Funding Resources

Fellowships through the Rice Center for Civic Leadership (CCL)


The CCL offers a range of fellowships that provide funding support for undergraduate international experiences.

 

The CCL also provides endorsement/ nomination for a number of post-graduate fellowships for work, study, or research overseas. Undergraduate students in their senior year are encouraged to consider these many opportunities.

 

 

Right image: Maya Harpavat, Wagoner Foreign Study Scholarship recipient, working with local families in India (Summer 2025).

Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) logo

**also available to undergrads

 

Undergraduate Fellowships Administered by the CCL


 

Abraham-Broad Exchange Fellowship | Click Here

Amici di Via Gabina Traveling Fellowship | Click Here

Brotzen Fellowship for Travel | Click Here

Goliard Fellowship for Travel | Click Here

Gottschalk Traveling Grant for Musicians | Click Here

Leebron Smyth Award for Language Study Abroad | Click Here

Rice in Country - Wagoner Research Pathway Scholarship | Click Here

 

 

Post Graduate Fellowships Administered by the CCL


 

Thomas J. Watson Fellowship | Click Here

Roy and Hazel Zeff Memorial Fellowship | Click Here

**Wagoner Foreign Study Scholarship | Click Here

 

 

Post Graduate Fellowships: CCL Provides Endorsement/Nomination


 

**Boren Awards | Click Here

Churchill Scholarship | Click Here

Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) | Click Here

Fulbright Research | Click Here

Fulbright Graduate Study | Click Here

Marshall Scholarship | Click Here

Michel David-Weill Scholarship | Click Here

Rhodes Scholarship | Click Here

Yenching Academy Fellowship | Click Here

 

Undergraduate Students:

Rice Funding Sources for International Experiences


 

Carefully review the eligibility guidelines for each funding opportunity before applying. Click the image squares to learn more!

External Awards

FEA Scholarships | Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)

https://fundforeducationabroad.org/apply/

FEA awards up to $5,000 for a fall or spring semester abroad, with a minimum of $1,000 for short-term programs.

FEA also has scholarships specific to certain demographic groups and study abroad destinations. FEA will determine your eligibility for each scholarship on the back-end—you just need to complete the one online application!

The mission of FEA is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students with financial need who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. Therefore, while all students with financial need are encouraged to apply for an FEA scholarship, preference is given to students of color, first-generation college students, and community college students.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship | U.S. Department of State

https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/program-overview/

Provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving a Federal Pell Grant to participate in study abroad programs worldwide.

The Gilman-McCain Scholarship | U.S. Department of State

https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/gilman-mccain-scholarships/

The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application (including Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps) to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship.

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) | U.S. Department of State

https://clscholarship.org/

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program provides fully funded immersive summer programs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages of strategic importance to the United States’ national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world.

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia | Institute of International Education (IIE)

https://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Freeman-ASIA

(Freeman Awards for Study in Asia) provides scholarships and is designed to support American undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are studying overseas in East or Southeast Asia. The program’s goal is to increase the number of Americans with first-hand exposure to and understanding of Asia and its peoples and cultures.

Grant amounts are $3,000 for summer study, $5,000 for a semester-long program, and $7,000 for a yearlong study abroad program.

The Bridging Scholarship | U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation

https://aatj.org/japan-bridging-scholarships/

Offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in semester or year-long study abroad programs in Japan.

ICCC Study Abroad Scholarships | Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston

https://www.iccchouston.com/scholarships/

The ICCC awards scholarships in the amount of $2,500 to college students participating in study abroad programs in Italy.

Undergraduate Korea Study Abroad Travel Grant | The Korea Society

https://www.koreasociety.org/education/study-abroad

This is a $2,000 ‘topping off’ grant for undergraduates, in good-standing, who plan or desire to study abroad in the Republic of Korea. The grant aims to help defray the high cost of travel to Korea and is intended to help those students for whom travel costs might prove challenging. The grant is awarded directly to the student.

Each year the Korea Society offers two competitions—fall term and spring term. Students must be engaged in full-time study for a full academic term (10 to 15 weeks). Shorter-term and/or summer term grants are not available.

The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship | Tortuga Backpacks

https://www.tortugabackpacks.com/pages/study-abroad-scholarship

The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world.

The winner of the Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship will receive:

  • $1,000 scholarship for studying abroad
  • 1 Tortuga brand travel backpack

The scholarship may be used for tuition, room and board, books, or travel. Funds will be sent directly to the winner's study abroad program or university.

Other Databases for Funding Opportunities

The Institute of International Education (IIE)

https://www.iie.org/scholarships-programs/?pag=1

Varying awards and other scholarship programs administered by IIE.

USA StudyAbroad | U.S. Department of State

Foreign Government Scholarships | U.S. Department of State

https://studyabroad.state.gov/foreign-government-scholarships

This page lists a range of international opportunities and scholarships for graduate students to consider.

