Funding Your Experience

A number of university and national scholarships and grants are available to help UMR students fund their experiences beyond the classroom.


Whether seeking funded internships or fellowships, grants to support mentored or independent research, or travel to present at conferences or to study abroad, there are a number of resources available to you.

Students should review the opportunities below and contact Jeffrey Ratliff-Crain for more information. Each of these grants and scholarships specifies areas of interest, skills desired and minimum criteria. All of the applications take time to prepare — give yourself weeks or months to assemble a strong application.

Research

    • Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides University of Minnesota undergraduates from every college, major, and discipline, the opportunity to partner with a faculty member on research or creative projects.
    • Raptor Research Fund cover expenses related to presentation of research/scholarship at conferences or similar. Highest preference will be given for travel expenses related to research/scholarly presentations followed by travel expenses related to data acquisition. Other expenses related to research or other scholarly activity would be considered only if funds permit and other sources have been explored.
    • Louis Stokes-North Star STEM Alliance (LS-NSSA) Program provides Scholar, Research, and Research Travel support for eligible students engaged in STEM research. The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) is an initiative funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF Grant #2409134) that invests in colleges and universities to aid student success to create a new generation of STEM discoverers for the national STEM enterprise. The program takes a comprehensive approach to the STEM Learning Ecosystem to impact STEM student development and retention..

Learning Abroad

While many of the best-known national scholarships, such as the Fulbright and Rhodes, are intended for post-graduate study, several provide funding for study abroad or research efforts for students while pursuing a degree.

There are a number of competitive national fellowships and awards for which UMR students can apply and compete. 

Scholarships and Fellowships for Current Students

Current students, first-year through juniors, can apply for several scholarships and fellowships that will help fund international study:

    • National Security Education Program (Boren) Scholarship supports a year or term of study abroad focusing on the importance of international experience and language-learning in education.
    • DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Study Scholarships and Internships  DAAD is for students interested in studying abroad in Germany. DAAD offers a variety of study and internship programs in Germany ranging from several weeks long to one (or two) academic year study scholarships or internships.
    • Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is for students interested in studying abroad. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens who receive Pell Grants and intend to go abroad for at least four weeks (must not be a summer-only program). Preference is given to those studying outside of Western Europe and Australia.
    • Freeman-ASIA Scholarship is designed to support US-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. The program’s goal is to increase the number of US citizens and permanent residents with first-hand exposure to and understanding of Asia and its peoples and cultures.
    • Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship is typically granted to sophomore or junior undergraduate students who intend to pursue a research career in natural sciences, mathematics or engineering. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a GPA of at least 3.0. 
    • Killam Fellowships to Canada is typically granted to sophomore or junior undergraduate students for one semester to one year of study in Canada. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and full-time students with exceptional academic records.
    • Morris K. Udall Scholarship is typically granted to sophomore or junior undergraduate students. Students must be pursuing a career related to the environment or be a Native American pursuing a career in tribal public policy or Native health care. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Post-graduate Scholarships and Fellowships

The following scholarships can fund a year or more abroad for continued study or research or help fund initial graduate school work. Students apply during their senior year for study to begin the following year after graduation:

    • Ford Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship for Minorities provides three years of support for individuals engaged in, or who will be engaged in, graduate study leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree. Deadline: fall term prior to the first year of use.
    •  Fulbright Scholarships provide grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs. A candidate will submit a "Statement of Grant Purpose" defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S. Preparation for next year begins in February.
    •  The Luce Scholars Program provides those with limited experience in Asian studies the opportunity to pursue a one-year internship in Asia. Deadline: late September.
    • Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom (UK). Up to 40 scholars are selected each year to study at the graduate level at a UK institution in any field of study. Deadline: October 1.

The Rhodes Scholarship is a postgraduate award supporting outstanding all-round students at the University of Oxford. The award covers all university and college fees, a personal stipend and airfare. Deadline: early October with the process beginning the preceding spring.

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