“I’m glad I decided to pursue Fulbright. It gave me an opportunity to share my unique experience as an immigrant and first-generation college student, not only with my Chinese colleagues, but also with other international students at Northwest University, who rarely meet Chinese Americans.“
“For me, the Watson was not about a year-long adventure but about learning to see the possibilities available in the world and realizing that I am capable of pursuing any of them I want.”
A Brief Introduction to Fellowships and Scholarships
Fellowships and scholarships offer funding to support a range of purposeful activities, including undergraduate research, language study/other study abroad, self-designed projects, teaching and service, graduate or professional study, or even internships and professional placements. They can open doors for you to things you might not be able to pursue otherwise.
There are opportunities for students and graduates of every nationality and at every stage of their careers. What might be the right fit for you?
Fulbright Program (rising seniors & graduates)
Supports a year (or occasionally more) of study or research abroad in any discipline, or year-long English teaching assistantships (ETAs) abroad in programs designed by the host countries. Eligible are graduating seniors and graduates who are US citizens. Campus application deadline for Wellesley students and graduates typically in August, after an optional draft deadline in July.
Chinese Government Scholarship (seniors and graduates)
The Chinese government has set up a variety of scholarship programs to sponsor international students, teachers, and scholars to study and do research at Chinese universities. Wellesley may nominate graduating seniors and graduates for these awards. Campus application deadline typically in early in the new year.
“I am so thrilled that I will be able to learn directly from women leaders in crucial environmental projects in a diverse array of Latin American countries that I otherwise could not have ever imagined visiting.”
Churchill Scholarships (seniors & graduates)
Supports one year of graduate study (including one-year research degrees) in science, mathematics, or engineering at Cambridge. Eligible: graduating seniors and recent graduates of Wellesley College who are US citizens with majors in appropriate STEM fields. Campus application deadline typically in early October.
Wellesley College Graduate Fellowships (WCGF—seniors & graduates)
Wellesley College offers a number of fellowships and scholarships for graduate study or research open to Wellesley seniors and graduates. Two awards are open to women graduates of any American institution (the Schimke and the Shackford). Awards are usually made to applicants currently enrolled in or applying to graduate/professional school for the following academic year; there is a single common application process for most of these awards, and the campus deadline is typically in January.
Travel Fellowships
Fellowships fund purposeful activity—all over the world! Travel fellowships are available to both undergraduates and graduates, can fund structured opportunities or “build your own adventure” independent projects, can be open to citizens of any nation and applicants from any major, and can fund research, language study, graduate study, teaching, and service… to name just a few! Where could a fellowship take you?
Saint Andrew’s Society of New York Graduate Scholarship (seniors)
Supports one year of study in any discipline at a university in Scotland. Eligible are Wellesley seniors who are US citizens with Scottish heritage and financial need. Campus application deadline typically in November.
Michel David-Weill Scholarship (seniors)
Supports a two-year master’s degree in any field at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), but Economics is especially encouraged. Eligible are graduating seniors at Wellesley who are US citizens. Campus application deadline typically in November.
Fellowships and Scholarships for Graduate Study
There are more fellowships and scholarships than you might think there are to help fund graduate or professional study. It’s helpful to be creative and persistent in your search, and in your applications. This research will give you an overview of some of the fellowships out there, and tips for searching for opportunities.
Projects for Peace Alumni Award (graduates)
Projects for Peace is a global program that partners with educational institutions to identify and support young peacebuilders and changemakers. Each year, the Projects for Peace Alumni Award will award up to $50,000 to support the continuing peacebuilding efforts of a past Projects for Peace grantee. The Award is made possible through the Kathryn Wasserman Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation at Middlebury. Campus application deadline typically in January.
“In order to make changes in laws and policies, we need to have data on our side. We need to be able to make a case that shows a causal link between misinformation online and the erosion of democracy.”
Introduction to Fellowships for Graduates
Fellowships and scholarships can fund graduate or professional study, purposeful travel, professional placements, self-designed projects, and so much more. They can help you build your experience and qualifications, help you explore a passion, and clarify a path forward. What would you do with a fellowship?
Yenching Academy Scholarship at Peking University (seniors & graduates)
The Yenching Academy of Peking University builds bridges between China and the rest of the world through an interdisciplinary master’s program in China Studies for outstanding graduates from all over the globe. This initiative brings together young people who show promise to lead and innovate in their fields in an intensive learning environment where they can explore China and its role in the world — past, present, and future. The Academy aims to thereby shape a new generation of global citizens with a nuanced understanding of China and its role in the world.
Wellesley is an official Partner Institution for the Yenching Academy: campus deadline typically in November.