James C Gaither Junior Fellows Program/Carnegie Endowment

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The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs.   ASSIGNMENTS: Gaither Junior Fellows provide research assistance to scholars working within Carnegie’s programs,. They have the opportunity to conduct research, contribute to op-eds, papers, reports, and books, edit documents, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, activists, journalists, and government officials Applications are accepted only from graduating college seniors or individuals who have graduated within the past academic year. No one will be considered who has started graduate studies (except those who have recently completed a joint bachelor’s/master’s degree program). Applicants should have completed a significant amount of coursework related to their discipline of interest. Language and other skills may also be required for certain assignments. The selection process for the program is very competitive. Accordingly, applicants should be of high academic quality. Qualifications for Gaither Junior Fellows may vary by program.   To apply, submit your completed application to UCLA's campus rep, Dr. Rebecca Blustein, by Jan 5, 2026. Application requirements: The application consists of applicant information (address, participating university, language skills, graduation date, etc.) along with five core components. A resume, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and your transcript. For the resume, we prefer that it be one-to-two pages, and it should reflect your research and writing experience as much as possible. For the personal statement, the applicant should discuss why you are applying for this job, what you hope to learn from it, how you think your experience and working style would serve you well as a research assistant, and why you have chosen to apply for the program you are applying for. For the writing sample, it must be three to five pages, and it may be either a completed work or an excerpt from a longer work. The writing sample must be accompanied by a brief explanation of now more than half of one page explaining why you chose that writing sample (note: the explanation is not counted towards the page limit of the writing sample). The writing sample can be on any topic, but we recommend that students submit a writing sample that is relevant to the program they are applying for either in subject matter or in style of analysis. For more information on what each Carnegie research program is working on, we recommend visiting https://carnegieendowment.org/programs-and-projects. For the transcript, please note that an unofficial transcript is preferred. For the letters of recommendation, these can be submitted by anyone whom the applicant wishes. We recommend that applicants choose recommenders who can speak directly to the applicant’s ability to write and support research projects.

The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs.

 

ASSIGNMENTS: Gaither Junior Fellows provide research assistance to scholars working within Carnegie’s programs,. They have the opportunity to conduct research, contribute to op-eds, papers, reports, and books, edit documents, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, activists, journalists, and government officials

Applications are accepted only from graduating college seniors or individuals who have graduated within the past academic year. No one will be considered who has started graduate studies (except those who have recently completed a joint bachelor’s/master’s degree program). Applicants should have completed a significant amount of coursework related to their discipline of interest. Language and other skills may also be required for certain assignments. The selection process for the program is very competitive. Accordingly, applicants should be of high academic quality. Qualifications for Gaither Junior Fellows may vary by program.

 

To apply, submit your completed application to UCLA’s campus rep, Dr. Rebecca Blustein, by Jan 5, 2026. Application requirements:

The application consists of applicant information (address, participating university, language
skills, graduation date, etc.) along with five core components.

A resume, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and your transcript.
For the resume, we prefer that it be one-to-two pages, and it should reflect your research
and writing experience as much as possible.
For the personal statement, the applicant should discuss why you are applying for this job,
what you hope to learn from it, how you think your experience and working style would
serve you well as a research assistant, and why you have chosen to apply for the program you
are applying for.
For the writing sample, it must be three to five pages, and it may be either a completed
work or an excerpt from a longer work. The writing sample must be accompanied by a brief
explanation of now more than half of one page explaining why you chose that writing
sample (note: the explanation is not counted towards the page limit of the writing sample).
The writing sample can be on any topic, but we recommend that students submit a writing
sample that is relevant to the program they are applying for either in subject matter or in
style of analysis. For more information on what each Carnegie research program is working
on, we recommend visiting https://carnegieendowment.org/programs-and-projects.
For the transcript, please note that an unofficial transcript is preferred.
For the letters of recommendation, these can be submitted by anyone whom the applicant
wishes. We recommend that applicants choose recommenders who can speak directly to the
applicant’s ability to write and support research projects.

