Study Abroad

ASF’s award program for study and research abroad has been the Foundation’s most long-standing commitment to educational exchange. During the past 100 years, over 4,000 fellowships and grants have been given to Americans in the Nordic region (Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sámpi, and Sweden) and Scandinavians in the US engaged in study, research, or creative arts projects.

Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship (Deadline in April and December)

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic competitiveness. The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.

Blakemore Freeman Fellowship for Advance Asian Language Study (Deadline December)
The Blakemore Foundation was founded in 1990 by Tom and Frances Blakemore for the purpose of providing fellowships for the advanced study of Asian languages and grants to facilitate the introduction of Asian art to communities in the United States.

Boren Scholarship (Undergrad & Graduate) (Deadline in January)
Boren Awards are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Applicants identify how their study abroad programs or overseas projects, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, broadly defined. NSEP draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.

Bridging Project for Study in Japan
The goal of this program is to nurture U.S. undergraduates to broaden their worldview through long-term study abroad in Japan. Many of our graduates assume leadership roles supporting the U.S.-Japan relationship by becoming experts in arts, education, culture, business, diplomacy and security. Bridging Scholars become proficient in Japanese culture and language, enabling them to engage effectively with their Japanese counterparts and to positively influence public life in the United States. Through their experience in Japan, Bridging Scholars cultivate a lifelong affinity for the country and become attuned to the cultural differences that facilitate working with people from any part of the world. 

Critical Language Scholarship Program -  proved fully funded group based intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences for 7-10 weeks for U.S. citizen undergraduate, Master’s and Ph.D. students.

  • U.S. citizens
  • Must be currently enrolled in a U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level
  • Must have completed at least one year of college
  • Be in acceptable mental and physical health
  • At least 18 years old
  • All disciplines

DAAD Scholarship (Deadline January) 
Looking for ways to make your research or study stay in Germany possible? The DAAD scholarship database for undergraduates, graduate students, PhD candidates, postdocs, and faculty offers a wide range of scholarships and additional information to help make your plans in Germany a reality.

Killam Fellowship (Deadline January)
Killam Fellowship provides an opportunity for exceptional undergraduate students from universities in Canada and the U.S. to spend either one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student in the other country. Offers a cash award of $10,000 plus $500 for health insurance.

  • Must be U.S. citizen
  • Full time undergraduate students
  • Have a superior and competitive academic record
  • Be nominated by one’s home university

Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship (Deadline February & September) 
The fellowship will help fund a proposal designed by the applicant to conduct brief work in a foreign country related to the mandate of UNESCO – using education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and/or communication and information to build strong ties among nations. The fellowship is intended for American college/university students who express an interest in international collaboration but as of yet had not been afforded many opportunities to travel abroad. The length of time for the travel is expected to be between 4 and 6 weeks and should include interaction with individuals from other nations. During his/her travel, the recipient should be willing to participate in public diplomacy events arranged with the pertinent U.S. State Department Consulate, Mission, and/or Embassy.

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen eligible for foreign travel
  • Must be at least 18 years old and not older than 25 at the time of application
  • Must be currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university in the United States

Opera Foundation Scholarship (Berlin, Munich, and Turin Scholarships) (Deadline January) 
The Opera Foundation was originally launched in 1985 as the American Berlin Opera Foundation. Its purpose is to support young American opera singers abroad via scholarships and study grants, to foster cross cultural ties between Europe and the United States. The first scholarship program was established in 1986 with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, thanks to the late Professor Götz Friedrich. In 2008, a second scholarship program was established with Teatro Regio Torino, thanks to Maestro Gianandrea Noseda and the initiative of Fiorenza Scholey-Cohen. Scholarship recipients will travel to Berlin, Munich and/or Turin to start his or her professional training with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro Regio Torino, and the Bayerische Staatsoper. The term of scholarship is 10 months (September to June) for Berlin and Turin, and 11 months for Munich (September to July).  The scholarship competition is open to American citizens and permanent residents between the ages of 18 and 30 who are beginning their professional careers. Selected candidates will be invited to participate in New York auditions. 

Princeton in Asia (Deadline August)
Founded by Princeton students in 1898, the program fosters mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia through immersive work fellowships in host organizations and communities. PiA aims to contribute to building a world where individuals share a mutual appreciation and respect for the diversity of cultures and perspectives and cultivates life-long bridges to Asia. The fellowship program offers Fellows a change in perspective, a job that matters and a community for life.