Scholarship Information | Honors College

Endorsement Applications 2023-24

Endorsement Application Process For Spring 2023 (Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes, Schwarzman, Gates Cambridge, & Knight-Hennessy Scholarships)

- Applicant Information
- Application

Scholarship Descriptions

British Marshall Scholarships

Founded by the British government in 1953, these scholarships commemorate the humane ideals of the Marshall Plan. By offering up to 40 awards each year, the program brings future American leaders and decision makers to the U.K. for one or two years of study in any British university. Up to eight of the 40 scholarships will be for one year only. The Marshall Scholarship experience will enable students to understand and appreciate the British way of life and values, and will help establish long-lasting ties between the two countries at a personal level. Each award covers University fees, cost of living expenses, annual book grant, thesis grant, research and daily travel grants, fares to and from the United States and, where applicable, a contribution towards the support of a dependent spouse.

For more information, contact Kristin Bennighoff or consult Marshall Scholarship website

Rhodes Scholarships

Thirty-two scholarships to study at Oxford University for two years are assigned to the U.S. each year, two for each of sixteen groups of states (“districts”). The award is designed to pay the tuition of one of Oxford’s colleges and a living allowance. Applicants must have “proven intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard” and “show integrity of character, interest in and respect for their fellow beings, the ability to lead, and the energy to use their talents to the full.” They must also be admitted to a place at one of Oxford’s colleges before the award can be made.

General Guidelines

Candidates should be seniors (in last year) or recent graduates
Candidates can compete in either their state of legal residence or the state of their college attendance
Candidates must be endorsed by the University
Candidates need to be at least 18 but no more than 24 years old by October 1 of the year of application and be U.S. citizens

Students will be invited to submit a UD application based on their outstanding academic and co-curricular records. A minimum of a 3.8 GPA is required. A faculty committee will review the applications and select the University of Delaware nominees from among that group. Students will not be able to apply for these scholarships from the University of Delaware or receive an institutional letter of endorsement unless they have been selected as a UD nominee through the faculty review process.

For more information: contact Kristin Bennighoff or consult http://www.rhodesscholar.org/.

Truman Scholarships

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation expects to award between 75 and 80 merit-based scholarships to juniors who have outstanding leadership potential, plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service, and wish to attend graduate school. Truman Scholars participate in leadership development programs and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government. The scholarship provides up to $30,000, with $3,000 available for the student’s senior year and $27,000 for graduate studies. Scholars in one- or two-year graduate programs are eligible to receive $13,500 per year. Scholars in longer programs receive $9,000 per year for 3 years. One state scholarship will be available to a qualified resident nominee in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Islands cluster.

General Guidelines

Candidates must be full-time junior level students (that is, planning to graduate in the next, not current, academic year)
Candidates must compete according to their legal residence (address for tax filing purposes and voter registration)
Candidates need to be extremely active in public and community service, be committed to careers in the public sector, have outstanding leadership potential, and possess intellectual strength, communication skills, and analytical abilities
Candidates have to be nominated by the University (UD is allowed three or four), and finalists will be interviewed by a regional panel

For more information, contact Kristin Bennighoff or consult http://www.Truman.gov/.

George J. Mitchell Scholarships

The George J. Mitchell Scholarships were established in 1998 for students to attend one of the seven universities in Ireland and the two universities in Northern Ireland for one academic year of graduate study. As institutional balance will be a factor in the selection process, an applicant’s likelihood of being selected is increased if the applicant expresses a willingness to attend more than one of the eligible institutions. Prospective Scholars must have a “demonstrated record of intellectual distinction, leadership, and extra-curricular activity, as well as personal characteristics of honesty, integrity, fairness, and unselfish service to others that indicate a potential for future leadership and contribution to society.” The universities participating in the Mitchell Scholarships contribute tuition and room for the Scholar. In addition, each Scholar will receive a stipend of $11,000 to cover other necessary expenses for the term of study.

