Beinecke Brothers Memorial Scholarship

Important Deadlines

• Internal Deadline: February 24, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
• National Deadline: March 28, 2025 at 2 p.m. PDT (5 p.m. EDT)

Potential applicants are urged to contact Prof. John Pennington or Jason Jeffrey before or immediately after winter break for advice. You must be available in person or by Zoom/email (if studying off campus) to revise your application between the internal deadline and national deadline one month later.

Purpose

The program seeks to encourage and enable highly motivated students to pursue opportunities available to them and to be courageous in the selection of a graduate course of study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Programs Funded

Master’s and doctoral degrees in the social sciences, arts, and humanities at any accredited graduate school. Degrees in the sciences and the professions (e.g. law, medicine) are not eligible. Social psychology is eligible, but not neuroscience. The Scholarship provides $30,000 for graduate study. Beinecke Scholars also receive $5,000 prior to entering graduate school to defray costs of application, moving expenses, etc.

There are no geographic restrictions on the use of the scholarship, and recipients are allowed to supplement the award with other scholarships, assistantships, and research grants. Scholars are encouraged to begin graduate study as soon as possible following graduation from college and must utilize all of the funding within five years of completion of undergraduate studies.

Eligibility

Juniors who are U.S. citizens or nationals, planning to pursue a graduate degree, with superior records of scholastic achievement, and who are currently eligible for financial aid.

Selection Criteria

A very high level of academic achievement and aspiration are important factors. The firmer the plans for graduate study, including knowledge of likely departments in which you want to study and even individuals with whom you would like to work, the stronger your application will be. The nominee’s eligibility for financial aid must be certified by the Financial Aid Office.

Application/Nomination Process

Pomona is one of approximately 100 schools invited to nominate one Junior each year.

Please submit the following materials, as a single pdf. document, to fellowships@pomona.edu with the subject “Beinecke Scholarship Application” by the internal deadline:

1. One page application form – select ‘How to Apply’ on Beinecke’s website to access it
2. Personal statement – see guidelines on Beinecke’s website
3. Names of three people who have agreed to write for you if you are nominated, and have agreed to be contacted for informal comments during our internal selection process
4. Updated resume (two pages max)
5. Unofficial transcript

Advisor for 2024-2025

• John Pennington

Official Beinecke Brothers Memorial Scholarship Website

Important Deadlines

• Internal Deadline: Wednesday, January 9, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
• National Deadline: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Purpose

The Boren Scholarship Program aims to strengthen our national security by helping educate U.S. citizens to better understand and more effectively communicate with other world cultures and languages. The goal is to build a critical base of future leaders, both in the marketplace and in government service, who have cultivated international relationships and worked and studied alongside foreign experts. The program also aims to equip Americans with an understanding of less commonly taught languages and cultures, and produce faculty who can teach these subjects.

Programs Funded

Emphasis is on less commonly taught languages and cultures; each year the Program posts a priority list but you may propose a location/language not listed. Study in Spanish and French is supported only at very advanced levels. Boren supports summer study for students early in their college careers, and up to a full year of study abroad for juniors and seniors. Study may be through an accredited program or, in some cases, may be independently organized.

Eligibility

U.S. citizens in their first through third year of college may apply. Applicants must finish the program abroad before graduation. Recipients incur a service requirement: they must make a good faith effort to gain employment for a period of time equal to the duration of their award, with any one of a large list of federal agencies. If a suitable federal job is not identified, award recipients may fulfill the requirement by working in the field of higher education in an area of study for which the scholarship was awarded. Note that Boren also offers awards for graduate study.

Application/Nomination Process

Applicants must be endorsed by their home institution, but there is no limit to the number of applicants Pomona may nominate in any given year. Applicants must first choose a study abroad program that they would like to participate in; the Boren Scholarship does not choose or recommend programs for applicants, but students are encouraged to consult with their study abroad office, faculty, and advisors. You must make the case that your immediate and long-term plans benefit the interests of the U.S. The application is available online. To apply, please complete the online application and hit “submit” by Pomona’s internal deadline. We will then contact you to review your application and set up a brief interview before putting your application forward to the national competition. Please also ask your recommenders to submit their recommendations to the Boren website by the internal deadline so that we can refer to them in our internal review process.

NSEP Boren Awards

Important Deadlines

• Internal Deadline: November 11, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PDT
• National Deadline: January 15, 2025

Purpose

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace conducts programs of research, discussion, publication, and education in international relations and U.S. foreign policy. The Endowment provides approximately 15 Junior Fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year

Programs Funded

Junior Fellows provide research assistance to Associates working on Carnegie Endowment projects, such as non-proliferation, democracy building, international economics, migration, and Russian/Eurasian issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for books, co-author journal articles and policy papers, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony, and organize briefings for scholars, activists, journalists, and government officials. Some Fellows work on Foreign Policy magazine. The award includes monthly compensation and benefits.

Eligibility

Graduating seniors or individuals who have graduated within the past academic year but who have not yet started graduate studies. There is no restriction as to major, but applicants should have completed a significant amount of coursework in the area of international affairs or economics. U.S. citizenship is not required; however, applicants must be eligible to accept employment in this country.

Selection Criteria

While there is no official GPA minimum, a very high level of academic achievement is expected. Applicants should also be able to produce an informed and well-crafted essay on one of several set topics in international relations. Essay topics change each year and are related to the projects to which Junior Fellows may be appointed.

Application/Nomination Process

A select list of colleges and universities, of which Pomona is one, may each nominate up to three candidates per year, provided one is

Partner institutions may nominate up to two applicants each year; a thrid applicant may also be nominated, provided they are from from a historically underrepresented group. Program materials, including new essay topics, are sent out in mid-October. The internal deadline is normally in mid-November to allow time for advisors to work with nominees over the winter break, since the national deadline is often before spring classes start.

Applicants must email the following materials, AS A SINGLE PDF document, to fellowships@pomona.edu with the subject “Carnegie Fellowship Application” by the internal deadline:

• 3-page thought piece
• 1-page personal statement
• 1-2 page resume
• Unofficial transcript
• A list of two likely recommenders

Learn more about the instructions for the essays.

Advisor 2024 – 2025

• John Pennington

Important Deadlines

• Preliminary Application Deadline: UK/Irish Preliminary Applications, located on SurveyMonkey Apply, are due June 26, 2024
• Internal Deadline: September 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PDT
• National Deadline: November 1, 2024 at 2 p.m. PDT (5 p.m. EDT)
  Note: Nominees must also submit their application to Cambridge University by mid-October (see details below).

Purpose

Each year, The Winston Churchill Foundation awards 16 fellowships that enable outstanding American students to study and do research in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering at the University of Cambridge, while residing and holding membership in Churchill College. Pomona is one of a limited number of U.S. colleges and universities invited to nominate two candidates each year.

