NSO Events Fall 2023
The National Scholarship Office will present information sessions on the following awards throughout the fall semester. Click on the name of the award to go to the award program’s website and click on “Register here!” to register for our sessions. Zoom links will be provided to those who register.
Opportunities for undergraduates are notated in green text and those for graduate students are notated in red text below.
Please email natlscholar@vcu.edu with any questions!
SEPTEMBER
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program: Wednesday, September 6 @ 11:00 am (Hybrid)
Juniors, seniors, and first- and second-year graduate students in STEM fields are encouraged to join us to learn more about the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), which funds up to three years of graduate study in non-medical STEM disciplines. Register here!
Critical Language Scholarship/Boren Awards: Wednesday, September 6 @ 1:00pm (Hybrid)
The Critical Language Scholarship and the Boren Awards, which each fund the study of a critical language abroad, are open to all undergraduates and graduate students. This session will provide an overview of both programs. Register here!
Public Service/Leadership Information Session: Wednesday, September 6 @ 3:00 pm (Hybrid)
These information session are aimed at undergraduate students interested in a career in public service. The information session will cover awards including: Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA), Truman Scholarship, Obama Voyager Scholarship, Rangel Summer Enrichment Program, Congressional Black Caucus Scholarships, Hunger Fellowships, Harvard Public Policy Leadership Conference, Humanity in Action scholarship, and Boren Awards. Register here!
Goldwater Scholarship: Thursday, September 7 @ 11:00 am (Hybrid)
Intended for sophomores and juniors intending to pursue graduate research in the STEM fields, this session will provide information on the Goldwater Scholarship, which awards its scholars with up to $7500 for educational expenses and a mentoring network. Register here!
NSO General Information Session for Graduate Students: Thursday, September 7 @ 12:30 pm (Zoom)
This session is geared towards VCU grad students in all disciplines. Join us to learn more about external funding opportunities and how the NSO can support you through the application process. Register here!
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS): Thursday, September 7 @ 2:00 pm (Hybrid)
CLS is a fully funded, intensive summer study abroad for the study of a critical language, open to undergraduates and graduate students in all disciplines. Register here!
Public Service/Leadership Information Session: Friday, September 8 @ 11:00 am (Zoom)
These information session are aimed at undergraduate students interested in a career in public service. The information session will cover awards including: Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA), Truman Scholarship, Obama Voyager Scholarship, Rangel Summer Enrichment Program, Congressional Black Caucus Scholarships, Hunger Fellowships, Harvard Public Policy Leadership Conference, Humanity in Action scholarship, and Boren Awards. Register here!
Goldwater Scholarship: Friday, September 8 @ 2:00 pm (Hybrid)
Intended for sophomores and juniors intending to pursue graduate research in the STEM fields, this session will provide information on the Goldwater Scholarship, which awards its scholars with up to $7500 for educational expenses and a mentoring network. Register here!
Presidential Management Fellowship: Wednesday, September 13 @ noon (Zoom)
Hosted by the Graduate School! Find out how graduate students from all disciplines can serve as PMF Fellows and work in roles within the Federal Government. Benefits include a full-time salary with benefits, mentoring, training and possible permanent placement. Students who have graduated within the past two years or who will graduate with an advanced degree by August 31, 2024 are eligible. Register here!
Additional PMF Info Sessions will be offered on September 18 @ 4pm and September 21 @ noon. Click on the dates to register. Please reach out to Dr. Erin Brown, Director of Professional Development in the VCU Graduate School, with questions!
OCTOBER
RISE/SMART/NDSEG: Wednesday, October 18 @ 2:00 pm (Hybrid)
These identical session are intended for undergraduates beyond their first year and current graduate students in STEM-field majors. Learn about RISE, a three-month research internship in Germany (working language is English!), and SMART, a Department of Defense scholarship that provides funding for tuition and educational fees as well as summer research internships. The Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship is a prestigious fellowship awarded annually to U.S. citizens pursuing doctoral degrees in science and engineering disciplines. Register here!
Boren Awards: Thursday, October 19 @ 3:30pm (Hybrid)
Open to undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines, the Boren Awards fund up to $25,000 for students to study a critical language abroad. Register here!
RISE/SMART/NDSEG: Tuesday, October 24 @ 2:00 pm (Hybrid)
These identical session are intended for undergraduates beyond their first year and current graduate students in STEM-field majors. Learn about RISE, a three-month research internship in Germany (working language is English!), and SMART, a Department of Defense scholarship that provides funding for tuition and educational fees as well as summer research internships. The Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship is a prestigious fellowship awarded annually to U.S. citizens pursuing doctoral degrees in science and engineering disciplines. Register here!
NSO General Information Session: Thursday, October 26 @ 3:30pm (Hybrid)
This general information session are geared towards all undergraduates who are new to VCU this fall–first-year and transfer students–but all are welcome! Learn about the NSO, the (inter)nationally-competitive awards we advise for, and how to make yourself a great candidate. Register here!
NOVEMBER
NSO General Information Session: Wednesday, November 1 @ 3:00 pm (Hybrid)
This general information session are geared towards all undergraduates who are new to VCU this fall–first-year and transfer students–but all are welcome! Learn about the NSO, the (inter)nationally-competitive awards we advise for, and how to make yourself a great candidate. Register here!
Point Scholarship: Thursday, November 2 @ 2:00 pm (Hybrid)
The Point Flagship Scholarship empowers LGBTQ undergraduate and graduate students to access and succeed in their education at accredited four-year institutions in the United States. Flagship scholarship recipients receive financial support, access to multiple leadership development programs, mentorship or coaching, and the support of a community of scholars and alumni. Register here!
Udall Scholarship: Thursday, November 9 @ 3:30 pm (Hybrid)
Aimed at sophomores and juniors interested in tribal policy, the environment, or Native American healthcare, the Udall Scholarship provides its scholars with up to $7,000 and leadership development training. Register here!
DECEMBER
Fulbright UK Summer Institutes: Wednesday, December 6 @ 2:00 pm (Hybrid)
This session is intended for first- and second-year students with a GPA of 3.7 or higher and little travel experience outside of the US. The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes are 3- or 4-week study abroad programs at prestigious universities in the UK, funded by the US-UK Fulbright Commission. Register here!
JANUARY
Fulbright UK Summer Institutes: Thursday, January 18 @ 2:00 pm (Hybrid)
This session is intended for first- and second-year students with a GPA of 3.7 or higher and little travel experience outside of the US. The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes are 3- or 4-week study abroad programs at prestigious universities in the UK, funded by the US-UK Fulbright Commission. Register here!