Luce Scholars

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The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship program. It was launched by the Henry Luce Foundation in 1974 to enhance the understanding of Asia among potential leaders in American society. The program provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia for 15-18 Luce Scholars each year, and welcomes applications from college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals in a variety of fields who have had limited exposure to Asia. Students apply directly to Luce Scholars. The CSSE is available to advise. Eligibility: US Citizen or Permanent Resident Graduating seniors, recent graduates, or young professionals under the age of 32, or no more than three years out from receiving bachelor's degree As of 2022, candidates who majored in Asian Studies are now eligible to apply (a change from previous years!) Candidates who have spent 18 weeks or more (since beginning college) in one of the Luce-placement countries are eligible to apply to be placed in a country where they do not have significant experience Deadline: October 1, 2024 5pm ET

The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship program. It was launched by the Henry Luce Foundation in 1974 to enhance the understanding of Asia among potential leaders in American society. The program provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia for 15-18 Luce Scholars each year, and welcomes applications from college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals in a variety of fields who have had limited exposure to Asia.

Students apply directly to Luce Scholars. The CSSE is available to advise.

Eligibility:

US Citizen or Permanent Resident

Graduating seniors, recent graduates, or young professionals under the age of 32, or no more than three years out from receiving bachelor’s degree

As of 2022, candidates who majored in Asian Studies are now eligible to apply (a change from previous years!)

Candidates who have spent 18 weeks or more (since beginning college) in one of the Luce-placement countries are eligible to apply to be placed in a country where they do not have significant experience

Deadline: October 1, 2024 5pm ET

Schwarzman Scholars Program

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For Seniors or Recent Graduates interested in a one year MA program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Schwarzman Scholars study for a masters degree in Global Affairs. However, students with any undergraduate major are invited to apply. Alumni are eligible until age 28 (at time of application). Institutional endorsement is not required, but the CSSE is available to assist with applications. This is a global program that is open to students from around the world. There are two application timelines: students who hold Chinese passports have a deadline in May, and US/global applicants apply with a deadline in late September. Eligibility: candidates must hold an undergraduate degree by the time the program starts (you can apply at the beginning of your final year of undergrad); must be between 18-28 years of age; must be proficient in English. The program is looking for students with outstanding leadership abilities, exemplary character & integrity, academic aptitude, intercultural competency, open mindedness, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

For Seniors or Recent Graduates interested in a one year MA program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Schwarzman Scholars study for a masters degree in Global Affairs. However, students with any undergraduate major are invited to apply. Alumni are eligible until age 28 (at time of application).

Institutional endorsement is not required, but the CSSE is available to assist with applications. This is a global program that is open to students from around the world.

There are two application timelines: students who hold Chinese passports have a deadline in May, and US/global applicants apply with a deadline in late September.

Eligibility: candidates must hold an undergraduate degree by the time the program starts (you can apply at the beginning of your final year of undergrad); must be between 18-28 years of age; must be proficient in English.

The program is looking for students with outstanding leadership abilities, exemplary character & integrity, academic aptitude, intercultural competency, open mindedness, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Churchill Scholarship

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The Churchill Scholarship funds a year of graduate study in Engineering, Mathematics, or Science at Cambridge University. It is highly selective (16 students a year for the STEM award, plus two students selected for the Kanders Churchill Scholarship to pursue a masters in policy.) Open to US citizens who are in their senior year or within one calendar year after graduation. Candidates normally have strong GPAs and outstanding research records. UCLA can nominate two students each year. Our campus deadline is October 6, 2025. Applicants must apply concurrently to Churchill College, Cambridge. Per the Churchill Scholarship Foundation, we suggest that you submit your admissions application by the Gates Cambridge deadline on Oct 15, 2025. To apply for our nomination, complete your application in the Churchill portal and have your 4 recommenders upload their letters to the portal.  

The Churchill Scholarship funds a year of graduate study in Engineering, Mathematics, or Science at Cambridge University. It is highly selective (16 students a year for the STEM award, plus two students selected for the Kanders Churchill Scholarship to pursue a masters in policy.)

Open to US citizens who are in their senior year or within one calendar year after graduation. Candidates normally have strong GPAs and outstanding research records.

