Unlike Honors College scholarships, government entities and private agencies fund nationally competitive awards. These awards offer students the opportunity to study or conduct research across the United States and around the globe within the context of their undergraduate degree, or post-graduation. Because there are few of these awards relative to the number of students applying nationwide, they are highly competitive, and therefore, very prestigious. Students who receive such awards demonstrate potential for great success in their postgraduate studies and subsequent careers.
The Honors College is proactive in identifying and preparing any UNLV student for these opportunities and we take great pride in the number of students who engage in advanced research and have been successful in their application for these awards. Current students and recent graduates have received Barry M. Goldwater, Harry S. Truman, Woodrow Wilson, Marshall, NASA, NSF, EPSCoR, NIH, INBRE and many other highly competitive national awards.
If you have an interest in pursuing a competitive national award, please contact Dr. Martha Phelps, Advisor for Nationally Competitive Awards.
Because application deadlines vary and change each year, please check websites for the most up-to-date information. Be forewarned that the Honors College has internal application deadlines that occur prior to the deadlines published on the websites. Some awards require UNLV nomination/endorsement; others do not. Those requiring endorsement are noted with an ‘*’.
Rhodes Scholarships*
Supports graduate study for 2 years at Oxford University; all costs covered.
Eligible: U.S. Citizens; 18-24 years old; must graduate by Oct. 1st; intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service; all-around outstanding students with strong propensity to be future world leaders, GPA’s probably need to be >3.8.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship*
Fulltime college Sophomores and Juniors apply for support during their Junior and/or Senior years as undergraduates; math, natural science and engineering majors; covers tuition/fees/etc up to $7.5k/yr for 1-2 years.
Eligible: U.S. Citizens; min. GPA of 3.0 and in the upper ¼ of class is required but realistically only students with a 3.9 or higher should apply; UNLV can only nominate 4 students/yr.
Harry S. Truman Scholarships*
Applications are open to college juniors/seniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service; up to $30k for grad study.
Eligible: U.S. Citizens; top ¼ of class, university can only nominate 4 students.
Marshall Scholars*
1-2 years of graduate study at any British University; talented, independent, diverse students from any discipline; African/Am and Hispanics encouraged. Jointly funded awards available for NIH.
Eligible: U.S. Citizens; min. GPA of 3.7
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships
3 years of grad funding ($32k/yr stipend + $12k/yr tuition) at any graduate program; must be high achieving STEM major; female, Afr/Am, Native Am, Hispanics encouraged; research experience is important.
Eligible: U.S. Citizens.
Morris and Stewart Udall Scholarship*
$5000 undergraduate scholarship, sophomore or junior applicants committed to environment (policy, sci/eng, education, urban planning/renewal, business, health, justice, econ).
Eligible: U.S. Citizens; preference to Native American/Alaska Natives committed to tribal public policy or Native health care, min. GPA of 3.0; must be a tribal member if you want to do tribal policy.
George Mitchell Scholars*
U.S.-Ireland alliance; future American leaders; for 1 year of graduate study in an Irish university, any discipline; 3 criteria = scholarship, leadership, sustained community/public service; about 4% acceptance rate; provides tuition, housing stipend, travel.
Eligible: U.S. Citizens, ages 18-30
Carnegie Junior Fellows*
Year-long paid internship ($37,000) in international affairs at the Carnegie Endowment for World Peace in Washington DC for graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. Application opens in October and has a Jan. 15th deadline.
Eligible: Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.; must be nominated by the faculty representative at their undergraduate institution.
Schwarzman Scholars*
Designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders; academically excellent students pursue degrees in public policy, economics and business, or international studies for one year at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Eligible: Any citizenship; must be nominated by the faculty representative at their undergraduate institution.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Full time, full cost scholarship for graduate study at Cambridge University; outstanding intellect, leadership potential, commitment to improving lives of others, good fit with a program at Cambridge.
Eligible: Non-U.K. citizens; must be academically outstanding.
Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
Highly-competitive (<3% acceptance), provides recent college and grad school graduates with the opportunity to gain a Washington perspective on key issues of peace and security thru 6-9 months in DC as a staffer at an organization of their choice; international relationships; includes salary.
Eligible: U.S. Citizens, non-citizens living in US that can obtain proper work visa; must have graduated by start of fellowship; most fellows major in government, history, international relations, peace studies, political science or related fields.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
$1000-5000 one time scholarships; development of next generation of Latino leaders; 3 intern sessions in Congress; also have leadership & professional development programs; for college graduates to address public policy challenges. Scholarships are for 2-4 years. Also have 9 month Fellowships/leadership training program. Graduate Fellowships in public policy and STEM fields.
Eligible: U.S. Citizens, resident, asylees, authorized to work in U.S.; full time students, demonstrated financial need, consistent/active participation in public/community service, strong writing skills.
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship
Up to 2 years of graduate study for “New Americans", Green Card holder or naturalized citizen of child of two naturalized citizens, any discipline, <30 years old, $20k and half tuition wherever you attend.
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
District, Global and Packaged Grant Scholarships for grad education (1-4yrs of funding) (varies, $30k+, $25k, respectively); 6 focus areas = Peace/conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention/treatment, water/sanitation, maternal/child health, basic education/literacy, economic/community development.
Eligibility: Applicants must be admitted into a graduate program.
Woodrow Wilson Fellowships
Several different awards, mostly teaching; one award for students in international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management and science policy.
Eligible: U.S. Citizens (deadlines vary depending on program/school).
James Madison Fellowships
Supports students interested in teaching American History, American government, and social studies in secondary schools; Junior Fellowships cover two years of full-time study ($24k) to students who are not yet teaching and will attend grad school full time; requires “pay-back" of one year of teaching for each year of support.
Eligible: U.S. Citizens/Nationals only; requires demonstrated commitment to civic responsibility, and professional and collegial activities.
Contact
Dr. Andrew Hanson
Campus Location: RLL, Room 145
Phone: 702-895-2263
Email: andrew.hanson@unlv.edu