Center for
Undergraduate Research
and Fellowships
Jane Morris
Garey ST3, 610-519-5928
jane.morris@villanova.edu
http://curf.villanova.edu
Hanna Lee
Garey ST4, 610-519-8852
hanna.lee@villanova.edu
Prestigious Fellowships
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Graduate, deadlines in the Fall
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Rhodes
Marshall
Gates Cambridge
Fulbright
Undergraduate, deadlines in the Spring
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Goldwater
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Udall
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Sophomores or Juniors who are planning research
careers in science, engineering or math
Sophomores or Juniors who are environmental activists
Truman
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Juniors planning careers in public service
Rhodes Scholarships
(Online) www.rhodesscholar.org
32 grants awarded annually for two years of study at Oxford University.
Criteria: Literary and scholastic attainments; character, including
devotion to duty, unselfishness, and fellowship; moral force and the
instinct to lead; physical vigor as shown by fondness for sports.
Deadline:
Early October
Marshall Scholarships
(Online) www.marshallscholarship.org
Up to 40 awards for two years study in any British university.
Criteria: Distinction of character and intellect as evidenced by scholastic and other
achievements; potential to play a strong role in a British university. Applicant
should be prepared to present a definite program of study at specific universities.
EPA Marshall: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/applications/epa
NIH Marshall: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/applications/nih
Deadlines:
Early October
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
(Online)
One to three/four years tuition plus stipend for students working towards a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.
Criteria: Candidates must hold an “honours degree or its equivalent” and
demonstrate excellent academic achievement and scholarly potential.
www.gatesscholar.org
Deadlines:
Early October
Fulbright Grants
(Online)
http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html
1500 research, teaching assistantship, and internship grants
offered annually for a year or more abroad; competitiveness
depends on the country to which you apply.
Criteria: Feasible, well-defined project or course of study in a
specific country for which the applicant is well-prepared in terms
of academic background and language proficiency.
Deadlines:
October 18
Other Post-Graduate Fellowships
and Grants
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National Science Foundation – Nov. 15-22, by discipline
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NDSEG – December 17, 2010
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http://ndseg.asee.org/
Hertz – October 29, 2010
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Chemistry, November 18
http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201
http://www.hertzfoundation.org/
SMART-December 1, 2010
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http://smart.asee.org/about
More Graduate Fellowships and
Grants for Engineering Students
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Sustainability Fellowships
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AAAS Sustainability website:
http://sustainabilityscience.org/index.html
 Current:
http://sustainabilityscience.org/opportunity.html?Type=JU
 Full listing:
http://sustsci.aaas.org/files/Fellowship%20Programs%20v1.pdf
Teaching fellowships (information session in late September):
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http://www.teachforamerica.org/
http://www.kstf.org/fellowships/teaching.html
http://www.ucceproclaimers.org/UCCE/ieprograms.php
Other Undergraduate Opportunities
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Hollings (for sophomores in STEM, Science Education or
Science Policy) – Jan. 29, 2011
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SMART-Dec. 1, 2010
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http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/2010pages/scholarship.html
Critical Language Scholarship
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http://smart.asee.org/about
Department of Homeland Security (sophomores in natural
sciences, engineering, social sciences) – Jan 2011
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http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/Hollings_info.html
http://www.clscholarship.org/
Research
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Villanova Undergraduate Research Program: www.villanova.edu/uga
NSF REU’s: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/index.jsp
DAAD Rise: http://www.daad.de/rise/en/index.html
General Criteria
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Academic excellence
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Leadership
Service
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>3.7 GPA
Evidence of scholarly potential
Not just a list of resume builders – path
Program of study
Application Process
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CURF office
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“brain storm”
resume – critical path
General meeting
Preliminary
application
On-campus
interviews
The Application Process
General Tips
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Follow directions.
Answer questions accurately.
List activities that have sustained involvement quality not quantity.
Focus on activities in line with the award. Show
how you fit with the scholarship’s mission.
Focus on your leadership and contributions.
Make your contributions known.
Review and revise.
The Application Process
Honors, Awards & Activities List
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Not intended to be a resume
List pertinent activities, experiences, honors, awards,
prizes
Includes dates, brief description
List individualized – categories may include:
Honors, Awards, Prizes, & Scholarship; College Academic Honors
Research Experiences; Research/Work
Volunteer Services; Advocacy Work; Community Involvement
Extracurricular & Community Activities; Activities
Athletic Record, Athletic Distinctions
Experiences (work/internship); International Study
The Application Process
Essays
 Personal -- what you have done and how
those experiences have served to inform
your life and present/future choices
 Study/Research Proposal -- details of
course of study, your qualifications, how
it was chosen, and how it will help you
move closer to achieving career goals
Campus Writing Guides – CURF, Writing
Center, Advisors, Professors, Mentors.
The Application Process
Recommendations
WHO: Faculty, University Staff, Community leaders,
Members of the Clergy, etc., who:
 Have first-hand knowledge of your work,
 Can address different characteristics and strengths,
 Can write about you with confidence and enthusiasm.
PROVIDE LETTER WRITERS with copies of materials,
information about the award, previous work from their
class, project or program to refresh their memory.
Request at least one month before deadline date.
Be prepared for a rejection, especially if request is last
minute.
National Competitions
Ways to improve your chances with
prestigious national scholarships
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Develop oral communication/articulation skills
- Take a speech communication class
- Read avidly to improve vocabulary
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Cultivate your knowledge of current affairs - local,
state, federal, & world.
- Read daily national newspapers and journals
- Participate in current event discussion &
debates