UCLA can nominate two students each year. Our campus deadline is October 6, 2025. Applicants must apply concurrently to Churchill College, Cambridge. Per the Churchill Scholarship Foundation, we suggest that you submit your admissions application by the Gates Cambridge deadline on Oct 15, 2025.

To apply for our nomination, complete your application in the Churchill portal and have your 4 recommenders upload their letters to the portal.

 

Truman Scholarship

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Truman Scholarship ($30,000) For juniors planning graduate study leading to a career in public service. Requires UCLA’s nomination. The committee's focus is on leadership and public service. Eligibility: open to both continuing and transfer juniors, but you must be a 3rd year undergraduate when you apply (third year undergrads with senior standing are eligible. Grad students are not). US citizen (or US national), or expect to receive citizenship by the time the scholarship is awarded. Committed to a career in public service. Strong record of leadership and service. To apply for UCLA's nomination, submit your completed application to the CSSE by Wednesday of Week 1 of Winter Quarter. You must contact CSSE Assistant Director Rebecca Blustein to obtain access to the Truman application portal. The application opens in the summer.

Truman Scholarship ($30,000) For juniors planning graduate study leading to a career in public service.

Requires UCLA’s nomination. The committee’s focus is on leadership and public service.

Eligibility: open to both continuing and transfer juniors, but you must be a 3rd year undergraduate when you apply (third year undergrads with senior standing are eligible. Grad students are not). US citizen (or US national), or expect to receive citizenship by the time the scholarship is awarded. Committed to a career in public service. Strong record of leadership and service.

To apply for UCLA’s nomination, submit your completed application to the CSSE by Wednesday of Week 1 of Winter Quarter. You must contact CSSE Assistant Director Rebecca Blustein to obtain access to the Truman application portal. The application opens in the summer.

Beinecke Scholarship

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For juniors planning graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Requires UCLA’s nomination. Campus deadline is March 7, 2025. The Beinecke Scholarship provides $5000 before beginning graduate school and up to $30,000 over the first two years of a graduate program. The committee looks for outstanding academic achievement and research potential. Candidates must demonstrate financial aid eligibility. To apply for institutional endorsement, submit your completed application via upload to Message Center(personal statement, CV, three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, and application form) by March 7, 2025. Your recommenders should submit or email their letters separately to Rebecca Blustein. Please note that this scholarship is restricted to undergraduate juniors only (determined by date of graduation). If you are a current graduate student, you are not eligible to apply.

For juniors planning graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Requires UCLA’s nomination. Campus deadline is March 7, 2025. The Beinecke Scholarship provides $5000 before beginning graduate school and up to $30,000 over the first two years of a graduate program. The committee looks for outstanding academic achievement and research potential. Candidates must demonstrate financial aid eligibility.

To apply for institutional endorsement, submit your completed application via upload to Message Center(personal statement, CV, three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, and application form) by March 7, 2025. Your recommenders should submit or email their letters separately to Rebecca Blustein.

Please note that this scholarship is restricted to undergraduate juniors only (determined by date of graduation). If you are a current graduate student, you are not eligible to apply.

Udall Scholarship

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For Sophomores and Juniors in one of two categories: students planning careers related to the environment or Native American or Alaska Native students interested in Native American Healthcare or Tribal Public Policy. The Udall Scholarship requires UCLA’s nomination. The committee looks for strong leadership and public service commitments. The scholarship is $7000. Contact UCLA's faculty rep Rebecca Blustein to get access to the application portal. To apply for our campus nomination, submit your completed application (your long essay may still be a draft) to the SRC by Feb 1, 2023. You may submit unofficial transcripts.

For Sophomores and Juniors in one of two categories:

students planning careers related to the environment

or Native American or Alaska Native students interested in Native American Healthcare or Tribal Public Policy.

The Udall Scholarship requires UCLA’s nomination. The committee looks for strong leadership and public service commitments. The scholarship is $7000.

Contact UCLA’s faculty rep Rebecca Blustein to get access to the application portal.

To apply for our campus nomination, submit your completed application (your long essay may still be a draft) to the SRC by Feb 1, 2023. You may submit unofficial transcripts.