The Foundation also awards two Kanders Churchill Scholarships annually in public policy, to help address the growing divide between science and science policy. The Kanders Churchill Scholars will hold a bachelor’s degree in science, mathematics, or engineering (either as a major or minor concentration) from any US college or university and will pursue a Master’s in Public Policy. Unlike the other Churchill Scholarships, there is no application to the Churchill Foundation. Instead, candidates state their interest in the Kanders Churchill Scholarship in their Cambridge application. Please refer to the Churchill Scholarship website for more details.

Programs Funded

Churchill Scholars enroll in one-year Master’s degree, certificate, or diploma programs in relevant fields. The Foundation’s website lists the most likely programs, but candidates may select other suitable programs offered at Cambridge. The Scholarship covers all tuition and fees at the University, accommodation at Churchill College, a generous living allowance, and some travel costs.

Eligibility

Applicants must be United States citizens due to graduate from college during the same academic year as the deadline or have graduated within the past 12 months before the deadline. Scholars must have a baccalaureate degree before the scholarship commences and have majored or minored in a STEM field. There is no minimum GPA, but most applicants have a very high average.

Selection Criteria

• Outstanding academic achievement – The Committee looks at achievement in STEM courses, especially in the major, as indicated by course grades and recommendation letters.
• Proven talent in research – Applicants in the sciences and engineering will demonstrate extensive laboratory experience, internships, or other related work, while applicants in mathematics will show substantial independent work or other projects.
• Outstanding personal qualities – Understanding the time commitment research requires, the Committee takes into account interests and achievements outside of research but does not favor any particular kind of activity.

Application/Nomination Process

Potential applicants should explore programs at Cambridge by discussing their plans with relevant faculty and research supervisors, following links on the Churchill Scholarship site, and reading course descriptions in Cambridge’s Graduate Prospectus. They should also review Pomona’s Researching British Universities guide, which discusses terminology used at British universities, types of programs, and related matters. Applicants, especially those pursuing a research course, are expected to have corresponded with a potential research supervisor before the internal deadline.

Applicants must also submit their graduate application to Cambridge University, listing Churchill College as their first choice. The Foundation strongly recommends filing the graduate application by the Gates Cambridge deadline in mid-October.

Internal Application

Completed drafts of the two Churchill application statements (Academic and Research History and Proposed Program of Study), a current resume and unofficial transcript, and at least two letters of recommendation must be submitted by the internal deadline to the Churchill Scholarship SurveyMonkey Apply site, which will go live September 3, 2024. Recommendations must be submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply (not emailed to the CDO) and may be in draft form; final versions on letterhead are required only for Pomona’s two nominees. Links to all application materials and instructions can be found on the Foundation’s website.

Letters of Reference

Four letters of reference are required from individuals directly familiar with the applicant’s academic or research work. Provide recommenders these instructions.

Potential applicants are encouraged to explore the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, the Marshall Scholarship, and the Downing Scholarship, all of which support graduate study at Cambridge. The Faculty Advisors listed below can advise you about the possibility of applying for more than one of these fellowships.

Advisors for 2024-2025

• Charlotte Chang
• Graydon Beeks
• Richard Mawhorter
• Richard McKirahan

Important Deadlines

• Preliminary Application Deadline: UK/Irish Preliminary Applications, located on SurveyMonkey Apply, are due June 26, 2024
• Downing Application Opens: September 30, 2024
• Downing Deadline: October 28, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Purpose

The Downing Scholarship supports a one-year educational exchange that brings one student who has been admitted to Downing College, University of Cambridge, to Pomona for a gap year and sends two Pomona graduating seniors to Cambridge for a one-year master’s degree or equivalent credential. The selected Downing Scholars live and participate as members of Downing College; each will be assigned a Graduate Tutor at Downing, have access to the Downing Middle Combination Room (MCR), and will be eligible to join all College clubs and societies.

Programs Funded

The Scholarship funds one year of study leading to the degree of Master of Philosophy or an equivalent credential (e.g. Part III of the Mathematics Tripos). Scholars may pursue ANY of the fields of study available within the University, not just those affiliated with Downing College. The Scholarship covers:

• Full tuition for a one-year course leading either to the M.Phil. degree or equivalent, or to a Diploma
• Room and board at Downing College for the duration of the Scholar’s academic program, not to exceed one calendar year
• The equivalent of one round trip ticket from the recipient’s home to London
• Any visa or passport expenses incurred for this endeavor
• A one-time expense allowance of $1500.00, adjusted annually for inflation

Eligibility

This is a special arrangement between Pomona and Downing College, so only Pomona seniors (regardless of citizenship) are eligible. Applicants may be December or May graduates, so long as their degree is conferred before August 1 in the year they would matriculate at Cambridge. Strong preparation for one’s intended course of study is critical.

Selection Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate: excellent preparation for their intended course, as reflected in grades, recommendations, and other related endeavors; the value of the proposed course in relation to future plans; the potential to contribute to Downing College and Cambridge during the year of study; and the ability to represent Pomona with distinction.

Application/Nomination Process

Applicants should consult relevant faculty or research supervisors, read course descriptions in Cambridge’s Graduate Prospectus, and review departmental websites when selecting their program of study. They should also review Pomona’s Researching British Universities guide which discusses terminology used at British universities, types of programs, and related matters. Note that you do not need to apply to Cambridge before applying for the Downing Scholarship unless your chosen course has an earlier deadline.

The Downing Application requires four items, all of which must be submitted to SurveyMonkey Apply.

1. Two faculty references for graduate study – References must be collected through SurveyMonkey Apply and may be in draft form. If you have already applied for other British scholarships, you may request two of the letters that have already been written in support of your previous applications.
2. Two Personal Essays – One describing personal and intellectual interests and attainments and another detailing the proposed academic program. Essay prompts can be found here: Downing Application Essay Questions.
3. Course of Study Essay – A research proposal for those applying for research courses, following the guidelines required by your department; OR a description of no more than 500 words of the taught/hybrid course you plan to undertake and the choices you might make within that course (e.g., modules you might choose, professors you might work with, possible final paper topics, etc.).
4. A current resume or CV
5. An unofficial transcript

Letters of Reference

Two letters of reference are required from faculty, one of which must be a professor at the Claremont Colleges. Recommenders should principally address the candidate’s academic preparation for their chosen course as well as their potential to contribute positively to Downing and Cambridge.

Potential applicants are encouraged to explore the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, and the Churchill Scholarship, all of which support graduate study at Cambridge. The advisors for UK/Irish awards can advise you about the possibility of applying for more than one of these fellowships.

Advisors for 2024-2025

• Charlotte Chang
• Graydon Beeks
• Richard Mawhorter
• Richard McKirahan

Important Dates

• Preliminary Applications: June 26, 2024. The Fulbright Preliminary Application, which is optional though strongly encouraged, is located on SurveyMonkey Apply. Submit by the deadline to receive summer advising.
• Internal Application: September 16, 2024
• On-Campus Interviews: September 23-27, 2024
• Final Deadline: October 8, 2024 at 2 p.m. PDT (5 p.m. EDT). Applications must be submitted through the Fulbright Online Application before the deadline (NO EXCEPTIONS). 