The British American Foundation of Texas (BAFTX)

https://baftx.org/scholarship-summary

The British American Foundation of Texas (BAFTX) offers a range of scholarships and programs. These include:

  • The "International STEM" Award
  • The Undergraduate Award
  • The "Susan Howard Community Service" Award

DAAD-German Academic Exchange Service

https://www.daad.org/en/find-funding/scholarship-database/

Invites highly qualified undergraduate students to apply for scholarships funding study, senior thesis research and/or internships in German.

Go Overseas

https://www.gooverseas.com/scholarships/study-abroad-application

Scholarships are available to students currently enrolled in, or in the process of applying to, study abroad programs.

All Abroad US

https://allabroad.us/funding-study-abroad-scholarships.php

List of various study abroad scholarship opportunities listed

Post Graduate Opportunities

Princeton in Africa, Asia, and Latin America Fellowships | Princeton University

Each of these fellowships are connected to Princeton University but are open to graduating seniors and young alumni from any college or university accredited in the United States. The Princeton in Asia and Princeton in Africa programs are open to citizens of any nation; Princeton in Latin America is open to U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents only.

Princeton in Africa: https://www.princetoninafrica.org/applicants/how-to-apply/

Princeton in Asia: https://www.princetoninasia.org/fellowships

Princeton in Latin America: https://princetoninlatinamerica.org/pila-experience

Africa Leadership Accelerator Fellowship | Global Health Corps

https://ghcorps.org/africa-leadership-accelerator-overview/

Global Health Corps’ Africa Leadership Accelerator is a 9-month, hybrid program designed to strengthen the leadership and management skills of early to mid-career health professionals working across Sub-Saharan Africa.

CIEE Teach English Abroad (Spain, Korea, Thailand, Ireland) | CIEE

https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/work/teach-english-abroad

Teaching English abroad offers many benefits beyond just earning an income. It’s a chance to expand your worldview and grow your skillset. Some of the top benefits of teaching abroad include:

Cultural Immersion: Teaching abroad allows for deep cultural immersion. As a teacher, you'll build meaningful relationships with coworkers, neighbors, and new friends in the local community. This immersive experience will help you successfully work with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Language Learning: Teaching abroad is an excellent opportunity to learn a new language or improve your fluency by practicing in real-life settings. As you help your students learn English, you'll expand your foreign language skills. It's a win-win situation for everyone!

Personal Growth: Teaching English abroad can be a challenging but rewarding experience that will help you develop self-confidence, independence, and resilience. You will also form lasting friendships and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Professional Development: By teaching abroad, you will gain international work experience and transferable skills that will be valuable for any career. You will develop cross-cultural communication skills, foreign language proficiency, and leadership experience that will make you more competitive in the job market and successful in the workplace.

English Opens Doors Program (Chile) | Chilean Ministry of Education

https://ingles.mineduc.cl/english-opens-doors-program/

The English Opens Doors Program (Programa Inglés Abre Puertas) is an initiative supported by the Chilean Ministry of Education with the mission to improve the level of English for students between 5th grade and 12th grade throughout the Chilean public school system by providing teacher training, instructional materials, English immersion camps, extracurricular workshops for students and more.

The English Opens Doors Program seeks to foster a new generation of Chilean students equipped with the tools and abilities they will need to succeed in an increasingly globalized world. The Program includes:

  • Professional development courses for EFL teachers
  • English Teacher Networks
  • Summer and Winter English Camps
  • Extracurricular Workshops
  • National Volunteer Center

Gates Cambridge Scholarship (U.K.) | University of Cambridge

https://www.gatescambridge.org/programme/the-scholarship/

Each year Gates Cambridge offers full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 available in the International round.

The Gates Cambridge mission is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. It aims to achieve this mission by selecting outstanding scholars, providing them with financial and non-financial support at one of the world’s leading universities and facilitating community building at and beyond Cambridge.

Indo-Pacific Partnership Program/Research Fellowship (Japan, Australia, India) | The Japan Foundation

https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/project/intel/exchange/jfipp/research/

The Japan Foundation Indo-Pacific Partnership (JFIPP) Research Fellowship aims to build partnerships and intellectual networks in the Indo-Pacific region.

This program is designed to promote international research and collaborative activities on common policy issues that require cooperation and engagement within and beyond the Indo-Pacific region, with the purpose of contributing to the maintenance and strengthening of a free and open international order in the Indo-Pacific region, bringing about peace and prosperity to the entire region.

The program hopes to encourage a new generation of researchers, experts, and practitioners who share the same concerns to build a new platform for intellectual cooperation, and to support the formulation of new policy proposals, visions, and initiatives from the Indo-Pacific region with a long-term, future-oriented perspective to contribute to resolving the issues.