Donald A. Strauss Scholarship

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The Strauss Scholarship ($15,000-- including a $7,000 scholarship and an $8,000 project grant) is open to sophomores and juniors. Provides funding to create your own public service project. As of the 2025 application cycle, the Strauss Scholarship no longer requires institutional nomination. Apply by January 27, 2025 at straussfoundation.org. We strongly encourage students to meet with our staff to discuss applications prior to submission.

The Strauss Scholarship ($15,000– including a $7,000 scholarship and an $8,000 project grant) is open to sophomores and juniors. Provides funding to create your own public service project.

As of the 2025 application cycle, the Strauss Scholarship no longer requires institutional nomination.

Apply by January 27, 2025 at straussfoundation.org. We strongly encourage students to meet with our staff to discuss applications prior to submission.

Michel David-Weill Scholarship

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The Michel David-Weill Scholarship provides funding (including living expenses) for outstanding UCLA Seniors to study for two years for a Master’s degree at Sciences-Po in Paris. Candidates must:
  • Be a US citizen currently enrolled as an undergraduate senior at an eligible Sciences Po partner institution
  • Have a 3.7 or higher GPA and be aged19-25 without a doctoral degree
  • Be accepted to an eligible Sciences Po master’s program
Prior knowledge of French is not required, as the majority of programs offered at Sciences Po are taught in English, with French tracks or bilingual tracks offered for some programs. Candidates are selected on the basis of their academic accomplishments and capacity for critical analysis as well as demonstrated history of leadership and a proven commitment to community. UCLA can nominate one student each year. You must apply concurrently to the MA program at Sciences-Po by late October.  UCLA's campus deadline is October 1, 2024. To apply for our campus nomination, submit your CV, transcript, personal statement, and writing sample to the CSSE by October 1.  

The Michel David-Weill Scholarship provides funding (including living expenses) for outstanding UCLA Seniors to study for two years for a Master’s degree at Sciences-Po in Paris.

Candidates must:

  • Be a US citizen currently enrolled as an undergraduate senior at an eligible Sciences Po partner institution
  • Have a 3.7 or higher GPA and be aged19-25 without a doctoral degree
  • Be accepted to an eligible Sciences Po master’s program

Prior knowledge of French is not required, as the majority of programs offered at Sciences Po are taught in English, with French tracks or bilingual tracks offered for some programs.

Candidates are selected on the basis of their academic accomplishments and capacity for critical analysis as well as demonstrated history of leadership and a proven commitment to community.

UCLA can nominate one student each year. You must apply concurrently to the MA program at Sciences-Po by late October. 

UCLA’s campus deadline is October 1, 2024.

To apply for our campus nomination, submit your CV, transcript, personal statement, and writing sample to the CSSE by October 1.

 

Goldwater Scholarship

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The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship for STEM researchers. It is open to sophomores and juniors who plan graduate study leading to research careers in STEM fields. $7500. Requires UCLA's nomination. Eligibility: US citizen or Permanent Resident, minimum 3.0 GPA, intend to pursue a research career in a natural science, mathematics, or engineering. To get access to the application, you must complete a "pre-application" (a simple registration step) on the Goldwater portal. It opens in September each year. Please contact Rebecca Blustein via Message Center ("Institutional Endorsement Materials") with questions. To apply for our institutional nomination, submit your completed application (full application, including the research essay) in the Goldwater portal by Thanksgiving. Email your unofficial transcript to Dr. Blustein.  Your recommenders should email their letters to Dr. Blustein directly.

The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship for STEM researchers. It is open to sophomores and juniors who plan graduate study leading to research careers in STEM fields. $7500.

Requires UCLA’s nomination.

Eligibility: US citizen or Permanent Resident, minimum 3.0 GPA, intend to pursue a research career in a natural science, mathematics, or engineering.

To get access to the application, you must complete a “pre-application” (a simple registration step) on the Goldwater portal. It opens in September each year. Please contact Rebecca Blustein via Message Center (“Institutional Endorsement Materials”) with questions.

To apply for our institutional nomination, submit your completed application (full application, including the research essay) in the Goldwater portal by Thanksgiving. Email your unofficial transcript to Dr. Blustein.  Your recommenders should email their letters to Dr. Blustein directly.