Public Service Awards

The Boren Awards

Boren Awardees learn critical languages through long-term (typically, 25+ weeks) study abroad experiences and represent a variety of academic and professional disciplines. The award is open to continuing students of all academic levels, with undergraduate awardees being termed Boren Scholars and graduate student awardees being termed Boren Fellows.

Applicants identify how their study abroad programs or overseas projects, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, recognizing the scope of national security includes not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of a global society, including sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.

Explore Boren Awards.

Campus Deadline:

Late Fall 2024

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship recognizes future leaders in environmental, Tribal public policy, and healthcare fields.

Applicants must be second or third-year undergraduates and fall into one of two categories:

A demonstrated commitment to the environment and stewardship of public lands
A demonstrated commitment to issues of Tribal governance or health care in the United States.

UF may annually endorse up to four applicants in each of the two above categories for the national competition.

Explore the Udall Scholarship.

Campus Deadline:

Early Spring 2025

The Truman Scholarship

This award is for third-year undergraduates who plan to pursue careers in public service and further their education beyond a Bachelor’s degree. Scholars are awarded generous funding for several years of graduate and/or professional school and access to a network of leading public servants.

Applicants should be active in community service, campus involvement, leadership, and/or various levels of government.

Explore the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.

Campus Deadline:

Mid-Fall 2024

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program was created in the aftermath of World War II as a means of fostering mutual understanding between nations and cultures. Over 75 years later, nearly 140 countries conduct cultural exchange with the U.S. through this prestigious program.

The U.S. Student Program has three main grant types:

English teaching
Earning a graduate degree
Forming an independent research project

All Fulbright grants cover travel and a living stipend, though additional grant offerings are on a grant-by-grant basis. Applicant qualifications (degree level, any knowledge of host language, etc.) are also on a grant-by-grant basis.

Applicants must meet the campus deadline in order to be scheduled for a feedback session with the campus committee. This campus committee is made up of UF faculty with Fulbright experience, ideally in the applicant's host country or nearby country. Applicants will regain access to their applications after the feedback session, allowing them to revise their applications based on feedback from the campus committee.

Explore the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Campus Deadline:

5pm ET on Friday, August 23, 2024

The Gaither Junior Fellows

Each year, through the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows program, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers one-year fellowships for graduating seniors (or applicants who graduated during the prior academic year) interested in political science and international policy.

Gaither Junior Fellows serve as research assistants to the Carnegie Endowment’s senior scholars, working on projects such as non-proliferation, democracy building, trade, US leadership, China-related issues, Russian/Eurasian studies, etc. Duties can include conducting research for books, co-authoring journal articles and policy papers, participating in meetings with high-level officials, contributing to congressional testimony, and organizing briefings attended by scholars, activists, journalists, and government officials.

Junior Fellows are hired for approximately one year and receive a full salary, transition funds, and benefits.

The projects and programs for this fellowship change each year and are generally announced by the beginning of November. To obtain the application, you must request it from the Office of Prestigious Awards.

Explore the Gaither Junior Fellows program.

Campus Deadline:

Mid-Fall 2024

The Payne Fellowship

The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks outstanding individuals interested in careers within the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Ultimately, Payne Fellows receive significant funding towards a two-year graduate program, hold internships (including overseas at a USAID Mission), and receive mentoring from current USAID Foreign Service Officers.

Applicants to the Payne Fellowship should also consider application to the Pickering, Rangel, and FAS International Agricultural Fellowships.

Explore the Payne Fellowship.

Deadline:

Mid-Fall 2024

The Pickering Fellowship

The Thomas R. Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State. Ultimately, Pickering Fellows receive significant funding towards a two-year graduate program, hold internships (including overseas at a U.S. embassy or consulate), and receive mentoring from current Foreign Service Officers at State.

Applicants to the Pickering Fellowship should also plan to apply for the Rangel Fellowship and consider applying for the Payne and FAS International Agricultural Fellowships.

Explore the Pickering Fellowship.

Deadline:

Early Fall 2024

The Rangel Fellowship

The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State. Ultimately, Rangel Fellows receive significant funding towards a two-year graduate program, hold internships (including overseas at a US embassy or consulate), and receive mentoring from current Foreign Service Officers at State.

Applicants to the Rangel Fellowship should also plan to apply for the Pickering Fellowship and consider application to the Payne and FAS International Agricultural Fellowships.

Explore the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellows Program.

Deadline:

Early Fall 2024

The FAS International Agricultural Fellowship

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) International Agricultural Fellowship seeks outstanding individuals interested in careers within the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Ultimately, FAS International Agricultural Fellows receive significant funding towards a two-year graduate program, hold internships (including overseas), and receive mentoring from current USDA Foreign Service Officers.

Applicants to the FAS International Agricultural Fellowship should also consider submitting applications to the Pickering, Rangel, and Payne Fellowships.

Explore the FAS International Agricultural Fellowship.