Applicants should also review Pomona’s Fulbright Handbook, which provides a detailed timeline as well as advice on: choosing a grant type/country, completing the application, writing essays, requesting recommendations/affiliations, and preparing for the campus interview.

Purpose

Fulbright’s U.S. Student Program seeks to promote international understanding by offering awards for one year of research, university study, or English language teaching abroad. Awards are available for most countries and regions around the world. The number of grants offered in each country varies from year to year. Check Fulbright’s website (updated every April) to see which and how many awards are being offered. Applicants can pursue one award (i.e., research, study, or language instruction) in one country per cycle.

Programs Funded

Fulbright offers two main award types: Open Study/Research, which supports a year of post-graduate study or independent research overseas, and the English Teaching Assistantship (ETA), which places grantees in schools overseas to supplement local English language instruction. Award amounts vary from country to country based on living costs, but normally cover transportation and living expenses, including health insurance. Language and orientation courses as well as tuition and books (if relevant) may also be covered.

Eligibility

Graduating seniors, graduate students, and any U.S. citizen who has not yet earned a Ph.D. may apply for the U.S. Student Program. There is no age limit, though the Program is intended for “young professionals,” loosely defined as under 30 years of age (for traditionally aged students). Candidates must be in good health and demonstrate sufficient language proficiency to fulfill their grant project.

Selection Criteria

Relevant academic/professional experience, project feasibility, language proficiency, and a convincing rationale (i.e., why this grant in this country at this time) are most important for selections. Both ETA and Open Study/Research require the same application (with some minor differences) and have the same deadline. All applicants must include plans for engaging with their host community separate from their grant project to facilitate cultural exchange.

For research grants, most countries require a letter by the national deadline from an affiliate: someone in the host country with the requisite credentials to support and provide an organizational “home” for your project. This is often a university but may, depending on the country, be a research institute, museum, NGO, or other organization. Affiliation rules vary by country, so review the grant page for your host country carefully.

For study grants, applicants must apply to their graduate program separately, often by a date specified on the grant page. Be aware that this date is usually earlier than the graduate program’s deadline. Typically, one’s university acceptance serves as the affiliation letter and may be provided after Fulbright’s deadline. Even so, candidates are encouraged to include a letter by Fulbright’s deadline from a faculty member at the intended university attesting to their credentials for and fit with the proposed graduate program.

Application Process

Step 1: Pomona offers a Fulbright advising program during the summer and fall. To participate, applicants must submit a Preliminary Application by June 26, 2024.

Step 2: After submitting your Preliminary Application, register with Fulbright by creating an account on the Fulbright Online Application. You’ll then receive information directly from IIE (the organization that administers Fulbright) regarding deadlines and webinars.

Step 3: For research grants, finalize your affiliate (adhering to the requirements on the grant page) and request a letter of support. Your affiliate and three recommenders should upload their letters to the Fulbright application system by 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 16, 2024. However, applicants can still participate in the Campus Review Process if some (not all) recommendations are missing.

Step 4: Work with your Fulbright Advisor to draft and revise your Statement of Grant Purpose, Personal Statement, and short answer responses. Stay tuned for workshops in September that will feature presentations, peer review, and time for writing and revising.

Step 5: By 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 16, 2024, complete a draft of your Fulbright Online Application and press “Ready for Campus Review.” DO NOT PRESS SUBMIT! A few days later, the CDO will return your application to “in progress” so you can make final revisions. 

Step 6: Sign up for a campus interview (look for an email with instructions). Be prepared to take suggestions from your interview panel and revise your application accordingly. Note that the interview is a supportive, not a competitive step. Fulbright is not an endorsed award, so all candidates may apply.

Step 7: Submit all of your materials through the Fulbright application system by 2 p.m. PDT (5 p.m. EDT) on October 8, 2024. We strongly recommend submitting before the day of the deadline to avoid any last-minute complications. Fulbright does not grant extensions, even for technical difficulties.

Alumni are welcome to contact us for advice and, if not currently enrolled in graduate school, may apply through Pomona provided they can submit all materials by the campus deadline. There is no disadvantage to applying “At Large,” which is the alternative for alums not enrolled in graduate school.

U.S. selection committees review applications in late fall and applicants are told in late January if they will be recommended for further consideration. Final selections are made in-country, with notification to candidates at various times from early spring through summer.

Faculty Advisors for 2024-2025

• Jack Abecassis (D1)
• Alfred Cramer (D1)
• Lenny Seligman (D2)
• Andre Cavalcanti (D2)
• Gibb Schreffler (D1)
• Michael Dierks (D1)
• Sam Yamashita (D3)

Important Deadlines

• Internal Application Deadline: TBA
• National Application Deadline: TBA

Purpose

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation offers these scholarships to provide a continuing source of highly qualified individuals for academic study and research in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and housing and food, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. Junior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of two years of scholarship support, and senior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of one year of scholarship support.

Programs Funded

Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and housing and food, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. Junior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of two years of scholarship support, and senior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of one year of scholarship support.

Eligibility

Sophomores and juniors who are outstanding students intending to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering may be nominated by the college.

Selection Criteria

Demonstrated superior scholarship and promise for future achievement in the eligible fields.

Application/Nomination Process

Faculty in Pomona’s science and mathematics departments nominate students. Students may not submit applications independently, however, sophomores and juniors with very strong academic records and who want to be considered for nomination should feel free to speak with their major (or likely major, for sophomores) advisor or department chair in early fall, after consulting the Goldwater website.

Advisor for 2024-2025

• Malkiat Johal

Important Deadlines

• Internal Deadline: To compete for Pomona’s nomination, students must submit the Marshall & Rhodes (U.S.) Internal Application through SurveyMonkey Apply by April 14, 2025 (see details below under “Internal Application”). This deadline applies to all current students (spring ’25 – spring ’26 graduates). Interested alumni should contact Jason Jeffrey (Jason.Jeffrey@pomona.edu) for instructions.
• National Deadline: TBA

Purpose

Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Up to 50 Scholars are selected each year to study at the graduate level at any UK institution in any field of study. The program was created to honor the ideals of the Marshall Plan, which aided the recovery of Europe after World War II.

Programs Funded

Scholarships support one or, more commonly, two years of graduate study in almost any field leading to one or two degrees at any UK institution(ies) of higher education. Applicants for the one-year scholarship must explain why they cannot remain in the UK for two years. The award can potentially be extended for a third year to complete a doctorate. Candidates should pay close attention to the policies for course selection, listed in the Rules for the Scholarship. Scholarships cover tuition and fees, airfare, living expenses, and related expenses.

Eligibility

Applicants must be citizens of the United States (at the time they apply); have earned their first bachelor’s degree before taking up the scholarship; have at least a 3.7 cumulative GPA; have not graduated more than two years before the year of application; and have not studied for, or hold a degree or degree-equivalent qualification from a British University or GCSE or A Levels taken at school in the UK.

