List of Top Nationally Competitive Awards
Check out these opportunities below, which represent some of the top nationally competitive awards available. Awards here offer research opportunities, experiences abroad, funding for graduate school, and more. Be sure to locate the information about eligibility and deadlines, as well as any awards requiring a campus endorsement, and follow the link below each summary section for further information.
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Amgen Scholars | Paid STEM & Biotech Lab Research at Elite Universities
- Fully-funded undergraduate research program in science and biotechnology
- Involves a summer research program at a top-ranked institution such as Caltech, Duke, Howard University, UCLA, or Yale, and includes presentation at research symposium
- Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residence, and must be sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors
- Requirement of 3.2 cumulative GPA and interest in pursuing a PhD or MD-PhD (not MD alone)
- Deadline: February 1st
- Recent Niner awardees: Jalen London (’24)
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange | Internship Program in Germany
- Fully-paid, year-long internship in Germany for 75 Americans up to age 24
- Consists of intensive German language training, a semester of classes in one’s academic or career field, and a 3-to-5 month internship in one’s career field
- Must be 18 ½ – 24 years old and a US citizen; needs to have strong interest in Germany and world affairs as well as relevant internship, work, or volunteer experience in field of interest. Prior German language skill is preferred but not required
- Deadline is November 1st
- Recent Niner awardees: Wilson Sawyer (’26) and Sonia Birla (‘25)
Critical Language Scholarship | Intensive Paid Language Training Programs Abroad
- An 8-week fully funded immersion scholarship program, focused on nations with languages viewed as “critical” by the US federal government. Host families and pre-departure workshop in Washington DC are part of the experience
- Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who are US citizens and passport holders are eligible to apply
- Deadline in November; repeat applicants encouraged to apply; no letters of recommendation required
- Recent Niner awardees: 2-time winner Lena Ayesh (’26) and Ellie McCutchen (’25)
DAAD-RISE | Summer STEM Paid Internships in Germany
- A summer research internship program hosted by STEM laboratories across Germany. Fields represented include Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Earth Sciences, and Engineering.
- You can apply for up to 3 projects each year; only one letter of recommendation required
- Eligible students are sophomore and junior STEM majors; prior research experience helps; German language skills not necessary as lab work is conducted in English
- Postings appear in October; deadline in late November
- Recent Niner winners: Mallory Schreiber (’27), Arnav Sareen (’27), Andres Vences (’25), Summer Prentice (’24), Abby McConnell (’23)
FAO Schwarz Fellowship | Two-Year Paid Public Service Fellowship in Northeast US
- A paid, two-year internship with a leading nonprofit organization in Boston, New York City, or Philadelphia. These organizations have established track records in addressing social inequity, particularly involving young people. Fellowship also includes retreats, trainings, and mentoring as participants prepare for a career in social impact.
- Must be a senior at the time of applying, and eligible to work in the United States.
- Deadline is in February; no letter of recommendations required
- Recent Niner finalists: Judith VanBoven (’23)
Fulbright U.K. Summer Institute | Fully-paid themed summer program in the UK
- Study abroad program in a 3- or 4-week themed institute in the UK. Themes have included areas such as technology and creativity, Black humanities, climate change and the environment, and identity and nationhood; sites are at universities in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Costs covered include airfare, tuition and fees, accommodations, and some meals
- Open to freshmen and sophomores who have not had substantial experiences outside of North America, and who have 3.7 GPA at least. Applicants must be US citizens in possession of a US passport, and at least 18 years old.
- Deadline in early February
- Recent Niner winners: Coral Hatch (’26) and Austin Stitz (’27)
Fulbright U.S. Student Program | Year-long paid post-graduate fellowship abroad
- Students can apply to any of a variety of Study/Research programs *or* English Teaching Assistant (ETA) positions in many countries around the world.
- Deadline for a campus interview is August 15th; national deadline in early October.
