What is the Office of Merit Awards and how can we help you?

The Office of Merit Awards helps students and alumni apply for external, nationally-competitive, merit-based scholarships that fund research abroad, language acquisition, professional experiences, research, and post-graduate studies. Awards are open to students in ALL majors.

*These awards are usually not for tuition remission

OMA Deadlines & Information Sessions

Upcoming Campus Deadlines

Internal campus deadlines are set in order to provide applicants and advisors optimal time to craft competitve applications for the awards listed below. In some instances, awards limit the number of applicants an institution may nominate. To determine the individuals that American University nominates, the Office of Merit Awards carries out internal university nomination processess. Awards requiring a university nomination are marked with asterisks.

Students interested in applying for any of the awards listed below should reach out to [email protected] to meet with an advisor and discuss the application process further.

Fulbright: English Teaching Assistant | Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Fulbright: Study/Research | Tuesday, September 8, 2026

CoLAB Emerging Tech Talent Scholarship | Thursday, October 1, 2026

*** Goldwater Scholarship *** | Thursday, October 1, 2026

*** Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Gaither Fellowship *** | Monday, November 16, 2026

*** Udall Scholarship *** | Thursday, November 19, 2026

Boren Scholarship & Boren Fellowship | Friday, January 8. 2027

*** Killam Fellowship *** | Thursday, January 14, 2027

*** UK Scholarships (Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes) *** | Friday, February 26, 2027

Critical Langauge Scholarship (CLS) Information Sessions

The Department of State's Critical Language Scholarships provides immersive summer programs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages of strategic importance to the United States’ national security and economic prosperity. Participants receive the equivalent of one year of language study in eight weeks, through intensive language instruction and cultural activities that reinforce both language learning and intercultural competence.

Information Sessions:

Information Session #1 |Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 | MGSC 327

Information Session #2 |TBA

Boren Scholarship & Fellowship Information Sessions

The Boren Undergraduate Scholarship & Boren Graduate Fellowship 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.

Boren (UG) Scholarship Information Sessions:

Information Session #1 | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 | MGSC 327

Information Session #2 | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 | Zoom Link

Catch-Up Information Session | Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 | Bender Library Room #150

Boren (G) Fellowship Information Sessions:

Information Session #1 | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 | MGSC 327

Information Session #2 | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 | Zoom Link

Catch-Up Information Session | Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 | Bender Library Room #150

Gilman Scholarship Information Sessions

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) provides up to $5,000 in merit-based scholarships to outstanding American undergraduate students with high financial need to pursue credit-bearing academic studies and career-oriented internships abroad. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship.

Information Sessions:

Information Session #1 | Monday, September 14, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 | Zoom

Drop-In Advising Session #1 | Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 |Zoom

Drop-In Advising Session #2 | Monday, September 28, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 | Zoom

Drop-In Advising Session #3 | TBA

Goldwater Scholarship Information Sessions

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship is one of the nation's most prestigious undergraduate awards for future researchers, providing up to $7,500 for current sophomores and juniors majoring in scientific fields planning to have a career in research

*** the Goldwater Scholarship requires a campus nomination ***

Competitive applicants typically have:

A strong research background
A strong GPA
Experience presenting research outside the classroom

Information Sessions:

Information Session #1 |Thursday, September 3, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 | Zoom

Information Session #2 |Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 | Zoom

STEM Office Hours

Sr. Director, Dr. Paula Warrick, provides general office hours for students with STEM majors. To learn more about STEM-based awards prior to attending office hours, please review our National Scholarship Directory.

STEM Office Hours:

Office hours will be held from 12:30–1:30 every other Thursday between September 10 and November 5. All office hour sessions will be conducted using this Zoom link.

If you are a STEM student who would like to attend office hours but cannot make any of the scheduled times, please email [email protected] to arrange an alternate meeting time with Dr. Warrick.

American University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes and pregnancy or related conditions, age, marital status, genetic information, personal appearance, matriculation, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, familial status, source of income, place of residence or business, veteran status, or any other protected basis and prohibits discrimination in any program or activity that it operates, as required by federal or local laws and their implementing regulations and University policies, including in employment and admission.

Working with the Office of Merit Awards

Amanda Concepcion, CAS/BS '24

"Working with the Office of Merit Awards (OMA) has been a phenomenal experience; Their support helped me receive the honor of participating in the Summer Public Health Scholars Program at Columbia University this upcoming summer. The OMA provided me with not only invaluable mentors to help me with my application but also more optimism and hope about my academic and career goals that sometimes feel unattainable. I am so grateful for all of the advising and incredible staff. Thank you, OMA!”

Edwin Santos, SPA/BA ’24, MPA ’25

"The Office of Merit Awards is such a great resource! I am so privileged and thankful to have faculty on campus that are passionate about helping students like myself apply for fellowships and scholarships that enhance our educational and professional experiences. Receiving guidance with my applications from advisors at the office has led me to great opportunities I would never thought I could be part of."

How Do I Apply?

number 2

Tied for 2nd top Boren Fellows producer in nation

33 percent

of AU applicants received national recognition in 2024

300

applicants supported by OMA in 2024