Columbia Fellowships and Grants
- The Institute of African Studies offers two $1,000 student fellowships to support travel, research, or study in Africa, including language study. One fellowship is dedicated to general research or study in Africa, while the other focuses specifically on China-Africa projects. These fellowships are open to both graduate and undergraduate students.
- Undergraduate students, graduate students, research, language study
- The Social Impact Fellowship is a summer and academic year program for rising Columbia University juniors and seniors who desire to explore careers in social impact and use their talents to engage in and lead on solving complex global challenges. Students at Columbia College, School of General Studies, School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Barnard College are eligible to apply.
- Undergraduate students
- The Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy (ISERP) accepts graduate student-initiated proposals for conferences. Proposals will be evaluated on their intellectual merit and coherence, and their judicious use of funding. These conferences must take place at Columbia University. Conferences should highlight graduate student work and can focus on a single substantive or methodological topic or problem, on an event or policy, or on a set of intellectually related issues.
- Graduate students, conferences
External Fellowships and Grants
- The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans is a program supporting immigrants and children of immigrants pursuing graduate studies in the United States. Fellows are selected for their academic excellence, creativity, leadership potential, and dedication to making a positive impact. The fellowship provides significant funding for tuition and living expenses, empowering recipients to achieve their professional and personal aspirations.
- Graduate students
- The Boren Awards provide funding for U.S. students to study less commonly taught languages in regions critical to national security, including Africa. All Boren recipients commit to a federal service requirement, contributing their language and regional expertise to national security efforts through roles in agencies such as the State Department and the intelligence community. Boren Scholarships support eligible undergraduate students who wish to study abroad in African countries, where they can immerse themselves in languages such as Swahili, Zulu, Hausa, and Wolof while gaining regional expertise. Boren Fellowships are designed for eligible graduate students, providing funding for advanced language study, research, and fieldwork in Africa. Fellows can develop language proficiency and conduct research that aligns with their academic and professional goals, preparing them for careers in the U.S. government.
- Undergraduate students, Graduate students, Research, Language study
- The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers grants and fellowships to support women pursuing academic research, graduate education, and community projects that promote gender equity. These funding opportunities provide financial assistance for scholars, educators, and activists working to advance women’s empowerment in various fields.
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- Graduate students, Research
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- The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides financial support for students who are active and emerging organizers in progressive movements for liberation, self-determination and social and economic justice in their communities. These need-based scholarships are awarded to students who are enrolled at a college or university or in a trade or technical program.
- All students
- The African Studies Association provides the Mahmoud Mohamed Taha Student Travel Award to support research and the exchange of ideas for students of African Studies. Established in 2023, the award was made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Steve Howard. The award is granted in acknowledgement of outstanding student scholarship to support the future of African Studies. The award consists of a travel grant and a plaque presented at the ASA’s Annual Meeting. Each year, funds will be awarded to competitively selected students who have displayed outstanding scholarship in their area of study. Awards may be used to facilitate research, study abroad, and/or travel to present research at the ASA Annual Meeting.
- All students, Research, Study abroad
- The Diverse International Women of Color (DIWC) Fund offers scholarships to women of color seeking financial assistance to study abroad. Their mission is to inspire, encourage, and promote opportunities for these women to travel internationally, experience diverse cultures, and broaden their horizons beyond the United States. By providing these scholarships, DIWC aims to remove financial barriers and empower women of color to achieve their study abroad goals.
- All students, Study abroad
- The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation created the Schomburg-Mellon Humanities Summer Institute to encourage students of color and others with interests in African-American, African, and African Diaspora Studies to pursue PhDs in the humanities. The four-week fellowship program is open to rising college seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Undergraduates, Summer programs
- The Princeton in Africa Fellowship is a year-long program that places highly qualified recent college graduates in professional roles with nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and international development agencies across Africa. Fellows work in fields such as education, public health, economic development, and humanitarian aid, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful projects. Open to graduates of any accredited U.S. college or university, the program fosters leadership and a deep understanding of African issues. The program aims to build lifelong connections between fellows and the continent while supporting sustainable development efforts.
- Graduating students