Selection Criteria

• Academic Merit – Preparation for, knowledge of, and a clear rationale for the proposed courses of study, as evidenced in the application, transcript, and recommendations
• Leadership Potential – Evidence of initiating something and carrying it through to completion, particularly from a position of leadership. This could be through one’s intellectual or artistic contributions or in other ways.
• Ambassadorial Potential – A general understanding of the US/UK relationship as well as specific aspects pertinent to one’s field of study; evidence of transferable extra-curricular activities; and a record of building productive relationships in one’s field of expertise.

Application/Nomination Process

Endorsing Institutions may nominate a maximum of 24 candidates annually. Candidates apply either in the region of their undergraduate institution or their legal residence. In addition to transcripts and letters of recommendation, the application requires four essays: a personal statement, an academic plan, a leadership narrative, and one addressing ambassadorial potential. Regional committees interview selected candidates in mid-November and winners are announced soon thereafter.

The Marshall Commission helps Scholars apply to their academic programs of choice. Applicants should use Marshall’s Course Search as well as Pomona’s Researching British Universities guide to find suitable courses of study. Alumni applicants may be endorsed by Pomona or by an employer or another organization more familiar with the applicant’s post-graduation professional activities.

Internal Application

Applicants must be endorsed by Pomona before applying for the Scholarship. To be considered for endorsement, students must complete the Marshall & Rhodes (U.S.) Internal Application on SurveyMonkey Apply, going live February 14, 2025, by the internal deadline. The application consists of a form, which includes several short essay prompts, a current resume/CV, and an unofficial transcript. Three recommendations are also required – two academic and one leadership – which must be submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply (not emailed to the CDO). Nomination is determined by a faculty committee based on the candidate’s written application, including recommendations, as well as an interview.

Letters of Reference

Three letters of reference are required: a “preferred” recommendation from someone who has supervised the applicant’s college training (normally one’s Academic Advisor); a general recommendation from an academic; and a recommendation that primarily addresses one’s leadership and ambassadorial potential. Refer recommenders to Pomona’s recommendation guide for Marshall.

Advisors for 2024-2025

• Charlotte Chang
• Graydon Beeks
• Richard Mawhorter
• Richard McKirahan

Important Deadlines

The George J. Mitchell Scholarship has been suspended. Please refer to their website for additional details.

Purpose

Established in honor of former U.S. Senator George J. Mitchell, who served as Chairman of the peace negotiations in Northern Ireland, the goal of the Mitchell Scholarships is 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 public service and community.

Programs Funded

The fellowship supports study for a one-year master’s degree for up to twelve Mitchell Scholars each year in the institutions of higher learning in Ireland (seven universities in the Republic of Ireland and two universities in Northern Ireland) for one academic year. Awards include tuition, housing, a living expenses stipend and support for round-trip airfare. An additional stipend supports local travel to explore Ireland and develop an understanding of relationships between the island and its European neighbors.

Eligibility

U.S. citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 who will have completed a Bachelor’s degree before beginning their studies in Ireland may apply. There are no restrictions as to academic field of study except that the applicant’s undergraduate program must provide sufficient basis for study in the proposed field.

Selection Criteria

Prospective Scholars must demonstrate a record of intellectual distinction, leadership, and extra-curricular activity, as well as personal characteristics of honesty, integrity, fairness, and unselfish service to others which indicate a potential for future leadership and contribution to society. The small size and frequent activities of the Mitchell Scholars group in any given year means that potential to be an active and contributing member of the group, as well as the ability to flourish as perhaps the only Mitchell scholar at one’s Irish university, is important. 

Application/Nomination Process

Applicants must be endorsed by Pomona before officially applying for the Scholarship. Directions for seeking endorsement will be posted here should the Scholarship be renewed.

Letters of Reference

Four letters of reference are required, which cannot exceed 750 words. Refer recommenders to Pomona’s recommendation guide for Mitchell.

Advisors for 2024-2025

• Charlotte Chang
• Graydon Beeks
• Richard Mawhorter
• Richard McKirahan

Important Deadlines

• Internal Deadline: The internal application with all supporting materials (see details below) is due by September 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PDT
• Final Deadline: October 17, 2024 at 5 p.m. PDT

Purpose

The Napier Initiative is a partnership between Pilgrim Place senior community and the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges to encourage leadership for social change. This intergenerational mentoring program links Napier Fellows interested in exploring vocations for social change with elders at Pilgrim Place who have built a lifetime of experience, leadership, and professional skills in fostering social justice for all people, caring for our fragile Earth home, and nurturing peace and reconciliation. Pilgrim Place, faculty and staff designated by the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges, and representatives from the wider Claremont community provide leadership for the Initiative.

Programs Funded

Pilgrim Place offers two awards at $20,000 each. The five colleges will nominate up to three applicants, with the two finalists being chosen by a selection panel at Pilgrim Place. Additionally, each of the students nominated by the colleges will have the opportunity for a one-year mentoring relationship with Pilgrim Place residents having a significant vocational affinity with the nominee. Thus, this is not a “submit it and forget it” type of award, but requires on-going involvement with the Pilgrim Place community. Fellows are expected to participate in a series of meetings and events with Mentors, the first being on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Please refer to the Napier website for the complete schedule.

Eligibility

This award is reserved for graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership promise in one of the three principal fields to which the “Napiers” dedicated themselves: global peace, social justice, and care of the Earth. Applicants should present a creative proposal for a practical project which must be carried out within fifteen months following graduation in the U.S. or abroad. The Napier Initiative encourages practical, hands-on work for a creative, viable proposal. Applicants should show that they have taken the initiative to establish a collaborative relationship with leaders in one or more local organizations where the project would be carried out.

Application/Nomination Process

1. Complete the brief application form. Attach a résumé and unofficial transcript.

2. Provide at least two letters of recommendation, one from a faculty member at your college who can attest to your accomplishments relevant to this award and one from a partner organization on the site where you would implement your project. If one of these persons is not in a position to observe and evaluate your leadership skills, include a third letter from someone with whom you have worked who can do so.

In the case of an organization established by a Fellow, the second letter of recommendation must come from an independent partner organization, not from someone within the Fellow-established organization.

Please provide the recommendation instructions link to each of your references. Personal references are confidential and should be submitted to the contact person at the applicant’s college. The partner organization’s letter can be sent directly to the college contact person or to the applicant who would include it with the application.

3. Write a personal essay covering each of the points listed under number 3 on the Napier Website. The essay may be up to three typed pages (single spaced, 12-point type, Times New Roman).

4. Create a one-page timeline for the project.​

5. Create a one-page proposed budget for the $20,000 award. The stipend may be used for travel, living expenses, materials, a language refresher course, or whatever will promote the successful completion of your project. The stipend may not be used as salary for the awardee.

6. Nominations for a joint award, with two students sharing a single proposed project and award, are acceptable. If the students come from different colleges, they must choose one of their colleges through which to apply and follow the established process for that college. Both students should include their own biographical information, personal essay, official transcript, and faculty and personal recommendations. A jointly written project proposal, timeline, and budget should be submitted along with the letter from the partnering organization.

