The Office of Fellowships helps currently enrolled Mason students, and recent alumni, apply to nationally competitive awards that provide a variety of funding opportunities and experiences.
Explore the fellowship categories below to find an award that interests you. Pay special attention to the eligibility requirements and note that some awards have an internal (Mason) deadline.
Contact the Office of Fellowships for more information.
Explore Fellowships by Category
Study Abroad
| Fellowship Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Gilman Scholarship |
Who: Undergraduate students currently receiving a Pell Grant; U.S. citizens What: Funding to study abroad; program must be approved by study abroad office When: Applications are due in October or March (depending on dates of study abroad program) |
| Fulbright US Student Program |
Who: Students with a bachelor’s degree (you can apply as an undergrad senior); U.S. citizens What: Funding to study, research, or teach English in 140+ countries When: Mason applicants must contact Office of Fellowships by June 1 |
| Boren Awards |
Who: Undergraduate and graduate students; U.S. citizens What: Funding to learn a language critical to U.S. security overseas (grad students may also do research); federal employment upon return to U.S. When: Mason applicants must contact Office of Fellowships by November 30 |
| Critical Language Scholarship |
Who: Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students; U.S. citizens What: Funding to learn ‘critical need’ language overseas during summer When: Applications due in October |
Research Experiences
| Fellowship Name | Description |
|---|---|
| NSF Research Experience for Undergrads |
Who: Freshman-Junior undergraduates What: Paid summer research experience in lab at university or research center (locations across U.S.); U.S. citizens or permanent residents When: Rolling deadlines |
| Smithsonian Fellowships and Internships |
Who: Undergraduate and graduate students (varies depending on specific position) What: Paid research opportunity at Smithsonian museum or research institute When: Application deadlines vary |
| Cosmos Scholars Grant |
Who: Currently enrolled graduate students What: Funding for research project When: Applications due in November |
Graduate School
| Fellowship Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Pickering Fellowship and Rangel Fellowship |
Who: Prospective grad students in international affairs or related field; U.S. citizens What: Funding for 2-year MA program, domestic and international internship; federal employment upon graduation When: Mason applicants must contact Office of Fellowships by September 1 |
| NSF GRFP |
Who: Undergraduate seniors and first-year graduate students (that have not earned a MA or PhD previously); U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. What: Funding for 3 years of STEM graduate program When: Mason applicants must contact Office of Fellowships by June 1 |
| DoD SMART |
Who: Undergraduate senior or currently enrolled graduate student in STEM program; U.S. citizens What: Full funding for 1 year of graduate STEM program, summer internships with DoD facility, DoD employment upon graduation When: Applications due in December |
| Beinecke Scholars |
Who: Junior undergraduates planning to do graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences; U.S. citizens What: Funding for graduate school When: Mason applicants must contact Office of Fellowships by December 1 |
Leadership and Service
| Fellowship Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Truman Scholars |
Who: Undergraduate juniors dedicated to civic leadership; U.S. citizens What: Funding for 2-year graduate program in public policy or related field When: Mason applicants must contact Office of Fellowships by December 1 |
| Humanity in Action Fellowship |
Who: Undergraduate, graduate students, and recent alumni What: Funding for immersive study and humanitarian community-based project When: Applications due in February |
| Point Foundation Flagship Scholarship |
Who: Undergraduate and graduate students that are “out” as members of the LGBTQ+ community What: Financial aid, mentorship, and leadership development When: Applications due in December |
International Students
| Fellowship Name | Description |
|---|---|
| AAUW International Fellowship |
Who: International graduate students that identify as women What: Funding for graduate school When: Applications due in November |
| Google Scholarship (North America) |
Who: Undergraduate and graduate students in computer science/engineering What: 1 year of funding for school When: Applications due in December |
| Margaret McNamara Grant (US-America Program) |
Who: Currently enrolled students that identify as women and are 25+ years old; home country must be on eligibility list What: Funding for 1 year of school When: Applications due in January |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program |
Who: Graduate students What: Funding for graduate school When: Deadlines vary by country; apply through individual country Fulbright Office |