Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Grant

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to US $5,000
Last Updated: January 25, 2026

Summary

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides vital financial support for U.S. undergraduates with limited financial means to study or intern abroad. This merit-based program encourages students from diverse backgrounds, especially those from rural areas and small towns, to gain international experience, enhancing their career skills and cultural proficiency. Scholarships of up to $5,000 are available, promoting academic and professional growth while fostering relationships that support U.S. national security and economic prosperity.

Overview

Program Overview The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) provides up to $5,000 in merit-based scholarships to outstanding American undergraduate students with high financial need to pursue credit-bearing academic studies and career-oriented internships abroad. These opportunities equip Gilman Scholars with international experience, global networks, and foreign language skills essential to advancing the U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001. Why Gilman? The Gilman Program supports American students to gain career skills and global networks that further their professional development and the U.S. economy. The program encourages students to study or intern abroad in all world regions and from all U.S. states, academic fields, and types of institutions. 72% of all Gilman scholars come from small towns or rural communities across the United States. In addition to the standard Gilman award, the Gilman Program offers limited supplemental funding opportunities for students who want to conduct STEM-related coursework or internships abroad as part of their study abroad or international internship program and students studying critical languages (those deemed important to national security). Mission of the Gilman Program Develop a generation of future American leaders with the career skills and international networks to advance U.S. national security and economic prosperity.Support young Americans to gain the professional skills, language abilities, and knowledge of the world needed for successful careers.Expand the destinations where U.S. students study and intern abroad, in order to build relationships, foster mutual understanding, and represent American culture and values, critical to national security. Noncompetitive eligibility (NCE) for Federal employment Gilman scholars are eligible for 12 months of noncompetitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government, with the possibility of extensions if certain criteria are met. NCE allows U.S. federal government agencies to hire eligible exchange program alumni outside of the formal competitive job announcement process and to compete for certain federal employment jobs that are only open to federal employees. In other words, a Gilman alumna/us can receive a job offer with as little as an open position and a résumé that reflects the necessary experience and education for an agency. The U.S. Department of State reserves the right to request program changes for specific countries or locations if deemed necessary during any stage of the application, selection process, or while on program. Final awards are contingent upon the availability of funds and the health and security situation in a country or location. Furthermore, a Gilman scholar’s status may be affected should the health or security situation in a country or location change. Award Benefits Nearly 3,000 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study or intern abroad. Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Gilman scholarship recipients can only receive the scholarship once. If a student previously declined a Gilman scholarship, they are welcome to re-apply, as long as they still meet all eligibility requirements listed below.The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. To be eligible for a Gilman scholarship, an applicant must be:A citizen or national of the United States;An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions);Receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship;In the process of applying to, or accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement;Applying for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country or location with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. It is important to note that certain areas within a country or location that has an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either Level 3 or Level 4; Gilman scholars will not be allowed to travel to these specific areas. Gilman scholars are unable to participate in programs located in a country or location — or an area within a country or location — that is designated as either a Level 3 (“Reconsider travel to”) or Level 4 (“Do not travel to”).

Ineligibility

You are not eligible to apply for the scholarship if you will be studying in a country on the Travel Warning list.No exceptions can be made as this restriction is for your safety.