Yenching Academy Scholarship at Peking University (seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

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.

National Institutes of Standards & Technology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (NIST SURF) (students)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) at NIST laboratories in Gaithersburg, MD; Boulder, CO; and Waimanalo, Hawaii. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship is designed to inspire undergraduate students to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) through a unique research experience that supports the NIST mission.  Eligible are currently enrolled undergraduates who are US citizens or permanent residents, majoring in chemistry, computer science, physics, engineering, materials science, fire research, nanotechnology, information technology, mathematics, biology, manufacturing, statistics, or another STEM discipline.

A Brief Introduction to Fellowships and Scholarships

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

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?

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (sophomores and juniors)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF) was founded to increase diversity among minority faculty scholars in higher education. MMUF supports underrepresented minority students and others who have demonstrated commitment to eradicating racial disparities in academia by encouraging talented students to develop their academic interests, pursue and complete their doctoral training, and thrive in their faculty careers in higher education. With funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, MMUF undergraduates are able to conduct original undergraduate research in the humanities and social sciences. Campus deadline annually in March

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (sophomores and juniors)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Supports one or two years of undergraduate study in the fields of mathematics, engineering, and natural sciences. Eligible are college sophomores or juniors who are US citizens, permanent residents, and nationals intending to pursue research careers in STEM fields. Campus application deadline typically in late November/early December.

Fulbright Program (rising seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

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.

Marshall Scholarship (rising seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Supports one or two years of study in any discipline at a university in the United Kingdom. Eligible are graduating seniors and recent gradiates who are US citizens. Campus application deadline for Wellesley's endorsement typically in August.

Churchill Scholarships (seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

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.

McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill (rising seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

The McCall MacBain Scholarships seek to bring together exceptional students from around the world who strive to engage in positive change by taking on meaningful leadership roles. McCall MacBain Scholars connect with mentors and participate in an interdisciplinary leadership program while pursuing a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University! (Campus deadline typically in August.)

Schwarzman Scholars Program (rising seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Supports leadership development & a special one-year Master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, taught in English. Eligible are graduating seniors, current graduate and professional students, and recent graduates from any country and any major (knowledge of Mandarin is an asset but is not required). Official deadlines typically in May and September.

Rhodes Scholarship (rising seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Did you know that citizens of any country are now eligible to apply for the Rhodes Scholarships, for graduate study at the University of Oxford? Campus deadline for Wellesley applicants for Global Rhodes is typically in early June and for the Canadian and US Rhodes typically in late August. Application deadlines for other Rhodes competitions may fall even earlier (see their website, and Career Education deadline listings). All prospective Wellesley Rhodes applicants are encouraged to seek advice from Kate Dailinger, of Wellesley's Career Education, and learn more through this resource page.

Mitchell Scholarship (rising seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

*As of March, 2024, the Mitchell Scholarship has paused the selection of new Scholars. There will be no new class selected in autumn 2024, but they hope in future to be able to re-open this award.

Supports one year of study in any discipline at a university in Ireland. Eligible are graduating seniors and graduates who are US citizens between the ages of 18 and 30. Campus application deadline for seniors (who must seek institutional nomination) typically in August; graduates apply directly for the Mitchell but are very welcome to seek application advice from Wellesley's Fellowships office.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program (seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Offers full scholarships for any graduate or professional degree offered at Stanford University, plus leadership development, aimed at preparing leaders to find creative solutions for the world's greatest problems. Eligible are graduating seniors and recent graduates, from any country. Apply to the Knight-Hennessy by their deadline in early October, and to the Stanford degree program of your choice by the deadline for that program.

The Susan Rappaport Knafel ’52 Scholarship for Foreign Study or Traveling Fellowship (seniors)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Scholarship for Foreign Study – up to $36,000
The scholarship will be awarded to a member of the graduating class who displays a desire for learning and an ability to impart knowledge and judgment to others.  It will fund a year of study at a foreign institution to pursue a specific subject that requires contact with foreign scholars, libraries or other resources.  

Traveling Fellowship – up to $36,000
The fellowship will be awarded to a member of the graduating class who displays an interest in and an acceptance of others, and who displays the ethos of a Wellesley education.  It will fund a year of purposeful travel abroad to explore a particular interest with the requirement that the recipient not remain in the same area for more than two months.

Wellesley College Graduate Fellowships (WCGF—seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

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.

Apr 1, 2024

Quad Fellowship - direct application deadline

Eligibility: applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application be citizens or legal permanent residents of Australia, India, Japan, the United States, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam; have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a STEM field by August 2024; and have a demonstrated record of superior academic achievement at the undergraduate level. If applicants are currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD program, they may apply if they will be enrolled in a qualified academic program during their time as a Fellow (i.e., August 2024 - May 2025)

Research/Gradschool, International Student, Postgraduate

The Quad Fellowship will sponsor 100 exceptional American, Japanese, Australian, and Indianas well as candidates from the ten ASEAN countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam for master’s and doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to study in the United States. The fellowship will develop a network of science and technology experts committed to advancing innovation and collaboration in the private, public, and academic sectors, in their own nations and among Quad countries. The...

Apr 16, 2024

Wellesley College Art Department Mary Clothier Slade Graduate Fellowship - direct application deadline

Eligible: Applicants may be either graduating seniors or alums of Wellesley College, and must have been Art History or Studio Art majors or minors. Applicants must be enrolled in a degree-granting M.A. or Ph.D. program during the upcoming academic year to be eligible.

Research/Gradschool, International Student, Postgraduate

Wellesley College Department of Art Mary Clothier Slade Graduate Fellowship — The Slade Graduate Fellowship provides financial aid for graduating seniors and alumnae to pursue graduate studies in Art History and Studio Art.  Applicants may be either graduating seniors or alums of Wellesley College, and must have been Art History or Studio Art majors or minors. Applicants must be enrolled in a degree-granting M.A. or Ph.D. program during the upcoming academic year to be eligible. Applications are due...

Apr 8, 2024

Samvid Scholars - direct application deadline

Eligibility: applicants must be U.S. citizens or DACA recipients with an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher and planning to begin a full-time eligible degree program at a U.S. university in the academic year following application. Eligible degree programs are 2 years or longer, and one of the following: MD, MBA, JD, MPP/MPA, MPH, MS/MA in the social sciences or STEM. (PhD programs are not eligible.)

Research/Gradschool, Postgraduate

Samvid Scholars was established in 2021 by Samvid Ventures to invest in the graduate education of future leaders who are committed to effecting positive change in society.  Samvid Ventures will provide up to $100K in tuition support for students in graduate schools across the United States.

Samvid Scholars will empower future leaders and changemakers by providing financial support for graduate study as well as leadership training.Scholars receive up to $50K for tuition and fees each year for two years of...