- Our campus Fulbright Program Advisor is Mr. Brad Sekulich (sekulich@charlotte.edu)
- Recent Niner winners: Annabelle Hill (’26) and Lena Ayesh (’26)
Gaither Jr. Fellows Program | Paid Policy Research Internship in Washington DC
- Fully-paid 1-year fellowship in Washington DC that consists of a research assistantship for policy scholars
- Junior fellows work with scholars at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, focusing on areas such as nuclear non-proliferation, democracy, climate, or regional studies (e.g., Asia, Middle East, or Russia)
- Applicants must be current seniors or recent graduates who are eligible to work in the U.S.
- Strong research background required
- Deadline is December 15th for campus endorsement; national deadline in mid-January
Gilman Scholarship | Study Abroad Scholarship for Pell-Eligible Students
- Award assists Pell Grant-eligible students with $5,000 – $8,000 support for a one-term study abroad program.
- To be eligible, students must be US citizens and undergraduates, and Pell Grant recipient at time of application or term of study abroad; student must study abroad for at least 3 weeks.
- Don’t miss the Gilman info sessions provided by Education Abroad
- Deadlines in both October and March
Goldwater Scholarship | Prestigious Scholarship for STEM PhD Seekers
- Single most important scholarship for undergraduate STEM majors who are seeking to continue research on to the PhD level. Consists of $7500 toward tuition.
- Juniors and seniors from all STEM (non health) majors are eligible to apply; must be US citizen or permanent resident
- Lab research experience is highly recommended
- Requires campus endorsement; campus deadline on December 15th, with the national competition’s deadline the last Friday in January.
- Recent Niner winners: Arnav Sareen (’27) and Ainella Rysbayeva (’24)
Harvard SVMP | A paid week-long Harvard Business School experience program
- A fully-paid, week-long experience at Harvard Business School that introduces high-achieving college students to what a high-level business school is like.
- Juniors and seniors of any major may apply; undocumented students may apply but international students are not eligible
- Applicants reviewed on basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and community impact
- Deadline in mid-March; program takes place in the summer
- Recent Niner winners: Bryan Lopez Villanueva (’25), Jaleah Ladson (’25), Sylvia Sriniwass (’25), Ryan Shah (’25), Sonia Birla (’25)
Institute for Responsible Citizenship | Internship Program in Washington DC
- A selective internship program for outstanding African American male college students in their second academic year of study, which takes place in Washington DC.
- Awardees participate in an internship in the field of their choice, seminars, and programs with high-impact people in high-impact fields.
- All majors welcome; no GPA requirement; students should have leadership and service experience, and must be able to make two-summer commitment.
- Deadline in mid-January.
- Several Niners have participated in Charlotte’s regional Institute program: C.J. Brown (’26)
Marshall Scholarship | Fully-funded Master’s degree in U.K. institutions
- Prestigious graduate scholarship for study in the United Kingdom (master’s level); applicants may select a graduate program at any of dozens of U.K. universities that are a convincing fit for the applicant
- Criteria for selection include: academic merit, ambassadorial potential, leadership potential
- Open to U.S. citizens with a U.S. issued undergraduate degree; GPA of 3.7 at least
- Requires campus endorsement; campus deadline is September 1st, with the national competition’s deadline in late September. Check for specifics.
- Recent Niner finalist: Annabelle Hill (’26)
National Science Foundation GRFP | Graduate fellowship for STEM majors
- Graduate fellowship of $37,000 for up to three years, for students pursuing graduate school in STEM and Social Science fields.
- Applicants seeking graduate degrees from top programs in their field will be able to make the most persuasive case for funding.