7. Submit materials AS A SINGLE PDF document to fellowships@pomona.edu by the internal deadline with the subject “Napier Initiative Application.” Recommendations are also due by the internal deadline and should also be submitted to fellowships@pomona.edu with the subject “Napier Recommendation – Applicant First and Last Name.” Use this checklist to ensure you have provided all the information requested and be sure to sign the agreement for participation as a Napier Fellow.​

For questions on applying, please email Jason Jeffrey (Jason.Jeffrey@pomona.edu), Associate Director of Fellowships.

Purpose

Through the award of postgraduate scholarships, the National Collegiate Athletics Association seeks to honor student athletes who have excelled academically.

Programs Funded

The NCAA awards $7,500 grants to support the first year of full-time graduate studies to 87 men and 87 women annually. Other awards include thirteen $6,000 scholarships to ethnic minorities and thirteen to women for college graduates who will be entering a sports administration or related program that will assist the applicant in pursuing a career in intercollegiate coaching, sports medicine, athletics administration, or other careers that provide direct services to intercollegiate athletics. The Byers Scholarship, awarded to one man and one woman each year, is $24,000. The Jim McKay Scholarship Program offers $10,000 scholarships to one male and one female student-athlete who have an outstanding level of academic achievement and an interest in pursuing a career in sports communication.

Eligibility

All applicants must be U.S. citizens who are student athletes in their last year of intercollegiate competition at NCAA member institutions. Candidates for the general Postgraduate Scholarship must have achieved a 3.2 GPA and be nominated by the faculty athletics representative or director of athletics of an NCAA member institution. Consideration for either the Byers or Jim McKay Scholarships requires a 3.5 GPA and a campus nomination.

Selection Criteria

NCAA seeks to award student athletes who have performed with distinction as members of varsity teams and who have also excelled academically and been involved in extracurricular activities. Applicants for Minority and Women’s Scholarships must also demonstrate commitment to pursuing careers in intercollegiate athletics and promise for success in such careers. Byers Scholarship candidates are selected for special academic excellence, good character, leadership, and citizenship. Jim McKay scholars must demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, character, and a commitment to the communications field. Awards are not need-based.

Application Process

Students are nominated by faculty athletics representatives or directors of NCAA member institutions. Applications are first screened at a district level. Those recommended for further consideration are reviewed by the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Committee, which makes the final selection. There are several deadlines each year, from winter through spring–the earliest deadlines are in December.

Important Deadlines:

• Internal Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
• National Application Deadline: Monday, February 5, 2025

Purpose

Projects for Peace encourages and supports today’s motivated youth to create and try out their own ideas for building peace. Rewards support undergraduates as they design a grassroots project and implement it during their summer break, anywhere in the world. The projects judged to be the most promising and doable are awarded the grant. Previous proposals, including those from Pomona awardees, can be viewed on the Projects for Peace website.

Projects for Peace is an initiative inspired by the late Kathryn W. Davis, an accomplished internationalist and philanthropist. Upon the occasion of her 100th birthday in February of 2007, Mrs. Davis, mother of Shelby M.C. Davis who funds the Davis UWC Scholars Program, chose to celebrate by committing $1 million for one hundred Projects for Peace. “I want to use my 100th birthday to help young people launch some immediate initiatives—things that they can do during the summer of 2007—that will bring new thinking to the prospects of peace in the world.” 

Programs Funded

In a competitive process with multiple nominees from each of these schools, 100 projects are selected for funding at $10,000 each. The intention is to fund 100 projects (or more, subject to additional funding), with at least one at each of the participating partner institutions.

Eligibility

The initiative is open to all students at US colleges and universities that are part of the Davis United World College Scholars Program, currently over 90 campuses, including Pomona College. This includes seniors intending to complete their projects after graduation.

Application/Nomination Process

Pomona College is particularly interested in feasible and sustainable projects that are well-conceived and framed around mutually beneficial partnerships. An application includes the following:

1. A written statement that describes the project (who, what, where, how) including expected outcomes and prospects for future impact (not to exceed two pages). All written project proposals require a heading to include the following: name of the participating institution, name of all student participants, title of project, and country where the project will be performed.
2. A detailed and itemized budget (one separate page).
3. Evidence (normally a signed letter) of pre-approval of all involved parties and organizations involved in the project
4. An unofficial transcript for each participating student

The two-page proposal, one–page budget, letters from partners, and transcript(s) should be submitted electronically as a single pdf file to fellowships@pomona.edu. 

Questions should be directed to Jason Jeffrey (Jason.Jeffrey@pomona.edu), Associate Director of Fellowships, as communication between students writing proposals and the Davis UWC Scholars office is prohibited.

Important Deadlines

• Internal Deadline: To compete for Pomona’s nomination for the U.S. Rhodes (not the international constituencies), students must submit the Marshall & Rhodes (U.S.) Internal Application through SurveyMonkey Apply by April 14, 2025 (see details below under “Internal Application”). This deadline applies to all current students (spring ’25 – spring ’26 graduates). Interested alumni should contact Jason Jeffrey (Jason.Jeffrey@pomona.edu) for instructions.
• National Deadline: TBA

Purpose

Established through the Will of Cecil John Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international scholarship program in the world, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to undertake full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Thirty-two are awarded in the U.S. each year. British Commonwealth citizens apply through their home country’s/region’s constituency, which often have earlier deadlines. Potential applicants from other countries can apply for a Global Rhodes Scholarship.

Programs Funded

The award supports two years (with a possibility of extension to a third year) of full-time study toward a graduate degree or degrees at the University of Oxford. Completing a second Bachelor’s degree is sometimes appropriate, though in recent years only a small minority of Rhodes Scholars follow this route. The scholarship covers tuition and fees plus a maintenance allowance and round-trip travel.

Eligibility

U.S. citizens must be at least 18 and not yet 24 years old by October 1st of the year of application and hold a bachelor’s degree by the time they take up the scholarship. Commonwealth citizens should check the age requirements for their country/region, which vary.  Application deadlines also vary and are often much earlier for non-U.S. constituencies. Pomona College is happy to support students and graduates of all eligible nationalities. U.S. citizens, however, must be endorsed by Pomona College (see below); all other constiuencies apply directly.

Selection Criteria

Proven intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard is the first quality demanded of applicants, but they are also required to show integrity of character, courage, selflessness, interest in and respect for their fellow beings, the ability to lead, and the energy to use their talents to the fullest. Athletic participation was for many years a requirement, but today this criterion is expressed as the physical vigor necessary to lead an active life of service and accomplishment. While the minimum GPA is 3.7, most Rhodes Scholars in recent years have had near-perfect undergraduate GPAs. Applicants should review the complete criteria before applying.