General Guidelines

Candidates must be U.S. citizens, between the ages of 18-29
Candidates must be endorsed by the University of Delaware
Applicants must include a thoughtful essay detailing their interests and aspirations, with specific reasons for wishing to study a given area of proposed academic work

For more information, contact Kristin Bennighoff or consult https://www.us-irelandalliance.org/mitchellscholarship

Knight-Hennessy Scholarships

Knight-Hennessy Scholars develops a community of future global leaders to address complex challenges through collaboration and innovation. Every year, up to 100 high-achieving students from around the world will receive full funding to pursue any graduate degree at Stanford, including the DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MS, and PhD programs, as well as joint- and dual-degrees.

General Guidelines

Applicants must apply separately to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program and to a Stanford graduate degree program.

For more information, contact Kristin Bennighoff or consult https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/

The Gates Cambridge Scholarships

In October 2000, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation of Seattle, Washington, donated $210 million to the University of Cambridge, England, to establish the Gates Cambridge Trust. The Trust provides full scholarships for graduate students worldwide (outside the United Kingdom) to study at the University of Cambridge. Scholarships may be held for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years, depending on the course of study. They are awarded solely on merit as the result of worldwide competition. Approximately 100 new awards will be made each year to students in the USA. In selecting Gates Cambridge Scholars, the Trust seeks students of exceptional academic achievement and scholarly promise for whom further study at Cambridge would be particularly appropriate. Students will need to provide evidence of their ability to make a significant contribution to their discipline, either by research, or by teaching, or by using their learning creatively in their chosen profession.

General Guidelines

A completed Graduate Application form (the University application form for graduate study).
A completed Gates Cambridge Scholarship Form.

For more information, contact Kristin Bennighoff or consult https://www.gatescambridge.org/

Schwarzman Scholarship

Started in 2015, the Schwarzman Scholarship funds a one-year Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Economics & Business, or International Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. Courses are taught in English. Designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders, the scholarship acknowledges that the success of future leaders around the world will depend upon an understanding of China’s role in global trends. Scholars will live and study together at Schwarzman College, a state of the art LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold certified facility on Tsinghua University’s campus. Applicants can be current undergraduates (who will have their Bachelor’s Degree before beginning the program) or alumni up to 28 years of age. The Scholarship is open to students from all over the world with an approximate breakdown of 45% from the United States, 20% from China, and 35% from the rest of the world. Up to 125 Scholars will be selected each year.

General Guidelines

A formal institutional endorsement is not required, but current undergraduates are required to have a letter of institutional assessment from the campus representative.

For more information, contact the Schwarzman Campus Representative, Kristin Bennighoff or consult http://schwarzmanscholars.org/.

Fulbright Grants (U.S. Student Program for Graduate Study, Research and Teaching English Abroad)

This large program, sponsored by the U.S. government, sends approximately 1,800 American university graduates to over one hundred countries to study, conduct research, or teach English at a school or university for one academic year. The program promotes cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding on a person-to-person basis. Fulbright full grants provide transportation, living maintenance, and health and accident insurance. In some countries, grants may also include a book/research allowance, full or partial university tuition, language instruction, and pre-departure and in-country orientation. Travel grants, available only for certain countries, supplement a non-Fulbright award that does not include travel. Competition is generally stiff for Fulbright Grants but can vary considerably depending on the country. (See statistics on the Fulbright website.) The national screening committee looks very carefully at each applicant’s Statement of Proposed Study and Personal Statement, looking for originality, academic and language preparation for the project, and any advance research he or she may have done on the resources needed in the host country to complete the project. For those applying for the English Teaching Assistantship, evidence of teaching or tutoring experience is important, as well as a demonstrated interest in the host country; prior formal study of education or pedagogy is not required.

General Guidelines

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a B.A. degree or the equivalent before the beginning date of the grant
Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in the written and spoken language of the host country to carry out the proposed study and to communicate with the people
Applicants must be in good health
University of Delaware applicants, usually in their senior year, need to submit their applications through the University’s Fulbright Program Advisor (see below)
University of Delaware applicants must be interviewed by a UD faculty panel

For more information, contact contact Kristin Bennighoff or consult the Fulbright official website: Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Critical Language Scholarships

The CLS Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for U.S. citizen students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid gains in lesser-taught languages. The Critical Language Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by American Councils for International Education.

