Office of Nationally Competitive Awards

The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards supports UC undergraduates, graduate students, and recent alumni interested in applying for major external fellowships. NCA fosters the intellectual and personal development of UC’s student-scholars by facilitating a rewarding application process that encourages them to engage in rigorous self-reflection, cultivate strong writing practices, and define meaningful connections among their personal commitments, academic pursuits, and future goals.

This office administers UC’s nomination processes for awards like Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, Truman, and Goldwater; it also provides support for major awards that do not require endorsement. 

Upcoming Learning Series Registration


Critical Language Scholarship - Tuesday, October 3rd @ 12:30PM in Swift 708.

Gaither Junior Fellows Program - Monday, October 16th @ 12:30PM in Swift 702.

Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship - Tuesday, October 17th via Zoom.

Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program - Tuesday, November 14th @ 12:30PM in Swift 708.

Email nca@uc.edu with questions.

Upcoming Learning Series Sessions

October 3rd at 12:30PM in Swift 708: Scholarship and Session Details

A summer study abroad opportunity for American college and university students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world. Each summer, students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 languages that are critical to America’s national security and economic prosperity.

October 16th at 12:30PM in Swift 702: Scholarship and Session Details

The Gaither Fellows provide research assistance to scholars working in programs run by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace—a non-partisan foreign-policy think tank with centers in Washington D.C., Moscow, Beirut, Beijing, Brussels, and New Delhi. Positions are paid, full-time positions for one year. 

October 17th at 12:30PM via Zoom: Scholarship and Session Details

A two-year Fellowship program that funds an IT-related degree, internships, professional development and mentorship – culminating in an appointment in the Foreign Service as an Information Management Specialist (IMS). 

November 14th at 12:30PM in Swift 708: Scholarship and Session Details

A six-week summer program designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such careers. 


Upcoming Award Deadlines

  • National Deadline: Boren Fellowships: January 24, 2024; Boren Scholarships: January 31, 2024
  • National Deadline: January 16, 2024 @ 11:59PM ET
  • National Deadline: October 10, 2023 @ 5PM ET
  • Campus Deadline: December 1, 2023
  • National Deadline: January 15, 2024
  • Campus Deadline: October 18, 2023
  • UC National Deadline: January 22, 2024 (We require you to submit early)
  • National Deadline: January 26, 2024
  • National Deadline: November 2023
  • National Deadline: October 16, 2023
  • National Deadline: October 2023
  • National Deadline: October 26, 2023
  • National Deadline: November 2023
  • National Deadline: February 2024
  • Campus Deadline: November 8, 2023
  • National Deadline: February 6, 2024

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With UC, you see the world

September 19, 2023

Study abroad is back to 75% of pre-COVID levels at the University of Cincinnati, and a wide variety of international study options is available to students in any program. Where do you see yourself in the world?

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UC alum wins Samvid Scholarship

October 3, 2022

Samvid Scholarship recognizes Chinmay Bakshi, A&S ’21, as future changemaker after an extraordinary undergraduate career that focused on both research and public service

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UC students awarded critical language scholarships

April 4, 2022

Three students from the University of Cincinnati were announced as finalists for the Critical Language Scholarship this year. The CLS Program is a study abroad opportunity for American college and university students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world.

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Congratulations 2022-2023 Award Winners!

  • Kabelo ChirwaMusicology, Fulbright Study/Research (Nigeria)
  • Adam ElzarkaMedical Sciences; Liberal Arts, Fulbright Study/Research (Jordan)
  • Connor HerbertPolitical Science; International Relations, Fulbright-Durham University Award (United Kingdom)
  • Greg Muha, Electrical Engineering, Goldwater Scholar
  • Saba RehmanPolitical Science, Critical Language Scholarship (Arabic)
  • Katherine Schlaak, Materials Science, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP)
  • Lily StiefelAsian Studies, Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program 

2022-2023 Award Alternates & Finalists

  • Jane Cox, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Fulbright ETA Brazil (Semi-Finalist)
  • Anna Guan, Physiology, Fulbright-Garcia Robles Study/Research Mexico (Semi-Finalist)
  • Riley OwensPhysics; Astrophysics, Fulbright Study/Research United Arab Emirates (Semi-Finalist)
  • Ria ParikhNeuroscience; English, Fulbright-Imperial College London Award (Alternate)
  • Lily Stewart, English RPW; English LCS, Fulbright ETA Montenegro (Semi-Finalist)
  • Erin Tedtman, Political Science, Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Award (Alternate)

Please Fill out our Intake Form

If you are interested in being added to our database to be kept up-to-date on all info sessions and resources for the awards that interest you, please fill out our Intake Form.

Come to an Intro to Fellowships Session

Open to all students! Get an overview of the awards and how our office can help you apply!

  • Email nca@uc.edu to schedule an appointment.
  • Sessions can be held either on Zoom or in-person.