Top 48 Political Science Scholarships for Students in September 2024

Are you a U.S. high school student with a love for U.S. history? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest! Each year, the contest awards up to $10,000 to winning applicants who submit a 700 - 1,000-word essay following the year’s prompt. Each year's prompt relates to U.S. history, with this year’s being: “Describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. ” The scholarship is offered by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts. If you love U.S. history and want to put your writing skills and history knowledge to the test, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

The Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Applied Public Policy (Democratic Resilience) is funded by Flinders University and designed to increase awareness of the field of applied public policy in Australia. In addition, it's meant to promote comparative and collaborative research between Australia and the United States in the field of applied public policy, especially as it relates to enhancing democratic resilience. The scholarship committee is looking for research that contributes to an advancement in the understanding of the use and regulation of emerging technology for positive social impact. This may include the way that technological changes can shape policy, laws, and political behaviors to enhance national security, governance of society, and democracy. Alternatively, it may address the risks of such technological changes. For more information on how to apply, keep on reading!Show Less

This “Fulbright-National Science Foundation Distinguished Scholar Award” is open to Ph.D. and Terminal Degree holders interested in both conducting research and teaching courses in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure at select Icelandic universities. Selected scholar(s) may conduct research and/or teach a course at the university level or deliver seminars/workshops. Research projects must focus on cybersecurity or critical infrastructure related to any of these areas: (1) pure and applied research, (2) research coordination, (3) transitioning research into practice, (4) workforce, curriculum, and capacity development, (5) enterprise risk management, or (6) law, policy, and international relations. Scholars may also participate in consulting, developing training curricula, and assisting with evaluations. Participating institutions are the University of Iceland, Reykjavik University, and the University of Akureyri. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, keep on reading to learn more!Show Less

This Fulbright-Schuman Postdoctoral Award is open to Ph.D. and Terminal Degree holders interested in conducting a research project at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, in the upcoming school year. One American scholar will be chosen to conduct his/her own research through an affiliation with one of the EUI Departments (Economics, History and Civilization, Law, Political and Social Sciences) or the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, which is devoted to interdisciplinary, comparative, and policy research on the major issues on the European integration process. If suitable, the candidate may choose to affiliate with the Max Weber Programme, which is currently the largest international postdoctoral training program in the social sciences. The aim of this program is to provide opportunities for Americans and Europeans to study and conduct research on the transatlantic relationship. To apply, students must submit a Project Statement, a CV or Resume, and two Letters of Recommendation. If you're an American scholar wanting to conduct studies at the European University Institute, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

The "Fulbright-Uppsala University Distinguished Scholar Award in American Studies" is open to Ph.D. and Terminal Degree holders interested in both conducting research and teaching courses in American Studies at Swedish universities. The selected Scholar will be required to teach one introductory course for undergraduates, as well as a more specialized course for senior or graduate students (or both) in the grantee's area of expertise at the Swedish Institute for North American Studies (SINAS), Department of English at Uppsala University. The scholars will also give an inaugural lecture during the year, and will be encouraged to give lectures at other Swedish universities and outside Sweden. As for research, the scholar can participate in collaborative research with the department faculty or conduct their own project. If you're a doctorate or terminal degree holder wanting to teach in Sweden, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

The "Laszlo Orszagh Distinguished Award in American Studies" is open to Ph.D. and Terminal Degree holders interested in teaching post-secondary courses and assisting in curriculum development at Hungarian universities. Associate and full professors with at least ten years of graduate teaching experience will be given preference. Applications will be accepted from any discipline, so long as they relate to American studies. Selected scholars must agree to teach one lecture or seminar course per semester at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels. Additional activities may include advising students, overseeing student research and thesis work, participating in research projects, doing local outreach, or giving talk(s) at the American Corners in Hungary and select Hungarian universities. Interested students must submit a Project Statement, a CV or Resume, and two Letters of Recommendation to apply. For more information on the scholarship, keep on reading!Show Less

The "Postdoctoral Scholar Award" is open to Ph.D. and Terminal Degree holders interested in both conducting research and assisting faculty and students in the arts, education, humanities, geology, or the social sciences at Taiwanese universities. As part of the research requirement, selected scholars may expect to collaborate with Taiwanese faculty, and present lectures, seminars, and workshops as arranged by the host institution. To apply, interested students should obtain a letter of invitation from their potential host institution. Applicants without an invitation letter may indicate preferred affiliations, but Fulbright Taiwan will arrange and finalize all affiliations in consultation with potential hosts. If you're a doctorate or terminal degree holder wanting to work at an educational institution in Taiwan, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