- Seniors and recent graduates may apply; US citizens or permanent residents eligible
- Deadline in October; for additional support at UNC Charlotte, contact Dr. Adam Reitzel (adam.reitzel@charlotte.edu)
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans | Graduate Fellowship for “New Americans” in Any Field
- Up to $90,000 awarded over two years to each fellow for the U.S. graduate program of their choice
- 30 awards granted each year
- Eligible applicants are “New Americans,” meaning immigrants or children of immigrants to the U.S., of outstanding achievement who wish to be change agents in their field of study
- Deadline in late October
Visit the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans website
Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship | Graduate Fellowships for PKP Members
- Fellowships ranging from $5,000 up to $35,000 for students entering their first year of graduate or professional study. Awards may be deferred up to 2 years.
- Applicants must be seniors, or recent graduates; they must be active members of the local Phi Kappa Phi chapter, and must have applied to enroll as a full-time student in a graduate program.
- Other eligibility criteria: international students are eligible; students registering in all professional and graduate fields are eligible; students should not hold other graduate degrees or have more than 10 graduate credits.
- Requires chapter endorsement, set by Phi Kappa Phi administrators; national deadline is in mid April.
- Recent Niner awardees: Galen Miller (’24), Claire Patrick (’22)
Project Horseshoe Farm | Post-Bacculaureate Paid Fellowship in Community Health
Rales Fellows @ CMU | Full-ride graduate STEM fellowship at Carnegie Mellon
- Fully funded STEM graduate program at Carnegie Mellon University (includes tuition, living expenses, and health insurance)
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients who are also applying to a full-time STEM degree program on CMU’s Pittsburgh campus
- Applicants must also have received a Federal Pell Grant or need-based financial aid as an undergraduate student, or are first-generation college students
- Deadline is in mid-December; requires short answers and one letter of recommendation
Rhodes Scholarship | Prestigious Graduate Fellowship at Oxford University, U.K.
- The single most prestigious graduate-level scholarship, for study at Oxford University in the United Kingdom
- Rhodes Scholars are selected on the criteria of outstanding scholarly achievements, character, commitment to the common good, and potential for leadership.
- Applicants must be graduating seniors, or recent graduates aged 23 or younger. US citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients are all eligible.
- No revising assistance is permitted on the essays, according to Rhodes Trust rules; the student must be the only author.
- Requires campus endorsement; campus deadline is September 1st, with the national competition’s deadline in early October.
- Recent Niner finalist: Megan Bird (‘21)
Schwarzman Scholars | Fully-paid 1-year Master’s Program in China
- A fully-funded, one-year Master’s program in Global Affairs, with a concentration in Public Policy, Economics/Business, or International Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
- Award includes travel, exchanges with global leaders, and mentorship.
- Applicants must have completed bachelor’s degree by August 1st of enrollment year; citizens/nationals from any nations can apply; internship, community service, and work experience desirable
- Deadline in September for US applicants
Scoville Peace Fellowship | Paid Peace-related Fellowship in Washington DC
- A six- to nine-month paid position in a nonprofit, public-interest organization in Washington DC dealing with peace and security issues; includes professional development funds and salary
- Key areas of interest include: nuclear nonproliferation, climate/security nexus, peacebuilding and conflict resolution; emerging technology threats; global health security
- Seniors and recent graduates who have background in peace and security issues are eligible to apply
- Application consists of CV, essays, transcripts, and 2 letters of reference; deadline is late February
Truman Scholarship | Graduate Scholarship for Public Service & Leadership
- $30,000 fellowship for graduate study in a field of public service (broadly conceived); only undergraduate juniors may apply
- Awarded on the basis of leadership potential, commitment to public service, and intellect and ability to excel in graduate-level education
- Applicants must be US citizens/nationals and current juniors, and must desire to go to graduate school (Ph.D., J.D., M.P.A., M.S.W; not M.B.A.) and to become a “change agent.”
- Requires campus endorsement; campus deadline is December 15th, with the national competition’s deadline in early February.
- Recent Niner finalists: Annabelle Hill (’26), Sonia Birla (’25) and Grace Cooper (’25), and Betsabe Rojas Gonzalez (’22)