Applicants must be citizens of Japan, Australia, India, or the U.S.A., or must have at least five years of strong and serious professional experience at an institution in one of these four countries. Applicants must hold a Ph.D., the highest academic degree in their field of expertise, or a Master’s Degree with five or more years of professional work experience in a field related to their proposed research.

The JFIPP Research Fellowship is designed for multi-country research, and proposals must include at least two countries for research activities other than the applicant’s base country.

Japanese Studies Fellowship Program | The Japan Foundation

https://ny.jpf.go.jp/grants/grants-for-japanese-studies/fellowship-program/

This program provides support to outstanding scholars, researchers, and professionals in the field by offering the opportunity to conduct research in Japan. Projects must be in the humanities, social sciences, and/or comparative research.

The fellowship covers airfare, certificate of health, insurance, settling-in and departure allowances, monthly stipend,
dependent allowance and insurance, and enrollment fees.

Khmer Language and Culture Program (Cambodia) | Center for Khmer Studies

https://khmerstudies.org/programs/khmer-language-and-culture-program/

The CKS Khmer Language and Culture Program (KLCP) provides an opportunity for US & non-US faculty and post-graduate researchers to participate in an intensive eight-week study abroad program in Phnom Penh and a field trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The program is designed for those who wish to develop Khmer language skills and an understanding of contemporary Cambodian society for academic and professional purposes but have not completed two years of formal language training.

CKS will cover the costs of tuition, administration, and local travel on field visits for successful applicants to the KLCP program. The Khmer Language and Culture Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Scholar-in-Residence and Scholar Research Fellowships (Cambodia) | Center for Khmer Studies

1. Scholar-in-Residence Fellowship (https://khmerstudies.org/programs/scholar-in-residence-fellowship/)

The Center for Khmer Studies Scholar-in-Residence Program offers one long-term fellowship to support and encourage top-quality research and writing on Cambodian history, society and culture, politics, arts, economics, and other topics related to Cambodia, as well as to promote and facilitate the exchange of knowledge among scholars and practitioners at the Center for Khmer Studies (CKS).

This long-term fellowship provides a competitive remuneration to support one postdoctoral scholar/researcher who works at the Center as the Scholar in Residence (SR) for a period of 6 months to 1 year*.* Funding for this program comes from the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC). Only U.S. citizens may apply.

2. US Scholar Research Fellowships (https://khmerstudies.org/programs/us-scholar-research-fellowships/)

The Center for Khmer Studies (CKS) provides research fellowships to US scholars in all disciplines in the social sciences and the humanities who seek to pursue research focusing on Cambodia, or on Cambodia within a comparative regional (including Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, and southern China) or wider international context, provided that some portion of their research is undertaken in Cambodia.

CKS Research Fellows are given direct funding for their research and access to in-country resources and are provided with logistical support and contacts while in-country.

The Luce Scholars Program (Asia) | Henry Luce Foundation

https://lucescholars.org/

The Luce Scholars Program provides an individualized professional placement, along with language training and stipends, in an Asian country. The nationally competitive program is intended for students who have had limited experience of Asia and who might not otherwise have an opportunity in the normal course of their careers to come to know Asia. Luce Scholars have backgrounds in virtually every field other than Asian studies, including but not limited to the arts, journalism, law, medicine, science, public health, environmental studies, and international relations.

Candidates must demonstrate an outstanding capacity for leadership, have a record of high achievement, and have mature and clearly defined career interests with evidence of potential for professional accomplishments. The Luce Scholars Program is experiential rather than academic in nature. Personal qualities such as flexibility, adaptability, creativity, humility, openness to new ideas, and sensitivity to cultural differences are as important as academic achievement.

Schwarzman Scholars (China) | Tsinghua University

https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/

Schwarzman Scholars is a prestigious one-year, fully funded master’s program in global affairs at Tsinghua University, one of the world's top universities. Designed to build a global community of future leaders, this program offers an immersive learning experience dedicated to leadership development.

Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) | Villa Albertine - The French Institute for Culture and Education

https://villa-albertine.org/frenchculture/frenchcultures/teach-english-in-france/

Each year, TAPIF places around 1,300 Americans into French public schools to work as English language teaching assistants for 12 hours a week. TAPIF works with France Éducation international (FEI) to place language assistants in classrooms of all ages across metropolitan France, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and La Réunion.

The seven-month contracts, which can be renewed twice (consecutively or not), enable young adults to gain valuable classroom experience, improve their French language skills, and immerse themselves in the francophone world.

The Lafayette Fellowship (France) | Villa Albertine - The French Institute for Culture and Education

https://lafayette.villa-albertine.org/

One year of master's level study in France for up to 30 outstanding American students. Open to both Francophone and non-Francophone candidates, the initiative will partner with top French higher education institutions that offer programs across STEM, the humanities, social sciences, and the arts, either in French or entirely in English.