The "Fulbright Bicentennial Chair in American Studies" award is open to Ph.D. and Terminal Degree holders interested in both conducting research and teaching courses in American Studies at universities throughout Finland. Selected scholars will be required to teach one survey course per semester to third-year Bachelor's students, as well as teach one seminar per semester in their area of expertise to master's level students. Scholars will also be invited to participate in the program's Ph.D. seminar and in the development of the North American Studies program in general, be encouraged to give occasional guest lectures at other Finnish universities, and be invited to participate in Fulbright Finland Foundation activities as an application reviewer and interviewer. To apply, submit a Project Statement, a CV or Resume, and two Letters of Recommendation. To learn more about the scholarship, keep on reading!Show Less

The "Distinguished Scholar in Humanities and Social Sciences" is open to Ph.D. or Terminal Degree holders looking to conduct research in the Humanities or Social Sciences at the American Studies Center (ASC), University of Warsaw. Candidates are expected to have at least 10 years of teaching experience. Selected scholars will be required to teach one graduate course per semester on a topic of their choosing. They will also be expected to give public lectures, advise graduate students, and generally engage in the academic life of the ASC. To apply, you must submit a Project Statement, a CV or Resume, and two Letters of Recommendation. For more information on the scholarship, keep on reading!Show Less

Are you a high schooler in the U.S. who is passionate about democracy and wants to put that feeling into (spoken) words? Further, are you planning on attending a postsecondary institution in the U.S.? If so, consider applying for the Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contest! Each year, the scholarship awards between $1,000 and $35,000 to multiple applicants who submit a 3-5 minute audio-recorded essay answering the year’s democracy or patriotism-related theme. The scholarship is offered by Veterans of Foreign Wars, an organization dedicated to “serving our veterans, the military, and our communities.” If you believe in serving veterans and want to put both your verbal and written skills to the test, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

Are you a bachelor's degree holder pursuing a career that involves the use of an East or Southeast Asian language? If so, consider applying for the Blakemore Freeman Fellowship! The Blakemore Freeman Fellowship is open to college graduates pursuing a professional, business, or academic career that will require the regular use of East or Southeast Asian languages. Applicants should have already formally studied their target language for at least three years and be willing to partake in extensive language study in an eligible program during the term of the grant. The scholarship is offered by the Blakemore Foundation, a Washington-based charitable trust dedicated to encouraging the use of Asian languages and increasing the understanding of Asian art within the United States. Every year, the fellowship covers tuition, and awards a stipend for related educational expenses, and basic living and transportation costs for the language programs of each of the winning applicants. If you’re looking for some help to pay off your East or Southeast Asian language program, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

Are you an aspiring filmmaker with an interest in American politics? If so, consider applying for the StudentCam scholarship! The StudentCam Scholarship is open to students in grades 6-12 who create a short 5-6 minute video documentary on a topic that relates to the year’s competition theme. The 2025 Competition Theme is: "What issue is most important to you or your community? Examine your selected topic from multiple perspectives and assess what action(s) the president should take after Inauguration Day." The scholarship is offered by Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN), a non-profit organization that televises many proceedings of the United States federal government, as well as other public affairs programming all without editing, commentary, or analysis. Each year, the scholarship awards cash prizes totaling $100,000 to the top 150 student documentaries. If you’re a middle or high school student passionate about filmmaking and American Politics, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

Are you a high school student passionate about the U.S. Constitution? If so, you may be interested in the American Legion Oratorical Contest! The contest is open to high school students age 20 or younger who write and recite a speech related to the U.S. Constitution.  The American Legion created the contest to encourage appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students and invite a deeper understanding of it. Participating students will first partake in the contest at the post level, with those making it past moving to the state competition. Those making it past the first round of the state level will earn at least $2,000, and the winner of the national competition will make $25,000. If you are passionate about the U.S. Constitution and want to enter a speech contest to earn money for college, we encourage you to apply! Bear in mind that each state has its own deadline, so we recommend checking your state's American Legion website before applying.Show Less