Service Fellowships

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Service is at the very heart of Wellesley’s motto, and fellowships can support all kinds of service in the world: in the U.S. and abroad; for undergraduates and graduates; with structured opportunities, placement with NGOs, or “build your own” projects. This resource is by no means exhaustive, but instead aims to provide an introduction to some of the most common fellowships as well as some helpful first steps. 

“The Truman application was a tremendous opportunity to reflect on my motivations, my values, and my aspirations in public service. The process was challenging and intimidating at times, but I came away with a greater confidence in my purpose and in my voice.”

"I reached out to several Wellesley alums and former Pickering/Rangel recipients to help me prepare for the finalist interviews and essays. If I can give advice to anyone wanting to apply for this fellowship in the future it is to do the same thing! I couldn’t have done this without their guidance and encouragement."

"I'm excited by the unknown. I'm not sure where I'll be or who I'll meet at these embassies, but I'm looking forward to the new experiences!"

“A strong Davis Projects for Peace proposal is always one that is grounded in a real knowledge of and investment in a community, providing a foundation that gives the student both inspiration and credibility as she strives to make real change.”

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to build community with other like minded people across the country who are dedicated to working on the same kinds of issues that I am.”

Udall Scholarship (sophomores & juniors)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Supports a year of undergraduate study for American Indians and Alaska Natives working on an array of policy issues in Indian country or interested in pursuing health-related careers, or for students with demonstrated leadership, service, and commitment to issues related to conservation and environmental issues. Eligible are college sophomores and juniors who are US citizens, nationals, and permanent residents. Campus application deadline typically in early February.

“I was motivated to fight for environmental justice in my community after hearing about the respiratory illnesses that many children were diagnosed with as a result of the environmental contamination we live with.”

Carnegie Junior Fellows Program (seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program supports a year's work at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC. Eligible are graduating seniors and recent graduates who are eligible to work in the US for a year. Campus application deadline typically in November.

Truman Scholarship (juniors)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation supports the graduate education and professional development of outstanding young people committed to public service leadership. This scholarship provides funding toward senior year and graduate school for juniors interested in a career in public service. Campus application deadline typically in November.

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.

Projects for Peace Alumni Award (graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

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. 

Projects for Peace (students)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Created in 2007 by Kathryn Wasserman Davis (Wellesley College '28), the Projects for Peace program offers undergraduates and graduating seniors funding to design a grassroots project for the summer of 2024—anywhere in the world — that promotes peace and addresses the root causes of conflict among parties. Projects may employ innovative techniques for engaging project participants in ways that focus on conflict resolution, reconciliation, building understanding and breaking down barriers that cause conflict, and finding ways to resolve conflict and maintain peace. Any current Wellesley student is eligible to apply. Campus application deadline typically in January.

Oct 7, 2024

Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship - direct application deadline for spring semester

Eligible: graduating seniors and recent alumnae with US citizenship/permanent residency or OPT/appropriate work permit.

Service, International Student, Postgraduate

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship Program invites recent college and graduate school alumni to apply for full-time, six-to-nine month fellowships in Washington, DC. Outstanding individuals will be selected to work with nonprofit, public-interest organizations addressing peace and security issues. Explore further details and the application HERE.

*Did you know? Lizamaria Arias '17 was a Scoville Fellow in Fall 2018? Read more...

Mar 31, 2024

Asian University for Women (AUW) Teaching Fellowship - direct application deadline

Eligibility: AUW welcomes all recent college graduates with strong academic and extracurricular records who share an unmitigated passion for women’s education to apply to this program. The candidates must be native-English speakers. (International and US citizens are eligible to apply!)

International Student, Travel, Service, Postgraduate

In light of looming uncertainties around the future of women’s education in Afghanistan, AUW aims to provide 500 new students from Afghanistan with a clear and fully funded path towards a university degree in the next several years.  By empowering 500 young women with the opportunity, leadership development, and academic training to enact their own visions, AUW believes this cohort will form a critical base for a future Afghanistan that will recognize women’s rights fully.

The...

Jan 6, 2025

Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship - direct application deadline for fall semester

Eligible: graduating seniors and recent alumnae with US citizenship/permanent residency or OPT/appropriate work permit.

Service, Postgraduate, International Student

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship Program invites recent college and graduate school alumni to apply for full-time, six-to-nine month fellowships in Washington, DC. Outstanding individuals will be selected to work with nonprofit, public-interest organizations addressing peace and security issues. Applications are especially encouraged from candidates with a strong interest in these issues who have prior experience with public-interest activism or advocacy.

*Did you know?...