Service Fellowships
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Projects for Peace is a global program that partners with educational institutions to identify and support young peacebuilders and changemakers. The program encourages young adults to develop innovative, community-centered, and scalable responses to the world’s most pressing issues. Along the way, these student leaders increase their knowledge, improve skills, and begin to see themselves as agents of change. Since 2007, Projects for Peace has worked with approximately 115 colleges and universities to support almost 2000 projects.
Projects for Peace (students)
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.
U.S. State Department Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship - direct application deadline
Eligible: rising juniors or alumnae seeking admission to an IT-related MA program; must be U.S. citizens with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.Eligible: U.S. citizens who are current sophomores in IT-related majors OR seniors/graduates seeking admission to an IT-related Master's degree program for next fall; applicants must also have a GPA of 3.2 or higher, fulfill the summer internship obligation (two summers), and be prepared to enter the Foreign Service.
Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship is a path to a career in the Foreign Service. This two-year fellowship provides undergraduate and graduate students with up to $75,000 in academic funding for an IT-related degree (junior and senior year of a bachelor’s degree or a two-year master’s degree). Fellows also get two summer internships (one in Washington, D.C. and one at an embassy or consulate abroad), professional...
Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program - direct application deadline
Eligible: seniors and recent graduates who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents.
The Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program is a social justice program that trains, inspires, and sustains leaders. Fellows gain field experience fighting hunger and poverty through placements in community based organizations across the country, and policy experience through placements in Washington, D.C. The program bridges community-based efforts and national public policy, and fellows develop as effective leaders in the movement to end hunger and poverty. Benefits include living stipend, housing, insurance, travel...
New York City Urban Fellows Program - direct application deadline
Eligible: seniors and recent graduates (having received BA between spring 2022 and spring 2024) who can demonstrate their eligibility to work in the U.S. (see website for details).
The New York CIty Urban Fellows Program is a highly selective, nine-month fellowship which combines work in Mayoral offices and City agencies with volunteer service opportunities and a seminar series that explores current urban issues impacting public policy. Program participants are diverse and come from all over the country to work in New York City. (Please note applications are due by 6:00 pm EST on the date of the deadline.)
Did you know? Looghermine...
FAO Schwarz Fellowship - direct application deadline
Eligible: seniors eligible to work in the United States for the duration of the Fellowship.
The FAO Schwarz Fellowship in social impact provides graduating seniors interested in careers in social change opportunities to develop their leadership potential and professional skills. Fellowship positions are paid, two-year experiences working at leading nonprofit organizations in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia both in direct service roles and in leading key program initiatives. In addition to salary and benefits, Fellowships include professional development, retreats, mentoring, and cohort experiences. Six or seven new Fellowship positions are typically...
Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship - direct application deadline for fall semester
Applicants are required to have completed a baccalaureate degree by the time the fellowship commences. Prior experience with public-interest activism or advocacy is highly desirable. The program is open to US citizens and non-U.S. citizens living in the US eligible for employment.
The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship, established in 1987, is a highly-competitive national fellowship program that provides recent college and graduate school alumni with the opportunity to gain a Washington perspective on key issues of peace and security. Twice yearly, the fellowship’s Board of Directors selects a group of outstanding individuals to spend six to nine months in Washington. Supported by a salary, the fellows serve as full-time junior staff members at the participating organization of their choice.
Scoville...
Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship - direct application deadline
Eligible: seniors and recent graduates (those who earned their undergraduate degrees between spring 2021 and spring 2024) who are U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program.
The Cleveland Foundation, the world’s first community foundation, launched the Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship program in spring 2016 to offer emerging young leaders from across the country the skills and networks needed to create the community they envision and jumpstart a career in public service.
This is a 12-month, full-time paid placement at a selected public sector agency or a nonprofit partner in Cleveland, providing meaningful career-related work experience. The fellowship includes a $44,000 salary with health benefits and a $1,000 signing...