In addition to their academic studies, fellows will take part in the French-American Leadership Program, a dynamic, year-long experience featuring lectures, masterclasses, site visits, and mentorship support, offering a 360-degree immersion into European innovation, culture, and policy.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree, under age 27, GPA of 3.7 or above.

The Lafayette Fellowship covers visa-related fees (pre-consular application, student visa, TLS contact appointment).

AKS Fellowship Program (Korea) | The Academy of Korean Studies

https://www.aks.ac.kr/ikorea/com/cmm/EgovContentView.do?menuNo=2010121000&lang=eng

The AKS Fellowship is a program designed to support researchers from overseas universities who major in Korean Studies and wish to reside in Korea to conduct academic activities related to Korean Studies. Applicants must be a candidate for or holder of doctorate degree.

Field Research Fellowship (Korea) | The Korea Foundation

https://www.kf.or.kr/kfEng/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=2222&cntntsId=1677

The Korea Foundation (KF) Fellowship for Field Research offers program support to provide eminent overseas Korean studies scholars and experts in relevant fields with the opportunity to conduct onsite field research in Korea and access relevant resource materials.

This fellowship is intended for overseas Korean studies researchers working in the humanities, social sciences, or arts and culture; OR overseas researchers with a plan to conduct research on an important topic that requires close cooperation with Korea.

Korean Language Training Fellowship | The Korea Foundation

https://www.kf.or.kr/kfEng/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?mi=2221&cntntsId=1637

The Korea Foundation (KF) Fellowship for Korean Language Training (KLT) provides an opportunity for foreign scholars & graduate students of Korean studies/Korean studies researchers, and those working in Korea-related fields abroad to learn Korean in an intensive language immersion program at a university in Korea.

Those involved in Korea-related research or work in the fields of humanities, social sciences, arts and culture and meet the following profiles may apply for the program. Applicants must be able to understand and speak basic-level Korean at least.

Blakemore Freeman Fellowship (Asia) | The Blakemore Foundation

https://www.blakemorefoundation.org/blakemorefreeman

Blakemore Freeman Fellowships are awarded for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters) of advanced level language study in East or Southeast Asia. Eligible languages are Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese. The Blakemore Foundation makes grants for study only at specific language programs.

The Blakemore Foundation is looking for individuals who will make significant contributions to their field. The ideal candidate is someone with stellar grades, outstanding recommendations, and a demonstrated commitment to the Asian country and language.

Superior candidates committed to careers in fields such as academia, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), international business, accounting, law, medicine, journalism, architecture, teaching, social or NGO work, and government service that will require professional fluency in that modern Asian language throughout that individual's life are encouraged to apply.

Blakemore Kingfisher Art History Language Fellowship (China, Korea) | The Blakemore Foundation

https://www.blakemorefoundation.org/blakemorekingfisher

Blakemore Kingfisher Fellowships are awarded for nine to twelve months of full-time, intensive language study of Chinese or Korean in East Asia to individuals who have demonstrated intent to pursue an academic career in Chinese or Korean art history prior to the 20th century. These grants are open to citizens or permanent residents of the United States and Canada and to foreign nationals studying in colleges or universities in the United States or Canada.

Fellowships are awarded to individuals who will make significant contributions to the study of Chinese or Korean art history prior to the twentieth century. The ideal candidate is someone with stellar grades, outstanding recommendations, and a demonstrated commitment to art historical scholarship. Candidates from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

For Chinese, the fellowship will fund study at the International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan (“ICLP”) or the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China (“IUP”).

For Korean, the fellowship will fund study at the Inter-University Center for Korean Language Studies at Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul National University or Sogang University.

Humanity in Action Fellowship (Europe, U.S.) | Humanity in Action

https://humanityinaction.org/fellowship/

In several cities across Europe and the United States, Fellows gather to study past, present, and future challenges to local communities.

The Humanity in Action Fellowships explore issues of social justice, human rights, remembrance culture, and civic engagement. Fellows first participate in an intensive three-week educational program. Each program is tailored to its location, featuring diverse experts, site visits, and community building. Thereby, Fellows learn about the host society’s present struggles to navigate dominant and minoritized cultures and identities, while also being inspired by what collective action based on intersectional solidarity can look like.

Fellows will also acquire practical skills and work on the development of an Action Project, their own civil society initiative. After the three weeks, they embark on implementing these Action Projects in their own communities.

Global Grants | The Rotary Foundation

https://my.rotary.org/en/knowledge-and-resources/resources-and-reference/global-grants

Rotary's Global grants support large international activities (including independent research and graduate programs) with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary’s areas of focus. By working together to respond to real community needs, clubs and districts strengthen their global partnerships. Rotary club sponsorship is required.