Application/Nomination Process

Internal Application

Applicants for the U.S. Rhodes must be endorsed by Pomona before applying for the Scholarship. To be considered for endorsement, students must complete the Marshall & Rhodes (U.S.) Internal Application on SurveyMonkey Apply, going live February 14, 2025, by the internal deadline. The application consists of a form, which includes several short essay prompts, a current resume/CV, and an unofficial transcript. Three recommendations are also required – two academic and one leadership – which must be submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply (not emailed to the CDO). Nomination is determined by a faculty committee based on the candidate’s written application, including recommendations, as well as an interview.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of 5 and a maximum of 8 letters of reference are required. At least four must be from academics who have formally taught and graded you in your undergraduate (or, if relevant, postgraduate) studies. At least one must be from someone who can comment on your character and involvement in extra-curricular, service, or leadership activities. Refer recommenders to Rhode’s Information for Referees and Pomona’s recommendation guide for Rhodes.

Note on Application Assistance

In 2024, the Rhodes Trust issued new guidance covering the types of assistance you may receive when putting together your personal and academic statements for the scholarship. Whereas applicants could not receive any assistance on their personal statement previously, they now can seek general feedback from friends and mentors, provided they do not write or edit the statements. Applicants may also use generative AI to assist in writing and refining their statements. Please ensure you read their guidance before writing your application.

Advisors for 2024-2025

• Charlotte Chang
• Graydon Beeks
• Richard Mawhorter
• Richard McKirahan

Important Deadlines

• Internal Application: Monday, November 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The internal application with all supporting materials must be submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply (see details below).
• National Deadline: February 4, 2025 at 11:59 p.m., your time zone.

Purpose

The Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship Program gives exceptional college juniors who have demonstrated potential to become change agents in public service careers an opportunity to refine their goals and plan their graduate studies. Successful applicants have a history of individual accomplishment as change agents and are able to show how their past achievements connect to their plans for the future.

Programs Funded

Foundation Scholarships award up to $30,000 for graduate studies in the U.S. or abroad in a very broad range of careers dedicated to public service, including public administration, policy analysis, public health, historical preservation, law, international relations, government, economics, military, social services, education, conservation, environmental protection, and other fields. Truman Scholars participate in leadership training programs, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government.  Scholars who plan to gain practical experience after college before entering a graduate program may defer the scholarship for several years.

Eligibility

Candidates are nominated by their colleges/universities. Nominees must be U.S citizens or nationals who are juniors in the upper quarter of their class, and who are committed to a career in public service. This may include professional work in government at any level, uniformed services, public-interest organizations, nongovernmental research and/or educational organizations, public and private schools, and public service-oriented nonprofit organizations such as those whose primary purposes are to help needy or disadvantaged persons or to protect the environment. All majors are eligible.

Selection Criteria

Screening focuses on the extent and quality of community service or involvement in government or politics, demonstrated commitment to working for the public good, academic performance, writing, and analytical skills, and suitability of the nominee’s proposed program of graduate study. Demonstrated leadership resulting in a solution of a problem or another important change weighs heavily in the selection.

Application/Nomination Process

Be sure to review the Foundation’s Advice and Guidance, which includes sample responses, before drafting your application. Interested students should begin work on their application well in advance, as the application requires multiple essays, including a close analysis of a public policy issue.

For the internal application, you will need a draft 14-question sample application form, a draft of your policy proposal, an unofficial transcript, and the names of three possible recommendation writers. All materials must be submitted to the Truman SurveyMonkey Apply site (slated to go live October 7) by November 4 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Pomona may nominate a limited number of students. One Scholar or more is selected from each state, and up to 30 additional Scholars are selected at large.

Advisor 2024-2025

• Amanda Hollis-Brusky (D3)

Important Deadlines

• Internal Application Deadline: TBA
• National Application Deadline: TBA

Purpose

The Morris K. Udall Scholarship Foundation awards approximately 60 scholarships annually to students pursuing careers related to environmental public policy, or who are Native Americans or Alaska Natives pursuing careers related to health care or tribal public policy. The program honors Representative Udall’s work to preserve the environment and public lands. It is a highly respected program, and a good “gateway” to other prestigious fellowships.

Programs Funded

The Scholarship covers tuition, fees, housing and food expenses up to $7,000 during one year. Udall Scholars also participate in a summer workshop, receive academic and career advice, and have access to a network of highly accomplished environmental professionals. Scholars selected as sophomores may apply for a second year of funding. Applicants not selected as sophomores are encouraged to apply again as juniors, as additional experience may make them stronger candidates.

Eligibility

Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and be sophomores or juniors with a minimum 3.0 (9.0) GPA. Majors in any fields are eligible. Applicants should have studied subjects related to environment and public policy in the sciences or social sciences, and should have relevant campus or community service experience.

Selection Criteria

The Udall Foundation seeks candidates who, in both their academic and extracurricular activities, have already demonstrated significant involvement in environmental issues. Consideration is given to the student’s field of study, career objectives, and the extent to which the individual has the commitment and potential to make a significant contribution to his or her field.

Application/Nomination Process

Pomona College may nominate up to eight candidates each year. Prospective applicants should read carefully about the application process on the Foundation’s website, and contact the Udall Scholarship Faculty Advisor (listed below) to gain access to the online application. Please email your application (including transcripts and essays) by the internal deadline to the Faculty Advisor so that it can be considered for nomination; your three recommenders must email their letters of recommendation directly to the Faculty Advisor as well. 

You are eligible if off-campus in either the fall or spring semester. Talk with your recommenders about why you are applying, show them your drafts, and ask for their advice. Give them information about the scholarship’s goals and criteria, so they can write a letter that addresses the important points in your application.

Advisor for 2024-2025

• Char Miller (D3)
• Preston McBride (D3)

Important Deadlines

• Internal Deadline: September 13, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PDT (see “Application Process” below).
• National Deadline: mid-November

Purpose

The Watson Fellowship Program each year gives approximately 40 exceptional college graduates the freedom to engage in a year of independent study and travel abroad in order to thoroughly explore a particular interest, test aspirations and abilities, view their lives and American society in greater perspective, and develop a more informed sense of international concern.

Programs Funded

The Fellowship provides $40,000 to each recipient (more if traveling with spouse or dependents), plus twelve months’ payment for outstanding federally guaranteed student loans. Proposed projects should reflect a genuine interest in, and long-standing commitment to, a specific concern. The project need not be related to academic experience or plans. Formal study or affiliation with an organization is not permitted. Watson Fellows may not return to the U.S. at any time during their travel year.  Violating this rule incurs a severe penalty to the individual:  the award is canceled and funds must be returned.  The home institution may be removed from the eligibility list.

Eligibility

All graduating seniors at approximately 40 participating colleges are eligible for nomination by their institutions.

Selection Criteria

The Foundation seeks individuals who are able to carry out a year-long independent study project without the infrastructure and support found in study abroad programs.  Applicants should demonstrate integrity, strong ethical character, intelligence, the capacity for vision and leadership, and potential for effective participation in the world community. Feasibility of the project and language ability are important.

