Academic Opportunities
Awards, Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships
Elsie Stouffer '24 Scholarship
The Elsie Stouffer '24 Scholarship provides funding for graduate study leading to a career in public service in Latin America. For the purposes of this scholarship, "public service" is interpreted broadly, and includes work in the nonprofit, government, education, health, and other sectors.
Conditions of Eligibility
In order to apply for the Elsie Stouffer '24 Scholarship, you must meet the following conditions of eligibility:
- A member of the current fourth-year class.
- A woman.
- Fluent in French or Spanish.
- Commited to a career in public service in Latin America.
For more information and to apply, please see: Fellowships and Awards
James C. Randall '94 Memorial Fellowship
James C. Randall was a Spanish major who spent 13 months living and studying in Santiago, Chile, during his third year as a Grinnell Student. Jim’s experience in Chile facilitated his fluency in the Spanish language and greatly enhanced his awareness of, and interest in, the cultural and geopolitical environment in Chile and neighboring South American nations. Jim spent his summer vacation in Chile working with a program that constructed community facilities in rural villages.
The goal of this fellowship is to support a second- or third-year Spanish major or a Latin American Studies concentrator who wishes to carry out research or enhance a study abroad experience in Spain or Latin America. A wide range of projects and activities will be considered, though preference will be given to those who make a connection between their proposed activities and their academics in the project description. Applicants should submit a letter of interest of three to four double-spaced pages that details the individual’s plan, provides information on her/his preparation, explains how it relates to her/his interests and/or focus of study, and includes a brief budget. Each applicant should also submit a copy of her/his transcript. It is recommended that those planning to do service work or intern with an organization provide a letter from the group or organization that indicates their agreement with the plan. Fellowships will be awarded based on student achievement in Spanish and Latin American Studies courses, as well as the academic merit and overall quality of the project.
For more information, please contact Yvette Aparicio (Chair of the Spanish Department) or Valerie Benoist (Chair of the Latin American Studies Concentration).
Boren Scholarships
Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad 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.
More information: Boren Scholarship
Fulbright Grants
In general, there are two types of Fulbright grants:
- A Fulbright Full Grant, which funds one academic year of overseas study and/or research in one country
- An English Teaching Assistantship (ETA), which funds one academic year of teaching English in one country
Additionally, Fulbright offers several specialized grants, including Travel-Only Grants (which are usually given to graduate students, and only for Italy, Germany, and Hungary), Fulbright/mtvU Awards, Critical Language Enhancement Awards, Fulbright Business Grants (Mexico, Spain, and the Netherlands), Fulbright Journalism Grants, and country-specific awards to Australia, Ireland (Irish Language), Italy (slow foods and Deaf studies), Mexico (graduate degree and public policy); and the Netherlands (water management).
More information: Fulbright
Application: Fulbright Application
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are highly competitive full-cost awards for full-time graduate study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.
More information: Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Application: Gates Cambridge Application
Gilman Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad.
More information: Gilman Scholarship
Application: Gilman Scholarship Application
Marshall Scholarships
Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Up to forty Scholars are selected each year to study at graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study.
More information: Marshall Scholarship
Application: Marshall Scholarship Application
Mitchell Scholarship
The Mitchell Scholarship Program, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.
Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are chosen annually for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
More information: Mitchell Scholarship
Application: Mitchell Scholarship Application
Rhodes Scholarships
Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest international educational fellowships, were initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, and bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to the University of Oxford.
More information: Rhodes Scholarships
Application: Rhodes Scholarship Application
Activities and Organizations
SEPC
The Student Educational Policy Committee, or SEPC, is a student-faculty liaison group which provides faculty with student input on professors, candidates, curriculum, and other departmental issues. It also organizes social events within the department.