Funding for Post-Graduation International ActivitiesCenter for International and Cultural Education

Students considering post-graduation fellowships and funding options should work with the Fellowships Office. Please contact the current faculty director of the office for an appointment.

The American-Scandinavian Foundation

  • Provides fellowships up to $23,000 and grants (normally $4,000) to individuals to pursue research, study, or creative arts practice in one or more of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) for up to one year.
  • Awards made in all fields of study and of creative practice.
  • Deadline is usually in November for the following academic year.
  • For assistance with essay drafts, please contact the Fellowships Office.

American India Foundation

  • Funds an immersive, 10-month volunteer program to serve development organizations and social enterprises across India from September - July
  • Applicants must be US or Indian citizens, or US permanent residents between 21 and 34 years of age

Anna Sobol Levy Foundation

  • Funds one year of graduate study at Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
  • Candidates must be U.S. citizens under age 30 at the time application and should have studied in the fields of military studies, economic geography, international relations, political science, or history.
  • In addition, they must have career goals in the armed services, diplomatic corps, international relations, or government or public service.

Australia Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship

  • Provides ‘full’ funding to undertake a postgraduate (master’s or doctoral) program in Australia: two years for a master’s program for post-bachelor’s applicants, and four years for a doctoral program for post-master’s applicants.
  • Includes travel and establishment allowances, monthly living stipend, tuition and fees, and health insurance.
  • Note that Australia follows a Southern Hemisphere academic year, from February through November, with summer break from November through February. The application process generally opens in April for the next calendar-year based academic year.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program

  • One year of funding available for seniors or students who graduate within the last year (must not have started graduate-level study); 10 to 12 awards available each year in this national program.
  • Carnegie Junior Fellows work as research assistants to the endowment's senior associates in Washington, DC.
  • Applicants must be nominated by Cal Poly. For more information and application materials, please contact the Fellowships Office.

CBYX for Young Professionals Program

  • The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals Program fully funds an academic year of activities to 75 Americans and 75 Germans each year, providing the opportunity to spend one year in each others' countries, studying, interning, and living with hosts on a cultural immersion program.
  • For the U.S. participants, the year’s program includes 8 weeks of intensive language study, formal study in a university or technical school, and an internship.
  • Criteria include: U.S. citizenship or permanent residence; 18 to 24 years of age at the start of the program; possess a high school diploma; exhibit clear career goals and some relevant experience in the career field (experience can be work, internship, or volunteer); have a strong interest in German and international affairs, as well as a strong sense of American identity; and be flexible, independent, and diplomatic
  • Candidates in business, vocational, scientific, engineering, technical, and agricultural fields are especially encouraged to apply.
  • Prior German language knowledge is not required, but is strongly preferred.

Challenge Your Perspectives: The Swedish Scholarship Awards

  • Fully funds one to three awards each year, covering two years of tuition in a master’s degree program in Sweden.
  • The specific fields of study and specific graduate programs available change each year, as do other award components (e.g., in the 2015 competition, the award also included an internship at Volvo Group in the summer between the two years of the master’s program).
  • The competition is set up as a challenge, including a timed, online test of knowledge about Sweden, Swedish culture, politics, etc.; an essay; and a personal statement.
  • The winner(s) and selected finalists receive paid travel to a national prize ceremony in the U.S. in the spring before the winner(s) begin graduate study.
  • The competition deadline is usually in November.

Deutscher Akademischer Austaschdienst (DAAD): Awards for Germany

  • The DAAD funds a wide variety of graduate study and other post-graduation activities in Germany, for graduating seniors, graduate students, and recent college graduates, including research, language study, full degree programs, internships, and more. Application deadlines vary by program.
  • One specific program, RISE professional, gives students in the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, and physics the chance to spend between 6 weeks and 6 months working in German companies. Open to graduating seniors and recent graduates. Deadline is usually in January.

Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities (Oxford)

  • Around 10 scholarships will be available for one-year and two-year full-time master’s degrees and for three-year doctoral degrees. Candidates should be applying to start a new graduate course (program) at Oxford.
  • Fields included: Classics (including classical archaeology); English Language and Literature; Fine Art (except Studio Art), History (including history of art and the history of architecture); Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics; Medieval and Modern Languages (covering most European languages and their literature); Music; Oriental Studies (including Far Eastern and Middle Eastern Studies, and the study of a wide range of languages); Philosophy; and Theology.
  • Covers 100% of university and college fees, and a grant for living costs (the amount for 2014-15 was approximately £13,863).

Fulbright Scholarship

  • Provides generally one-year scholarships to U.S. citizens for post-baccalaureate or graduate studies abroad, including degree study, research, creative and performing arts projects, English Teaching Assistantships (ETAs), digital storytelling awards (the Fulbright-NatGeo awards), ethnomusicology research (Fulbright-mtvU awards), public policy internships in developing countries (the Fulbright-Clinton program, post-master’s only)
  • The Gustavus campus application deadline is September 15 for all but the mtvU awards (that one usually has a February national deadline with no campus deadline).
  • For more information and assistance with essay drafts, please contact the Fellowships Office.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

  • Highly prestigious scholarships awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree (master’s or doctoral level) in any subject (except the MD program) available at the University of Cambridge.
  • Applicants must also apply to their desired graduate program at Cambridge, and both applications are submitted together in one application pack.
  • There are two deadline rounds each year, though some specific graduate programs at Cambridge may have earlier deadlines that supersede the scholarship deadlines.

JET Program

  • Places native speakers of English who hold bachelor’s degrees into English-teaching positions in Japan.
  • Paid work positions, but a highly competitive selection process that resembles a fellowship placement system.

Marshall Scholarships

  • Provides full funding for outstanding U.S. citizens for one or two years of graduate study in the UK (with extensions possible at a few select institutions).
  • Open to U.S. citizens who will have only the bachelor’s degree by the time that the award begins, have a 3.7 or higher GPA, and received their undergraduate degree no more than two years before the deadline.
  • Applications are made within only one of eight U.S. regions, and applicants may choose the region of their home address or their campus/university address, if still enrolled (but not both).
  • Applicants must be nominated by the home university through an internal vetting process. For more information and assistance with essay drafts, please contact the Fellowships Office.

Mitchell Scholarships

  • The Mitchell Scholarship Program, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.
  • Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars (aged 18 to 30) are chosen annually for one academic year of postgraduate (graduate level) study in any discipline offered by the selected institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
  • Annual application deadline is typically in October for the following academic year.

New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS)

  • The NZIDRS provides full tuition fees plus a living stipend for up to 36 months for international students to undertake Ph.D. study at a New Zealand university.
  • Recipients can undertake Ph.D. study at any of New Zealand’s eight Universities: AUT University, Lincoln University, Massey University, University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, University of Otago, University of Waikato, Victoria University of Wellington.
  • Applicants must be able to gain admission to the chosen Ph.D. program (note: this is a post-master’s award).

Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship

  • Pershing Square Scholars are extraordinary individuals with a passion for tackling world-scale challenges while delivering sustainable and scalable impact.
  • Up to five scholarships per year, which support extraordinary individuals in developing and realizing their potential as future global leaders by fully funding the MBA year of one of the Oxford 1+1 programs. These programs combine an MBA and an MSc degree in a two-year time period.

Pickering Fellowships

  • Designed to attract outstanding individuals from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career with the U.S. Department of State.
  • Undergraduate awards: funding for the senior year of undergraduate studies and the first year of graduate studies in fields related to the work of the Foreign Service.
  • Graduate awards: funding for two years of a master’s level program in public policy, international affairs, public administration, business, economics, political science, sociology, or foreign languages.
  • Fellows will receive financial support of up to $37,500 annually for: tuition costs (first priority), room and board, books, mandatory fees, one round-trip ticket between Fellow's residence and his/her academic institution.
  • Applicants must be able to get a Department of State worldwide medical clearance, a top-secret security clearance, and a favorable suitability review.
  • Requires five years of work as a Foreign Service Officer in the Department of State by contractual obligation (i.e., failure to serve will require repayment).