Application/Nomination Process

Email (fellowships@pomona.edu) and Nina Karnovsky (Pomona’s Faculty Representative for Watson)  if you plan to apply. You will then be added to the Watson application portal (if you have already emailed asking to be added to the Sakai page, you will be added by early September). On the Sakai site, complete the application, including copying and pasting your Personal Statement and Project Proposal (whose prompts are below) by 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 13th. Also due on this date are the Internal Watson Recommendation Forms (see below for details). You can skip the “headshot photo” uploads.

Personal Statement – The Personal Statement introduces the candidate and provides the backdrop for the entire application. (It should also introduce the project topic but save most details for the Project Proposal.) This statement should explain the personal significance—provide the personal context—for the proposed project. The candidate should discuss why she chose her topic, how it developed out of previous interests or experiences, and how it represents a new challenge. It should be clear from the personal statement why, of all the topics she could have chosen, she chose this one. The personal statement should be no more than 1500 words.

Project Proposal – The candidate should describe his plan for the 12-month Fellowship year, including a description of his project and an outline for carrying it out. The project proposal should detail the challenges the candidate expects to face and the preparation/strategy he has to confront them. All proposals must indicate the efforts taken to secure contacts “on the ground” in the proposed project countries. A list of project-related names/institutions obtained from an internet search cannot substitute for real communication. Please ensure that the project can be carried out in compliance with Watson guidelines (for example, that it does not hinge on travel to countries under a U.S. travel warning or embargo). The project proposal should be no more than 1500 words.

Recommendations – Applicants must secure two recommenders, one of whom must be a Pomona College faculty member. As part of the internal application, your two recommenders will submit an Internal Watson Recommendation Form (located on the Watson Sakai site) by emailing it to Nina J. Karnovsky by 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 13th. An official recommendation will only be required if you are nominated by the College. Please let your recommenders know that, if you are nominated, their official recommendation will be due in late October, about two weeks after you are nominated – so they will need to be willing to write quickly.

Semi-finalists will be interviewed in mid-October. In November, the Pomona selection committee recommends four nominees to the Foundation, who must then complete the official Watson online application. A representative of the Foundation visits each campus during the winter to interview nominees. Awards are announced in mid-March.

Advisors for 2024-2025:

• Nina Karnovsky (Chair, D2)
• Jose Cartagena (D1)
• Nivia Montenegro (D1)
• Thomas Muzart (D1)

National Deadline: No pre-doctoral awards are being offered in 2024-2025

Purpose

The Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships Program (formerly Pre-doctoral Fellowships for Minorities Program) aims to increase the presence of underrepresented minorities on the nation’s college and university faculties by offering pre-doctoral fellowships to members of the six minority groups most severely underrepresented in U.S. academia. The goal is to help outstanding students achieve their full potential as scholars and subsequently inspire others to follow academic careers in teaching and research.

Programs Funded

The program supports up to three years of advanced study leading to Ph.D. or Sc.D. degrees at any U.S. accredited institution in the following fields: behavioral and social sciences, humanities, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences and biological sciences, and for interdisciplinary programs comprised of two or more eligible disciplines. Awards are not made for work leading to terminal master’s degrees, doctorates in education or fine arts, or professional degrees in fields such as education, medicine, law, social work, performing arts, or business. There is an annual stipend or an award to the institution in lieu of tuition and fees.

Eligibility

The program invites applications from seniors and currently enrolled graduate students who are either citizens of the U.S., nationals, permanent residents, or have DACA status and who are members of one of the following groups: Alaska Native (Eskimo or Aleut), American Indians, African Americans, Mexican Americans/Chicanas/Chicanos, Native Pacific Islanders (Polynesian or Micronesian), and Puerto Ricans.

Monetary Award/Benefits/Tenure

The Pre-doctoral Fellowship carries an annual stipend of $24,000. Support is typically granted for three years, with second- and third-year renewals contingent on certification of satisfactory academic progress. 

Selection Criteria

Winners have demonstrated superior scholarship and great promise for future achievement as scholars, researchers, and teachers in institutions of higher education.

Application Process

The Ford Foundation Fellowship Program is administered by the National Research Council. Applications are due December 13, and additional materials on January 8, 2019. GRE General Test scores are required; the test should be taken no later than December. Students and alumni do not have to apply through Pomona, but we are happy to give advice on the application process.

Important Deadlines

• Preliminary Application Deadline: UK/Irish Preliminary Applications, located on SurveyMonkey Apply, are due June 26, 2024
• National Deadline (U.S. applicants): TBA (projected date: October 8, 2024 at 12 noon local time)

Purpose

The Gates Cambridge Scholars program, created by a substantial gift from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to create a network of outstanding scholars from around the world who will become leaders in addressing global problems related to health, social equity, technology, and learning. Each year, Gates Cambridge offers 80 full-cost scholarships, approximately 25 awards in the US round and 55 in the International round.

Programs Funded

Scholarships cover fees at Cambridge University, living costs, and other necessities, and round-trip airfare. Recipients may study for a graduate degree in any field and may apply for a master’s degree or equivalent or a doctorate. However, to create and sustain a viable Scholar community at Cambridge, approximately 2/3 of recipients each year are PhD scholars. Those applying for a master’s degree, especially a one-year degree, should devote extra care in explaining why their intended course is the ideal program for them.

Eligibility

Citizens of every country of the world other than the United Kingdom, who will hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent by the time they take up residence at Cambridge, are eligible to apply. Strong preparation for one’s intended course of study is critical.

Selection Criteria

• Academic excellence – Academic departments at Cambridge nominate only the most academically outstanding applicants for the Scholarship based on their transcripts, references, experience, and potential to succeed in their chosen course.
• Reasons for choice of course – Applicants must demonstrate they are prepared for their chosen course and how it will facilitate their future career plans.
• A commitment to improving the lives of others – Applicants define this themselves by providing evidence of their past, current, and future commitment to the societies in which they will live and work.
• A capacity for leadership – Applicants should provide evidence of their leadership experience and indicate the ways in which their leadership skills may impact their future career.

Application Process

Application for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, one of the Cambridge trusts, is included within the graduate application to Cambridge University and consists of a short essay. Thus, applicants apply for the Scholarship when they apply for their graduate program. Make sure you adhere to the applicable Gates Scholarship deadline, not the deadline listed for the graduate program, which is often much later. The Gates Cambridge scholarship does not require or even allow College endorsement; however, potential applicants are encouraged to complete a Preliminary Application and participate in summer advising. 

Applicants should consult relevant faculty or research supervisors, read course descriptions in Cambridge’s Graduate Prospectus, and review departmental websites when selecting their program of study. They should also review Pomona’s Researching British Universities guide, which discusses terminology used at British universities, types of programs, and related matters. Those pursuing a research master’s or doctorate will need to obtain the support of a potential faculty supervisor before submitting their application and thus are encouraged to begin their course search early.

Letters of Reference

Three letters of recommendation are required: two are graduate school recommendations for the University and one is a more personal, all-around recommendation for the Scholarship. The latter should address how the applicant meets the Scholarship’s four criteria (see above).

