Other Sources of Financial Aid
The Political Science Department does not oversee or participate in the eligibility criteria, selection process, award deadlines or any other aspect of the financial aid resources listed here. Thus, the Political Science Department is only offering these contacts as a possible source of financial aid, without the ability to guarantee the outcomes of using these sources.
Running Start / Wal-Mart Star Fellowship Program
Running Start/Wal-Mart's Star Fellowship is an exciting new program that brings together college women from across the country to intern on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC! Each semester we will provide housing and place seven college women in offices to intern for a female Representative or Senator. We're looking for female college students who are juniors or seniors to apply. During the semester, the Star Fellow will intern Monday through Thursday in an office on Capitol Hill and then each Friday the Fellow will participate in a political seminar where they will learn the nuts and bolts of politics and the importance of running for elected office. Fellows will learn from top campaign strategists, consultants and other important movers and shakers in Washington. more...
ICPSR Undergraduate Research Paper Competition
The purpose of the competition is to highlight the best undergraduate student research papers using quantitative data. The objective is to encourage undergraduates to explore the social sciences by means of critical analysis of a topic supported by quantitative analysis of a dataset(s) held within the ICPSR archive and presented in written form. more...
Ralph Bunche Summer Institute
Named in honor of the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize winner and former APSA President, Ralph J. Bunche, the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute (RBSI) is a 5-week, academically intensive summer program designed to simulate the graduate school experience, provide mentoring, and expand academic opportunities for talented African American, Latino/Latina, and Native American students who are between their junior and senior year of college. The program provides an opportunity for undergraduates to develop their analytical, writing, and quantitative skills. The academic environment is challenging, yet supportive. Students learn what is necessary to be successful in a graduate program and a successful scholar. more...
Peace & Security Fellowship in Washington, DC
The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship was established in 1987 to provide college graduates 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 monthly stipend, the Fellows serve as full-time junior staff members at the participating organization of their choice. The program also arranges meetings for the Fellows with policy experts. Many former Scoville Fellows have gone on to prominent positions in the field of peace and security. To date, 111 Fellowships have been awarded. Applicants must be graduating seniors. more...
Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University
The Institute for Humane Studies was founded in 1961 by Dr. F. A. "Baldy" Harper, a former economics professor at Cornell University. Part of a generation that had lived through two devastating world wars and seen the rise of numerous totalitarian dictatorships, Harper set up an institute devoted to research and education in the conviction that greater understanding of human affairs and freedom would foster peace, prosperity, and social harmony. more...
Intercollegiate Studies Institute: William E. Simon Fellowship for Noble Purpose
The Fellowship is named in honor of William E. Simon. His life-long goal was to benefit the lives of his fellow men and women--he led a life of "noble purpose." The award is for students who share Mr. Simon's vision, so they may also strengthen the world around them. Applicants must be graduating seniors who embody Mr. Simon's passion to make the most of their talents. Students should demonstrate "passion, dedication, a high capacity for self-direction, and originality in pursuit of a goal that will strengthen civil society." Students should use the award to "engage directly in the civic life of their community, advance their expertise, or in whatever way they believe will contribute to the ultimate realization of their noble purpose." more...
The Leonard M. Rieser Fellowship
The Rieser Fellowship was created by the Board of Directors of the Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science (EFNS) in support of academic research or professional development in the United States or abroad. Students will be awarded whose academic interests, extracurricular activities, and career aspirations demonstrate an interest in the role of scientists in formulating public policy and in addressing global security policy challenges. The Fellowship has guidelines on what it can be used for. Any undergraduate student attending a U.S. college or university may apply. Students should be seeking to explore the connections between science, technology, global security, and public policy. more...
National Security Education Program: Undergraduate
The National Security Education Program encourages students to internationalize their education by studying in countries critical to U.S. national interests, but under-represented in study abroad. Emphasized world areas include: Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. The goal of the NSEP is to build a base of future leaders with the language proficiency and cultural understanding necessary to deal with global issues. All recipients of NSEP awards are required to seek employment with a federal agency or office involved in national security affairs. The program helps U.S. students gain language and cultural skills, as well as valuable work experience in the federal government. Applicants must plan to use the scholarship for a study abroad program that ends before the student graduates. Preference is given to students pursuing fields of study related to national security. NSEP undergraduate scholarships are not for study in the U.S. more...