For more information, contact contact Kristin Bennighoff or consult CLS Program website.

Boren Awards

An initiative of the National Security Education Program, the Boren Awards allow U.S. undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study less commonly taught languages critical to national interests. Awards of up to $30,000 are available for one year of study. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars and Fellows commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

General Guidelines

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or be naturalized before the start of their experience
Applicants must be planning to study a foreign language in an eligible world region
Applicants must be matriculated at an accredited U.S. institution or be applying to a graduate school
Applicants can not be citizens of the proposed destination country

For more information, contact contact Kristin Bennighoff or visit the Boren Awards website.

Goldwater Scholarships

These undergraduate awards in honor of Senator Barry M. Goldwater are made annually to rising juniors and seniors who have outstanding potential and plan to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. The program’s objective is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified individuals to those fields of study and research. Approximately 400 scholarships are awarded annually, the number per state depends on the number and qualifications of the nominees. The University is allowed to nominate up to four students in their sophomore or junior years. Each scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to $7,500 per year. Junior recipients will receive their award for two years, seniors for one.

To be eligible, a student must:

Plan a Ph.D. research career in academia, industry or government (Professional degrees focused on clinical practices and education careers are not eligible)
Have a 3.8 or greater GPA at time of application
be a current full-time sophomore or junior
have substantial research experience
be a United States citizen, resident alien or a United States national (UD students may apply regardless of their state of legal residence)
complete a pre-application (due around Nov. 15) that is reviewed by a faculty committee to determine if a student will be endorsed for the national level

For more information contact Lauren Barsky in the Undergraduate Research Program.

Beinecke Scholarship

The Beinecke Scholarship Program was established in 1971 by the Board of Directors of The Sperry and Hutchinson Company to honor Edwin, Frederick, and Walter Beinecke. The scholarship provides $34,000 towards graduate study (Master’s Degree or PhD) in the arts, humanities, and social sciences for students who demonstrate financial need. The University of Delaware is one of approximately 125 schools nationwide who can submit applications for the Beinecke Scholarship. 20 of these need-based scholarships are awarded each year. Candidates apply in their junior year (one year before graduation) and must submit a form signed by Student Financial Services which details the level of financial need. Institutional endorsement is required.

General Guidelines

Candidates must be a junior
Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens
Candidates must have a documented history of receiving need-based financial aid during his or her undergraduate years
Candidates must plan to enter a master’s or doctoral program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences.
Candidates must be endorsed by the University of Delaware

For more information and applications, contact the Campus Liaison, Kristin Bennighoff, or consult www.BeineckeScholarship.org .

Morris K. Udall Scholarship

The Morris K. Udall Foundation was established by the U.S. Congress in 1992 to honor Morris King Udall’s thirty years of service in the House of Representatives. The Udall Foundation is committed to educating a new generation of Americans to preserve and protect their national heritage through studies in the environment, Native American health and tribal policy, and effective public policy conflict resolution. Each year the Foundation awards approximately 80 undergraduate scholarships of up to $5,000 to American juniors and seniors in fields related to the environment, and to Native American and Alaska Natives in fields related to health care or tribal policy. Because environmental issues can be approached in a multidisciplinary way, the scholarship is offered to students from a broad range of disciplines. Candidates must have outstanding potential and study the environment and related fields. It is anticipated that the candidate’s plan of study will include coursework in ethics and public policy and/or public or community service experience in the area of the candidate’s career fields.

General Guidelines

Candidates must be sophomores or juniors
Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens
Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.00
Candidates must be endorsed by the University of Delaware
Applicants must include a thoughtfully researched essay

For more information and applications, contact Kristin Bennighoff or consult http://www.udall.gov/.

Alpha Lambda Delta Graduate Fellowships

Each year the national chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta freshman honor society awards one $7,500, seven $5,000, and fifteen $3,000 fellowships for graduate study. Any member of Alpha Lambda Delta who has graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.60 is eligible to apply. Graduating students may apply if they have achieved this average to the end of the first semester of their senior year. Applications will be judged on academic record, recommendations, and soundness of the stated project and purpose.

For more information and application forms, consult http://www.nationalald.org.