm | https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Fulbright: ETA Grants | Wednesday, March 20, 2024 | 12:30-1:30pm | https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Fulbright: Research Grants | Tuesday, March 26, 2024 | 4:00-5:00pm | https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Fulbright: Special Topic TBD | Wednesday, April 3, 2024 | 12:30-1:30pm | https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Fulbright: Study Grants | Tuesday, April 9, 2024 | 12:30-1:30pm | https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Final Fulbright Session | Wednesday, April 24, 2024 | 12:30-1:30pm | In person (TBD) 

First Assignments Due: June 2024

Campus Deadline: Early September 2024

National Deadline: Mid-October 2024

Voyager Scholarship: Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service  

The Voyager Scholarship was created by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, Airbnb Co-founder and CEO, to help shape such leaders. The scholarship provides up to $50,000 in financial aid for the final two years of college for students who want to pursue a career in public service and substantial funding for travel.

Deadline: March of 2024

 

Rangel Graduate Fellowship: The Rangel Program is a U.S. State Department program administered by Howard University that seeks to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers as diplomats in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State. The program seeks individuals interested in helping to shape a freer, more secure and prosperous world through formulating, representing, and implementing U.S. foreign policy. The Program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need.

 Pickering Fellowship: The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship prepares students to enter the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service. Fellows receive tuition, fees, and a stipend for two years of graduate study. In addition, the fellowship funds one domestic and one overseas internship with the US Department of State. Fellows enter directly into the Foreign Service upon graduation. This program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need.

Payne FellowshipThe USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract young people who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Payne Fellowship Program plans to award seven fellowships for a two-year master's degree and Fellows who successfully complete the Payne Program and USAID Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as USAID Foreign Service Officers. This program encourages the application of members of minority groups who have historically been underrepresented in international development careers and those with financial need.

Clarke DS Fellowship: Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Clarke DS Fellowship is a two-year graduate fellowship program designed for individuals who want to pursue a master’s degree and a career as a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agent in the Foreign Service. DSS Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers.

Deadlines: Fall 2024

Foreign Fellowships Info Session | Tuesday, February 27th from 12:30-1:30 | Zoom Link

Email meritawards@american.edu for more information. 

Gilman Scholarship

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship program offers grants to undergraduate students who have limited financial means to pursue academic studies or internships abroad. To be eligible, applicants must be Federal Pell Grant recipients.

Deadline: March 7th, 2024 at 11:59pm PT

Virtual Info Session | Thursday, February 1st, 12:30-1:30pm EST | Zoom Link

Virtual Drop-in Advising | Monday, February 12th 2:00-3:00pm EST | Zoom Link

Writing Workshop | Wednesday, February 28th, 11:00-12:30pm EST | Zoom Link

AU Student Receives Gates-Cambridge Award

Umunna uses Gates-Cambridge to study at Cambridge

She was mentored by AU’s Office of Merit Awards (OMA)...

Ifeanyi Umunna (SPA/BA '23) has been named a Gates-Cambridge scholar. Umunna is the second AU student to recieve this prestigious award and one of 80 total scholars in her cohort. She will use the scholarship to pursue an MPhil in criminology at the University of Cambridge. Click here to read more Umunna's achievement and how OMA helps support students applying for prestigious awards.

AU Named a Top Fulbright Producing University 2024

AU Lands in the Top 40 Doctoral Fulbright Producing Schools

For the eigth time in the last twelve years American University has officially been named a top producer of U.S. Student Fulbright Scholars. Click here to read more about this exciting accomplishment and how OMA supports students applying for Fulbright.

Brothers Receive Foreign Service Fellowships

OMA Supports AU Brothers Apply for Foreign Service Awards

Ibrahim brothers, Xavier SIS/BA '23 and Khalil SIS/BA '21, are recipients of the prestegious  US Agency for International Development (USAID) Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program and Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program respectively. Each award provides more than $100,000 in funding towards their graduate school and additional opportunities. To read more click here

Additionally, please see our 'Foreign Service Fellowship Programs' tab to learn more about these opportunities and how the Office of Merit Awards supports candidates. 

awards dinner

2022-2023 Award Recipients, Alternates, & Finalists

Nationally competitive awards help candidates accomplish their goals.

See All

#1

in the US for graduate Boren Fellowships

smiling young student

Early Identification Program (EIP)

EIP is an academic enrichment initiative for academically outstanding second-year & transfer students.

Learn more

number 2

for Boren Scholars & Fellows combined

55

Fulbright Scholars since 2013

127

recipients, alternates, and finalists for nationally competitive scholarships (2017-18)