Rangel Summer Enrichment Program

  • The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program is a 6-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 usually selects 15-20 participants (known as “Rangel Scholars”) each year from universities throughout the United States.
  • Open to full-time undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens, with at least sophomore status on the date of the application deadline, a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20.
  • Students live at Howard University and participate in a variety of programs with foreign affairs professionals around Washington, DC.
  • Includes two courses and a seminar that focus on enhancing knowledge and skills related to U.S. foreign policy, economics and writing; introduces the participants to a wide range of government and non-government professionals who work on global issues; arranges visits to various institutions involved in international affairs; and helps students explore graduate school, scholarship, fellowship, internship, and professional options in international affairs.
  • Covers the costs for tuition, travel, housing, and two meals per day. It also provides a stipend of $3,200. 

Rangel Graduate Fellowship Program

  • The Rangel Graduate Fellowship aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service, in which they can help formulate, represent and implement U.S. foreign policy.
  • Awards for 30 outstanding Rangel Fellows annually in a highly competitive nationwide process.
  • Supports two years of graduate study, internships and professional development activities, and entry into the Foreign Service. Fields of study include international affairs or a related subject, such as economics, history, political science, public administration, communications, public policy, business administration or foreign languages at a graduate or professional school approved by the Rangel Program. Study of law is not included.
  • The first internship involves working on international issues for Members of Congress and occurs in the summer after being selected and before the first year of graduate study. The second internship will be abroad in a U. S. Embassy and takes place during the summer between the first and second years of graduate study.
  • Encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and those with financial need.
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens, seeking admission to enter graduate school for a two-year program at a U.S. university. They can be in their senior year of their undergraduate studies or they can be college graduates. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher the time of application.
  • Fellows who successfully complete the program and Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers, one of the most exciting and rewarding careers available.

Rhodes Scholarships

  • Provides full funding for outstanding U.S. applicants to complete a graduate degree at Oxford University in the UK.
  • Open to U.S. citizens and to U.S. permanent residents who will have been lawful permanent residents of the U.S. continuously for at least five years by the time of the Rhodes Scholarship deadline.
  • Applicants must be nominated by the home university through an internal vetting process.
  • “Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead.”
  • For more information, please contact the Fellowships Office.

Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship

  • The Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program is a distinguished transatlantic initiative that offers 15 accomplished Americans the opportunity to complete a comprehensive professional development program in Germany.
  • The Bosch Fellowship is comprised of three main components: customized work placements, professional seminars, and German language training.
  • Eligibility includes: U.S. citizen; 40 years of age or younger at the application deadline; minimum five years of relevant, full-time work experience in target fellowship field (excluding internships); graduate degree preferred; evidence of outstanding professional performance; sincere commitment to furthering transatlantic relations.
  • Application deadline is usually November 1.

Rotary Peace Fellowships

  • Each year, Rotary International selects up to 100 individuals from around the world to receive fully funded academic fellowships at one of Rotary’s peace centers.
  • At five of the centers (Australia, England, Japan, Sweden, U.S.), the award is for a full master’s degree program, including a 2- to 3-month internship during the academic break.
  • At one center (Thailand), a shorter opportunity is offered for a three-month period to earn a professional development certificate in peace and conflict studies.
  • These fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.
  • Eligibility requirements include: proficiency in English; proficiency in a second language is strongly recommended; strong commitment to international understanding and peace as demonstrated through professional and academic achievements and personal or community service; and excellent leadership skills
  • In addition, master's degree applicants need: minimum three years of related full-time work or volunteer experience; bachelor's degree
  • In addition, certificate applicants need: minimum five years of related full-time work or volunteer experience; strong academic background

Schwarzman Scholars

  • Fully funds a one year master's degree program at Tsinghua University (arguably China's most prestigious university) in either public policy, economics and business, or international studies.
  • Accepts 200 new scholars each year: 90 from the US, 40 from China, and the rest from other parts of the world. All nationalities are eligible.
  • Age restriction: must be between 18 and 29 years old as of August 1 of the year of matriculation. Prior graduate study does not disqualify applicants who meet the other criteria.
  • No specific requirements in terms of undergraduate major or GPA, but all applicants must make a very strong case for their proposed participation in the application essays.
  • Deadline is usually in late September of the previous year.