Honors College Announcements

Happy new year and new semester from OEF! We hope you're staying healthy and that your classes are off to a good start.

We're writing to put these external fellowship opportunities with winter deadlines out there to encourage you to pursue them. The OEF Director, Dr. Kim Germain, is available to meet with any students who know they're interested in pursuing the fantastic opportunities outlined below, as well as students who aren't sure but think these sound like something they'd be interested in.

OEF is here to guide you all the way through the process, so please reach out! And please contact us for advice sooner rather than later, because we're here to help you put together the strongest application you possibly can. It's never too early to start.

Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

Calling all students who have career goals related to environmental issues, whether in policy or activism or science! This scholarship is looking to elevate students committed to these issues, so if that's you, apply now!

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship is offered on a merit basis to current sophomores and juniors in any of 3 categories:

1) To students who have demonstrated commitment to the environment and plan to pursue careers related to the environment; or
2) To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy; or
3) To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care.

The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics.  The Foundation also seeks future Native American and Alaska Native leaders in public and community health care, tribal government, and public policy affecting Native American communities, including land and resource management, economic development, and education.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents and have at least a "B" cumulative GPA. 

Udall Scholars receive up to $7,000 towards tuition and other college expenses during the next academic year (2021-2022).  They also attend a four-day Udall Scholars Orientation in August in Tucson, AZ, all expenses paid, and will gain access to a nationwide network of environmental, Native American health, and tribal policy professionals. 

To apply for the Udall, you must be nominated by your undergraduate institution; it is not possible to apply directly. OEF coordinates the nomination process, and UIC has a campus deadline of February 1, 2021, for complete applications plus the required 3 letters of recommendation. After our nominees are selected, OEF will work with them extensively to revise and polish their applications before the national deadline of March 2, 2021.

OEF is here to advise students before then, and only OEF can register you as an applicant on the Udall website, so all interested students should contact us ASAP about that. Additional info on the Udall Scholarship website.

Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship

If you're pursuing an IT-related degree and interested in using technology solutions for the business of diplomacy, particularly if you are a member of an underrepresented group, the Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship (FAIT) could be your path to a rewarding career as an Information Management Specialist. This fellowship offers a truly unique opportunity, including financial support, mentoring and professional development.

To be eligible, you must be a US citizen who is either a current sophomore undergraduate majoring in a field relevant to IT (who will enter your junior year in Fall 2021) or a student/alum who is seeking entrance to an IT-related master's degree program to begin in Fall 2021.

FAIT Fellows receive tuition and stipend support for four semesters of academic coursework, up to $37,500 annually for tuition, room and board, books, mandatory fees and some travel expenses for your junior and senior year of undergraduate study at UIC or a two-year master’s degree in an IT-related field. Funds are intended to be used in two consecutive academic years, ending in degree completion. You'll also receive stipends, housing, and travel allowances for two internship experiences: one in Washington, DC, at the US Dept of State, and one at a US embassy or consulate abroad.

You can learn more about FAIT, and access the online application, on their website. The application is currently open, and closes at the deadline of February 1.

Fulbright UK Summer Institutes

The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes are a great opportunity for UIC undergraduates to experience a fully funded educational experience in the UK. Participants can explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK while experiencing higher education at a UK university in a 3- to 4-week summer program.

For summer 2021 there are 3 summer institutes at universities in the UK, each focused on a different topic. Applications will open in February. See their website to explore the available options and learn more: http://www.fulbright.org.uk/going-to-the-uk/uk-summer-institutes 

To be eligible, students must:

• Be a US citizen and possess a US passport
• Have had little or no study/travel outside of the US or North America ("little" ideally means 4 weeks or fewer during the last 5 years, and preference is given to students with no overseas travel)
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.7 (for 1st-years this means for the fall 2020 semester)
• Be at least 18 years old by the start of the program
• Be able to participate in the program in its entirety
• Have at least two years of undergraduate study remaining after the Institute finishes (i.e. sophomores are only eligible if they will spend a full 4 years at UIC)

The application will open on February 1 and will close on February 28. Although UIC nomination is not required for this opportunity, we encourage all interested students to seek advice from OEF in advance of the deadline.

Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program

The Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program is a 6-week program at Howard University 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.

First, the Program provides two courses and a seminar that focuses on enhancing knowledge and skills related to US foreign policy, economics, and writing. In addition, the Rangel Program introduces the participants to a wide range of government and non-government professionals who work on global issues and arranges visits to various institutions involved in international affairs. The Program covers the costs for tuition, travel, housing, and two meals per day. It also provides a stipend of $3,200.

To be eligible, a student must have at least sophomore status at the time of application, be a US citizen, and have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA. Deadline: February 9. See their website for the application and additional info.