Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships
Undergraduate Scholarships
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: Sinjae Hyun, School of Engineering
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Program was created to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering and to foster excellence in those fields. In awarding scholarships, the foundation's board of trustees will consider the nominee's field of interest and career objectives and the extent to which that individual has the commitment and potential to make a significant contribution to his or her field.
Mercer deadline: December 7, 2009
National site: http://www.act.org/goldwater/yybull.html
Boren Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: Anna Weaver, College of Liberal Arts,
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad for one year or more in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. Summer-only programs must be eight (8) weeks or more and are limited to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili.
Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Applicants should identify how their study abroad program, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, broadly defined. NSEP draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.
The NSEP Service Requirement stipulates that an award recipient work in the Federal Government for one year in a position with national security responsibilities. The Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or any element of the Intelligence Community are priority agencies. Boren Scholars must begin fulfilling the service requirement within three years of graduation.
Mercer deadline: December 7, 2009
National site: http://www.borenawards.org/boren_scholarship/basics.html
City Year
Faculty Advisor: Steve Brown, Associate Dean of Student Services and Director of Career Services
City Year unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors and role models, these diverse young leaders make a difference in the lives of children, and transform schools and neighborhoods in 19 U.S. locations and one in Johannesburg, South Africa. Just as important, during their year of service corps members develop civic leadership skills they can use throughout a lifetime of community service. Upon completion of the program, core members receive additional AmeriCorps educational benefits. If you would find a “gap” year of service attractive during your college career at Mercer, this may be the program for you.
City Year corps members serve on a diverse service team of 6-12 delivering in-school and after-school services during the program year. Each team has a unique focus, varying from a specific neighborhood to youth leadership and social issues.
Deadlines for application: November 15, February 15, April 15, or May 31.
National Site: http://www.cityyear.org/whatwedo.aspx
German Academic Exchange Service (DADD)
Faculty Advisor: Edward Weintraut, College of Liberal Arts,
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
Highly qualified undergraduate students are invited to apply for scholarships funding study, thesis research, and/or internships in Germany that are either independently designed or part of organized programs. Sophomore and juniors in all academic fields are eligible to apply for an Undergraduate Scholarship, InternXchange Summer Journalism Internship Programm, Research Internships in Science and Engineering, Study and Internship Program, and Bundestag Internship.
Graduating seniors or recent graduates are eligible for a Study Scholarship for Artists and Musicians, General Study Scholarship, Research Grant, German Studies Research Grant, Bundestag Internship, and Research Internships in Science and Engineering.
All applicants should be able to receive academic credit at their home institutions for their activity in Germany. Applicants must submit a language evaluation form; although for some opportunities, German language competency is not mandatory. Applicants should demonstrate an interest in Germany and explain how their time there will impact their future academic or professional goals.
Awards may be granted for a period of two to ten months during the German academic year.
Mercer deadline: contact Dr. Weintraut for deadlines for specific programs
National site: http://www.daad.de/portrait/en/index.html
Gilman International Scholarship Program
Faculty Advisor: Anna Weaver, College of Liberal Arts,
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
The Gilman International Scholarship Program aims to support a diverse range of students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to students interested in studying in diverse countries, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities. The program aims to encourage students in non-traditional fields of study to study abroad such as the sciences and engineering, though all disciplines are eligible. To be eligible, students must receive Federal Pell Grant funding at Mercer, not have studied abroad previously, and be admitted to an academic study abroad program. Additional funding may be available for students studying a critical language.
A follow-on project upon their return from abroad is required of award recipients to help promote international education and the Gilman Scholarship Program.
Summer programs of at least 28 days length are supported as well as semester-long programs.
Mercer deadline: contact Dr. Weaver for deadlines for specific programs
National site: http://www.iie.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Programs7/Gilman_Awards/Home8/Home.htm
GRO Undergraduate Fellowship
Faculty Advisor: Sinjae Hyun, School of Engineering
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering Greater Research Opportunities (GRO)Undergraduate Fellowships for bachelor level students in environmentally related fields of study.
Eligible students will receive support for their junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA facility during the summer between their junior and senior years. The fellowship provides up to $17,000 per year of academic support and up to $7,500 of internship support for the three-month summer period.
Mercer deadline: November 13, 2009
National site: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2010/2010_gro_undergrad.html
National Science Foundation Research Experiences
Faculty Advisor: Kevin Bucholtz, College of Liberal Arts,
Department of Chemistry
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program. An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution, usually during the summer. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. An REU Site may be at either a US or foreign location. Applications are made to specific REU Sites for participation.
Mercer deadline: December 7, 2009
National Site: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/index.jsp
Morris K. Udall Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: John Hintermaier, College of Liberal Arts,
Department of History
The Morris K. Udall Scholarship offers support to students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment; or Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy; or Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native American health care.
Mercer deadline: February 1, 2010
National site: http://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/MKUScholarship/MKUScholarship.aspx
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Scholarships
Faculty Advisor: Mary Kot, College of Liberal Arts,
Department of Biology
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi's ongoing commitment to excellence is reflected in its scholarships and awards programs. Four awards competitions are appropriate for Mercer University students: the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship, Emerging Scholar Awards, Study Abroad Grants, and Love of Learning.
Emerging Scholar Award
The Emerging Scholar Award recognizes outstanding rising sophomores studying at Phi Kappa Phi member institutions. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi will grant 60 awards in the amount of $250 to students who meet all the following eligibility requirements.: Attend an institution with an active Phi Kappa Phi chapter, have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale; have a minimum of 30 semester hours (or equivalent, excluding all AP, Credit by Exam, transfer credits, etc.) of academic credit; and have earned no more than a total of 60 semester hours as of July 14 of the year you apply (excluding all AP, Credit by Exam, transfer credits, etc.) during your post high school academic career.
Mercer deadline: May 1, 2009
National site: http://www.phikappaphi.org/web/Awards/Fellowship.html
Study Abroad Awards
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Fifty $1,000 grants are awarded each year. You are eligible to apply if you meet ALL of the following: you attend an institution with an active Phi Kappa Phi chapter; you have a minimum of 30 semester hours (or equivalent) and no more than 90 semester hours (or equivalent) by the deadline, including all AP, credit by exam, transfer credits, etc.; you have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.; your study abroad program begins between May 1 and June 30 of the following year; you have at least two semesters left at your home institution after the completion of your study abroad program; you have been accepted into an accredited study abroad program before February 11, 2009 and provide a letter of acceptance, on official letterhead, as part of your application. You should also consult with the director of International Programs, Eric Spears, before applying for this award.
Mercer deadline: December 7, 2009
National site: http://www.phikappaphi.org/Web/Scholarships/graduatefellowship.html
Truman Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: Lori Johnson, College of Liberal Arts,
Department of Political Science
The Truman Scholarship provides funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. Students must be college juniors at the time of selection. The Foundation also provides assistance with career counseling, internship placement, graduate school admissions, and professional development.
Mercer deadline: December 7, 2009
National Site: http://www.truman.gov/candidates/candidates_list.htm?cat_id=481