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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 National Deadline for the Boren Awards is in January of 2024

Boren Scholarship:

Boren Scholarship: Getting Started - Wednesday, October 18, 12:30-1:30pm 

In-person - MGC 200 

Boren Scholarship: Getting Started 2 - Wednesday, October 24, 12:30-1:30pm 

Zoom Link: https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Boren Scholarship & Fellowship Essay 1 Writing Workshop - Wednesday, November 7, 12:30-1:30pm 

Zoom Link: https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Boren Scholarship & Fellowship Essay 2 Writing Workshop - Tuesday, November 14, 4:00-5:00pm  

Zoom Link: https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Boren Fellowship:

Boren Fellowship: Getting Started - Wednesday, October 18, 4:00-5:00pm  

Zoom Link: https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Boren Fellowship: Getting Started #2 - Tuesday, October 24, 4:00-5:00pm In-person – MGC 200 

Boren Scholarship & Fellowship Essay 1 Writing Workshop - Tuesday, November 7, 12:30-1:30pm

Zoom Link: https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Boren Scholarship & Fellowship Essay 2 Writing Workshop - Tuesday, November 14, 4:00-5:00pm 

Zoom Link: https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

Boren Fellowship: Budget - Wednesday, November 29, 4:00-5:00pm 

Zoom Link: https://american.zoom.us/j/91907520429 

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

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 2023-2024 Fulbright competition cycle. 

Fulbright Kickoff Info Session | Wednesday, March 8th, 12:30-2:00pm EST | Zoom Link

Fulbright ETA Grants | Wednesday, March 22nd, 12:30-1:30pm EST | Zoom Link

Fulbright Research Grants | Tuesday, March 28th, 4:00-5:00pm EST | Zoom Link

Fulbright Special Topic | Wednesday, April 5th, 12:30-1:30pm EST | Zoom Link

Fulbright Study Grants | Tuesday, April 11th, 12:30-1:30pm EST | Zoom Link

Fulbright Info Session | Wednesday, April 26th, 12:30-1:30pm | Zoom Link

First Assignments Due: June 2023

Campus Deadline: Early September 2023

National Deadline: Mid-October 2023

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: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 3:00pm CT

Voyager Scholarsip Info Session | Tuesday, February 14th,12:30-1:30pm | Zoom Link

Virtual Drop-In Advising | Thursday, February 16th, 12:30-1:30pm | Zoom Link

Virtual Drop-In Advising | Wednesday, February 22nd, 12:30-1:30 | Zoom Link

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.

 

Deadlines: Fall 2023

Foriegn Fellowships Info Session | Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023 at 12:30-1:30pm | 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: October 5, 2024 at 11:59pm PT

Virtual Info Session | Thursday, September 14, 12:30-1:30pm EST | Zoom link

Virtual Drop-in Advising | Tuesday, September 26, 2:00-4:00pm EST | Zoom Link 

Virtual Drop-In Advising | Tuesday, October 3, 2:00-4:00pm EST | Zoom Link

OMA Celebrates Rangel Fellows

Asim Siddiq, SIS/BA '22

Embrace what makes you different - it will take you very far.

 "Along your journey, you will encounter numerous obstacles and people who will tell you that your dreams are far too ambitious. Don’t listen to them. Embrace every challenge and opportunity."

Learn about the Rangel.

Janelle Gray, SIS/BA '21

"As a Black Jamaican-American woman, I am excited about the opportunity to increase the diverse representation in the foreign service. I really appreciated the guidance that the OMA provided on my Rangel Fellowship application. Their support allowed me to feel empowered throughout the application process. My advice to future applicants is to stay on top of deadlines, attend information sessions hosted by the Rangel program and OMA, and trust that you are more than capable and qualified for this opportunity."

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Janelle Gray, SIS/BA '21

Trust that you are more than capable and qualified.

"As a Black Jamaican-American woman, I am excited about the opportunity to increase the diverse representation in the foreign service. I really appreciated the guidance that the OMA provided on my Rangel Fellowship application. Their support allowed me to feel empowered throughout the application process. My advice to future applicants is to stay on top of deadlines, attend information sessions hosted by the Rangel program and OMA, and trust that you are more than capable and qualified for this opportunity." 

AU Alumni Freeman and Snead

Announcement

Two American University Alumni Win 2022 Knight-Hennessy Scholarship

American University alumni have been awarded prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholarship.

Full Story

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)