U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Undergraduate
The mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recovery efforts from attacks that occur. The program is intended to ensure a diverse and highly talented science and technology human resource base to achieve the DHS mission and objectives. An off-campus research internship at a DHS-designated facility is required. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, attend an accredited institution in the U.S., and be a rising junior or senior expecting to graduate within two years of receiving the award. Students must be majoring in: physical, biological, social and behavioral sciences including science policy, engineering, mathematics, or computer science. The applicant should have career and employment goals aligned with the mission and objectives of DHS. Students must indicate a willingness to accept, after graduation, competitive employment offers from DHS, state and local security offices, DHS-affiliated Federal laboratories, or DHS-related university faculty or research staff positions. more...
Woodrow Wilson Foundation: Pickering (Undergraduate)
Description: The Woodrow Wilson Foundation offers the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs fellowship to students who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the U.S. department of State. After finishing their schooling, fellowship recipients work for the Foreign Service for a minimum of 4 1/2 years. Applicants must be US citizens, have at least a 3.2 GPA, and be a sophomore. Students should be talented in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. Students must commit to pursuing a graduate degree in international studies. more...
Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Program
The graduate fellowship program seeks outstanding students who are interested in pursuing a career in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State. The program supports students while they complete a two-year master's degree in international affairs or a related subject at a graduate or professional school approved by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center. The program includes a summer enrichment program (six weeks), two internships (one domestic and one overseas), a mentorship with a Foreign Service Officer, and a commitment to a minimum of three years of service. Graduating seniors or recent graduates are eligible to apply. Students must be U.S. citizens with a 3.2 GPA or higher. Consideration will be given to those with financial need. more...
Coro Fellows Program
The Coro Fellows Program is an intensive nine-month, full-time, graduate-level program.
It is unconventional by traditional academic standards, rigorous and demanding, and
it provides an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Fellows serve at
one of the following Coro Centers: Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and
San Francisco. The program includes field assignments (where each fellow works with
a government agency, business, political campaign, labor union, media organization,
and non-profit group), public service projects, focus weeks (allow the fellows to
sharpen their knowledge in a particular issue area or sector including an on-site
visit to the sate capitol), and seminars on Tuesday evenings and all day on Fridays.
A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required and post-graduate academic
and/or work experience is desirable. Most candidates have been active in civic or
campus activities. Evidence of leadership potential and concern for the well being
of communities are also criteria for selection. All academic disciplines and careers
are eligible to apply. more...
Fulbright Grants
The Fulbright Program was created by the U.S. Congress in 1946, immediately after World War II, to foster mutual understanding among nations through educational and cultural exchanges. Today the Fulbright Program enables students, artists, and other professionals to benefit from unique resources in every corner of the world. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a Bachelor's degree or the equivalent before the beginning date of the grant. Preference is given to students who mostly received their higher education in the U.S. Applicants may not hold a doctoral degree at the time of application, unless otherwise noted. more...
University of Hawaii/East-West Center
The East-West Center offers Graduate Degree Fellowship Programs for students interested in studying fields related to the politics, international cooperation, economic and social changes, and environment of the region. Students will pursue a master's or doctoral degree at the University of Hawaii. "The East-West Center is an internationally recognized organization established by the U.S. Congress to promote understanding and cooperation among the governments and peoples of Asia, the Pacific and the United States through research, education, and seminar programs." Applicants must also apply for admission to a graduate program of the University of Hawai'i, required tests include TOEFL and the GRE or GMAT as required by the department. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. more...
White House Fellows
Description: Fellows spend a year working as full-time, paid special assistants to senior White House Staff. Fellows also participate in an education program and trips to study U.S. policy domestically and internationally. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have completed undergraduate education and be working in their chosen field. more...
Annual Illinois State University Conference for Students of Political Science
All undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit papers on any topic related to government and/or politics for the annual Illinois Conference for Students of Political Science. All subfields and political perspectives are welcome. If you are interested in participating, please complete the online Proposal Sumbmisson Form or submit a cover letter, containing your contact information (including email address), your school, and the name of the faculty member with whom you are working, and a draft copy of your paper (or the actual paper). more...