Undergraduate Fellowships

A brief introduction to fellowships and scholarships

Fellowships and scholarships can open doors for you to things you might not be able to pursue otherwise.  They 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.

There are opportunities for students and alumnae of every nationality and at every stage of their careers.  Explore what might be the right fit for you, and don’t miss out!
 
Beinecke Scholarship

Supports two years of graduate study at a university in the US or abroad for those aiming to pursue degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Eligible are US citizens and nationals who are current juniors. Campus application deadline typically in January.

 

Click to learn more.

Boren Scholarships

Supports study abroad of less-commonly-taught languages in world regions critical to US interests, and underrepresented in study abroad. Study abroad programs of a year are preferred, but summer programs will be considered for students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Eligible are Wellesley first years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are US citizens. Campus application deadline typically in January.

*Wellesley students should seek advice about appropriate study abroad programs from the Office of International Study, although the Fellowships office is happy to offer advice on Boren Scholarship applications.
 
Davis Projects for Peace
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 2017—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.
 
Goldwater Scholarship
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 November.
 
Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program (MMUF) was founded to increase the diversity among minority faculty scholars in higher education.
 
A principal goal of the program is to increase the numbers of underrepresented faculty at colleges and universities across the country and beyond and to bring a wider array of perspectives and experiences to the academy.  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.
 
Eligible are Wellesley sophomores who are US citizens or permanent residents. Campus application deadline typically in early December.
 
NIST SURF
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) at NIST laboratories in Gaithersburg, MD, and Boulder, CO. 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 at Wellesley who are US citizens or permanent residents, majoring in chemistry, computer science, engineering, materials science, fire research, nanotechnology, information technology, mathematics, biology, manufacturing, statistics, or another STEM discipline.
 
Truman Scholarship

Provides mentorship and scholarships for graduate or professional training for students interested in pursuing public service careers.  Eligible are current juniors who are US citizens. Campus application deadline typically in November.

Udall Scholarship
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.
 
 

 
Idalmis Vaquero ’16 was named a 2015 Udall scholship for her commitment to environmental studies. For Vaquero, environmental advocacy means working to promote public health and a clean, safe environment in communities of color. “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,” she wrote in her Udall application. Click here to read the Daily Shot story.

Undergraduate Fellowships

Below, you will find a list of awards for which you must apply through Wellesley, but there are many more for which you can apply directly! For a fuller list, see our fellowships calendar. 
 
We're here to help, whether you're exploring options, looking for application feedback, or have specific questions. Email fellowships@wellesley.edu or call Mary Beth Callery at 781.283.2347. Kate Dailinger would love to talk with you. After reviewing the resources and/or coming to an info session or workshop, Schedule an appointment to continue the conversation.