Applicants for Gates Cambridge should also consider the Downing Scholarship and the Churchill Scholarship, both of which support a year of advanced study at Cambridge.

Advisors for 2022-2023

• Jorge Moreno
• Richard D. McKirahan
• Samuel H. Yamashita

Important Deadlines

National Deadline: October 9, 2024 at 1 p.m. PDT 

Potential applicants are urged to contact Jason Jeffrey (Jason.Jeffrey@pomona.edu) in the spring or summer prior to applying to discuss their application.

Purpose

The program hopes to cultivate community leaders in a variety of disciplines at Stanford by offering educational support, leadership development, mentorship, and experiential learning.

Programs Funded

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program funds up to three years of graduate study at Stanford in any field (including MA, PhD, MBA, JD, and MD degrees). Awardees receive full tuition as well as a stipend to cover living costs.

Eligibility

Seniors and alumni within four years of graduating and who meet the eligibility requirements of their target graduate programs are eligible to apply. There is no citizenship requirement.

Selection Criteria

Successful Knight-Hennessy applicants must meet the entrance requirements of the Stanford graduate programs to which they are applying. In addition, they must demonstrate leadership, independent thought, and a civic mindset.

Application/Nomination Process

Pomona does not conduct an unofficial endorsement process. We suggest that applicants choose the option to request a second letter of recommendation from someone who knows them well. 

Purpose

The Rotary Foundation aims to promote international understanding and help improve quality of life through funding fellowships that fund education and service in countries outside of the U.S. Global Grants Scholarships fund a year of study or research abroad (applicants must work toward a graduate degree) in one of Rotary’s six areas of focus (see below).

What It Funds

The Foundation offers several different scholarships, however our local area Rotary Clubs, through which Claremont Colleges students usually apply, sponsor only the Global Grants Scholarships. The award may be used in any country where Rotary Clubs are located (other than the U.S.) and provides $30,000 for tuition, fees, travel, and living expenses. Study must be in a field related to the fellow’s long-term academic and professional plans. Candidates must specify the institution at which they plan to pursue their desired studies and gain acceptance to that institution by the final round of competition.

As part of their fellowship application, applicants must explain how their graduate program and career align with one of the Rotary’s six areas of focus: peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development.

Eligibility

Preference is given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International students may apply, but must explain how they will maintain a lifetime commitment to Rotary. Students apply during their senior year, or as alumni. There are no age limits for application. Children and grandchildren of Rotarians are not eligible to apply. 

All Claremont College seniors are eligible to apply.

Selection Criteria

• Excellent leadership skills and potential
•  A proven record of success in his or her academic field or vocation
•  A commitment to community service 
• Well-defined and realistic goals 
• Concrete ideas for advancing within his or her chosen field 
• Sincerity about maintaining a lifelong relationship with Rotary after the scholarship period

How to Apply

Email Karen Sapio from Claremont Rotary at karensapio@gmail.com and/or contact the Claremont Rotary Sunrise Club in order to initiate an application (both clubs can sponsor a student). Their Foundation Officers will be able to explain their preferred application processes (Karen Sapio, e.g., will email you an application template and set up a time to meet).

Questions?

Claremont students with questions may email Karen Sapio from Rotary District 5300 at karensapio@gmail.com for more information. 

Important Deadlines

National Deadline: September 12, 2024 at 3 p.m. EDT

Potential applicants are urged to contact Jason Jeffrey (Jason.Jeffrey@pomona.edu) in the spring or summer prior to applying to discuss their application.

Purpose

The Schwarzman Scholars program, inspired by the Rhodes scholarship, is designed to help future leaders meet the challenges of the 21^st century and beyond by preparing them to better understand China’s culture, economy, governance, and motivations.

Program Funded

Up to 200 Scholars (45% from the U.S., 20% from China, and 35% from other countries) will receive a fully-funded scholarship to attend a specially-designed program at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Scholars will study for a one-year Master’s degree in Public Policy, International Studies, or Economics and Business. They will reside in the newly constructed Schwarzman College on Tsinghua’s campus. All classes will be taught in English and students will have opportunities throughout the year to study Mandarin.

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend lectures, travel, and participate in internships with global and national institutions and corporations based in Beijing.

Eligibility

Candidates must be at least 18 but not yet 29 years of age as of August 1 of their Schwarzman Scholars enrollment year.

There are no citizenship or nationality requirements. Students apply through the country on their passports, not the country of their undergraduate institution.

Selection Criteria

A Schwarzman Scholar should demonstrate: leadership abilities; exemplary character and integrity; academic aptitude and intellectual ability; empathy and intercultural competency; and open-mindedness and an entrepreneurial spirit. The three pillars of their criteria are defined as: 

• Leadership: the ability to conceptualize, articulate and implement new approaches to existing conditions, with determination, energy, and adaptability to drive change despite obstacles. A leader must have the ability to inspire others to help make change happen. Leadership can be demonstrated through many contexts and fields, political, social, business, the arts, and beyond.
• Intellect: achievements demonstrated through outstanding performance in academic endeavors.
• Character: personal values and integrity that inspires trust among others

Important Deadlines:

Foundation Deadline: January 27, 2025

Purpose

The Donald A. Strauss Scholarship Foundation makes annual awards of $15,000 to no fewer than 10 and no more than 15 California college sophomores or juniors from 22 pre-selected institutions, Pomona being one.

​The Foundation promotes the value of public service in the education and preparation of our future leaders by financing innovative, student-generated projects. A central part of the application package is a proposal for a project to be carried out between the end of the sophomore or junior year and the spring of the following year.

Programs Funded

In response to the rising costs in education, up to $7,000 of this award is now designated as a Scholarship to be applied to the student’s educational support. Eight thousand is designated as a project grant to fund the student’s service project expenses. Students may choose to add to their service project funds from the Scholarship funds. For example, a student may request $1,000 less in Scholarship funds and have that $1,000 added to their project.

Eligibility

Successful applicants will be current sophomores or juniors with a GPA in the upper 1/3 of their class who attend Pomona College full-time and have the desire to “make a difference” in local, regional, national, or international communities.

Additional eligibility guidelines and information, as well as application materials, can be found on the Strauss Foundation website.

Application Process

Complete the Application Summary and submit it along with:​​​

1. One-page Resume – including current and past public service
2. One-page Personal Essay – describing your background, passions, “north star”, relevant accomplishments, and why your project is meaningful for you
3. A Project Proposal – must be submitted in a single PDF form, limited to 4 pages, including Budget and Timeline, typed with 1.2 spacing
4. Two Recommendations – if working with a partner organization, also submit their Letter of Support; letters must be emailed to LOR@straussfoundation.org by the application deadline
5. Transcript – unofficial is okay
6. Signed copy of the Acceptance Agreement (final page of Bulletin of Information)

Submit all materials directly to the Strauss Foundation (scroll down to the red button “Submit Your Application Materials Here”).

Questions should be directed to Jason Jeffrey (Jason.Jeffrey@pomona.edu), Associate Director of Fellowships.