Office of Nationally
Competitive Scholarships
NOTE: Although the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships is housed in the Honors College,
the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships serves the entire University.
What are nationally competitive scholarships?
- Prestigious national and international scholarships that are funded by sources independent of the University of Utah given to students based on demonstrated achievement and personal distinction
- Support undergraduate and graduate studies, research, and teaching endeavors through highly competitive, merit-based scholarships
- Students from all over the country compete to earn these distinguished scholarships
- Some nationally distinguished scholarships require an endorsement in which the potential candidate is vetted by a University-designated committee
Scholarship Categories:
University Endorsement 
University Endorsement requires participation in a formal campus process. Applicants are unable to apply to these opportunities directly. Endorsement signifies that candidates submitted by the University of Utah have been thoroughly vetted by a University-designated committee. For some scholarships, the U is limited in the number of applicants who can move forward the national or international competition. These scholarships require a University interview.
STEM
STEM scholarships provide an opportunity to study and/or research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
International
International scholarships provide opportunities for cultural engagement abroad through teaching, research, study, or internships.
Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies scholarships provide opportunities to pursue graduate degrees (master’s or PhD) either in the U.S. or abroad.
Service-oriented
Service-oriented scholarships emphasize public policy, international affairs, and public service through study, research, and internships. Many of these scholarships require commitment to service following graduation from a master’s program.
Language Study scholarships provide opportunities to study language and cultural immersion at varying levels of language proficiency.
Available Scholarships for those applying as:
Seniors, Graduate Students, and Alumni
- Funding for graduate students to travel abroad to study less commonly taught languages.
- Funding for 1 year of postgraduate study in math, science, or engineering at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)
- Funding for travel abroad for cultural immersion and study of a language critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity.
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
- Funding for postgraduate studies for study, research, or learning German in Germany
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Rise
- Funding for an undergraduate or graduate internship in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences or engineering in Germany.
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Scholarship
- Funding for an academic year or summer for postgraduate study of underrepresented languages.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
- Funding for postgraduate study and research abroad OR a 1-year English Teaching Assistantship (ETA).
- Funding for postgraduate study in any field at the University of Cambridge.
- Funding for up to 5 years for PhD level study in applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering.
Junior Fellows Program (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
- Funding for 1 year for assisting in research projects related to foreign affairs and international peace.
- Funding for up to 3 years for postgraduate study in any field at Stanford University.
- Funding for 13 months to live, work and learn a language in Asia for graduating seniors, graduate students and young professionals who have limited exposure to Asia.
- Funding for 1-2 years of postgraduate study in any field at any university in the United Kingdom.
- Funding for a 1-year master’s degree in any field in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship
- Funding for 3 years for postgraduate study in a STEM field at any accredited institution in the U.S.
- Funding for 2 years of postgraduate study for a master’s degree in an area related to international development or related area.
- Funding for 2 years of postgraduate study for a two-year master’s degrees in an area relevant to foreign service.
- Funding for 2 years of postgraduate study for a master’s degree in international affairs or another area related to the work of the Foreign Service.
- Funding for 2-3 years of postgraduate study in any field at the University of Oxford.
- Funding for 1 year for a Master’s degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing China.
- Funding for New Americans (immigrants and children of immigrants) for up to 2 years of postgraduate studies in any field at any university in the U.S.
- Funding for 1-2 years of postgraduate study leading to a master’s degree from Peking University in Beijing, China.
Sophomores & Juniors
- Funding for 1-2 years for undergraduate studies for science, mathematics, and/or engineering to pursue PhD level research.
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Rise
- Funding for an undergraduate or graduate internship in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences or engineering in Germany.
- Funding for up to 3 years of postgraduate study in a field leading to a career in public service.
- Funding for undergraduate study for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment.
Undergraduates
- Funding for undergraduate students to travel abroad to study less commonly taught languages.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)
- Funding for travel abroad for cultural immersion and study of a language critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity.
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
- Funding for undergraduates to study, research, or learn German in Germany.
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Scholarship
- Funding for an academic year or summer for undergraduate study of underrepresented languages.
- Funding for undergraduate students receiving Pell Grant funding to study abroad or complete an internship abroad.