Numerous scholarships and grants are available to University of Oregon graduate students. Students pursuing a graduate specialization in African studies can apply for funding through the following sources.
Fulbright Scholar Program
These awards are given by the US government and are open to students who have finished their bachelor's degree in any field. A student can propose to study in any country, on any topic. There are grants for research, teaching, and art projects. Types of grants and funding vary by country, but generally all living and travel expenses are covered during the six-month to yearlong fellowship.
Eligibility: Learn more about eligibility requirements.
Award: Fulbright full grants generally provide funding for round-trip travel, along with room, board and incidental expenses, based on the cost of living in host countries. Grants are awarded yearly. In most African countries, an additional stipend support is possible for dependents. There is no requirement to work for the US government after receiving this award.
How to apply: Applications are due to the UO in the fall for the next academic year grant cycle. Materials must be submitted by the campus deadline. Alumni who have not subsequently matriculated at another university may apply through the UO campus process.
Rotary Peace Fellowship
Each year, Rotary awards fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centers. Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace at one of seven designated universities around the world.
Eligibility: Students should have a bachelor’s degree and three years (or the equivalent) of full-time “paid or unpaid relevant work experience” at the time that the award begins.
Award: Fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.
How to apply: Applications are due anywhere from March to June, depending on local Rotary Club. The UO does not advise applicants for this award. For step-by-step application information, visit the Rotary website and contact the local (or your home district) Rotary Club for assistance.
SYLFF Grant Fellowship for International Research
SYLFF Graduate Fellowships for International Research
SYLFF Fellowships are awarded to approximately five Oregon University System master’s or doctoral students each year who display potential for future leadership in international affairs, public life, and private endeavors. Candidates are nominated by their respective graduate department/program and priority is given to nominations that exhibit strong institutional commitment (e.g. supplemental funding). Applications may be found online at the website above. For more information, contact the UO Graduate School at 541-346-2807.
Eligibility: Nominees must meet the following criteria.
- Matriculated doctoral student and should have passed the comprehensive exam or equivalent
- Enrolled in a program in the social sciences or humanities or pursuing multi-disciplinary research from a social science or humanities perspective
- Seeking to understand and/or transcend differences and bring about positive social change
Award: Sylff recipients receive annual scholarships of $15,000 to assist with educational and research-related expenses. Scholarship funds are dispersed in three equal installments over the academic year. On average, 7 awards in total are made annually across the three eligible institutions.
How to Apply: Departments are responsible for nominating student applicants. The complete nomination file must be submitted in hard copy form to the UO Graduate School (170 Susan Campbell Hall).
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) helps ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science and engineering in the United States and reinforces its diversity.
Eligibility: The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions. GRFP seeks to broaden participation in science and engineering of underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
Award: $37,000 annual stipend
How to apply: See website for step-by-step instructions and deadlines.
Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship is funded by the US Department of State and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The Department of State seeks a Foreign Service that reflects the diversity and excellence of our society. The Fellowship is designed to attract outstanding individuals from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career with the US Department of State.
Eligibility: Varies by program; see website.
Award: $32,000 annual stipend
How to apply: Varies by program; see website.
Boren scholarships
Boren scholarships are awarded to undergraduates studying abroad in world regions critical to US interests. Award recipients must fulfill a service requirement upon graduation, working for selected federal departments and agencies.
Eligibility: Preference is given to those pursuing studies of less commonly taught languages. Selection is based on academic merit. Applicants must be US citizens. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit draft applications to UO Study Abroad Programs for review at least one month prior to the UO deadline.
Award: The maximum award amount is $8,000 for summer, $10,000 for one semester, and $20,000 for a full academic year. Awarded annually.
How to apply: Application materials are on the Boren website.
Diversity Excellence Scholarship
The Diversity Excellence Scholarship (DES) recognizes the academic achievement and potential of students who, through sharing their varied cultural perspectives, will enhance the education of all UO students and the excellence of the university. Recipients of the scholarship will be expected to participate in community service opportunities to share cultural heritage, special skills and abilities, and diversity experiences.
Award: $6,500 for undergraduates; $9,000 for graduate students. Annual award is split evenly over fall, winter, and spring terms. The scholarship is renewable with the length of eligibility based on the recipient’s grade level at the time of awarding.
How to apply: Deadlines and processes differ by student status and grade level. Follow the steps outlined on the DES website.
Mills Study Abroad Scholarship
The Mills Scholarship supports UO students participating in any GEO or GEO-sponsored study abroad program. Approximately 20-30 students per year are awarded a $500 Mills Scholarship. Selection is based on financial need, academic merit, and a well-written scholarship application. The GEO Scholarships Committee will review applications
Eligibility: Students must meet the following criteria.
- Must be enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student at the UO
- Must ultimately be accepted to participate in a GEO-sponsored program
- Must have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA
- Must demonstrate financial need based on FAFSA/ORSAA. International students complete the ISSS/DGE Statement of Financial Need
- Must submit a well-written scholarship application
Award: $500
How to apply: See the Mills Study Abroad Scholarship page for up-to-date information and application dates.
FLAS fellowships
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Academic Year
FLAS fellowships are funded by the US Department of Education and are administered through university centers, to assist students in acquiring foreign language and either area or international studies competencies. African languages covered by FLAS include but are not limited to Arabic (in Africa), Swahili, Twi, Yoruba, Zulu. Undergraduates may only receive FLAS funds for study of a language at the intermediate or advanced level.
Students interested in receiving a FLAS apply directly to the centers. Current Africa centers include Boston University; Harvard University; Indiana University; Michigan State University; Ohio University; University of California, Berkley; University of Florida; University of Kansas; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; University of Pennsylvania (with Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College and Swarthmore College); University of Wisconsin, Madison; and Yale University.
Eligibility: Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Applications by students in professional fields are encouraged. Preference will be given to applicants with a high level of academic ability and with previous language training. Students receiving Academic Year Fellowships must be enrolled in full-time study for the duration of the FLAS award and must take one language course and one related area or international studies course each semester.
Award: $10,000 towards tuition for undergraduates; full tuition and fees for graduate students. This is an annual grant cycle but students can apply to more than one center simultaneously. Award benefits include a stipend plus some or all tuition and fees.
How to apply: Visit the FLAS website for up-to-date application instructions. Deadlines vary for each center but are usually in January for the following academic year.
Critical Language Scholarships
This scholarship is part of the National Security Language Initiative, a US government inter-agency effort to encourage Americans to study critical need foreign languages. This scholarship, from the Department of State, will provide funding for US citizen undergraduate, master’s and PhD students to participate in beginning, intermediate and advanced level summer language programs.
Students who receive the scholarship study at American Overseas Research Centers in eleven critical need foreign languages (Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu).
Eligibility: Award recipients for CLS Spark are selected on the basis of merit, with consideration for the following.
- Impact of participation
- Motivation
- Readiness and resolve
- Unique background and experience.
Preference will be given to veterans of the U.S. armed forces, and to applicants from states or institutions historically underrepresented in study abroad or in the CLS Program. Read more about the eligibility information at the CLS site.
Award: Scholarship awarded annually.
How to apply: Visit the CLS website for step-by-step instructions. Deadlines are typically early to mid-November.
Additional Fellowships
Students can also search for fellowship information related to African studies on the following websites.