The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman Program supports American undergraduate students who might otherwise not participate in study or intern abroad programs due to financial constraints. The international experiences gained through participation in the program enable tomorrow’s leaders to thrive in the global economy and contribute to our nation’s prosperity.
Award amounts can be up to $5,000 (with the opportunity to receive the supplemental Critical Need Language Award of up to $3,000 and/or the STEM Supplemental Award of up to $1,000). Financial need is based on the study abroad expenses provided by the applicant’s advisor and additional financial aid information submitted through the application. A Gilman scholar’s final award amount will be determined by financial need, program length, overall program costs and the strength of the application during the selection panel recommendation process.
Applications are reviewed holistically with consideration of the following:
Program Priorities
Veterans of military service and applicants who have not previously studied abroad are encouraged to apply, and preference is given to them when other factors are equivalent. The Gilman Program prioritizes representation from all U.S. states and territories and a broad range of overseas destinations, with a preference for countries where it is less common for U.S. students to study abroad. Students can study abroad or participate in internships abroad in a wide array of countries to build their career-readiness skills which supports U.S. national security and economic prosperity.
Selection Criteria
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (Gilman) Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government. The Gilman Program was established by Congress through the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000.
The Gilman Program was created by the U.S. Congress to broaden the outlook and better prepare students to assume significant roles in the increasingly global economy.
The program supports outstanding American undergraduate students with high financial need (Pell Grant recipients) to pursue credit-bearing academic study or internships abroad, during which they gain skills that contribute to career readiness, serve as citizen ambassadors, and support U.S. economic and strategic interests. A successful Gilman applicant will describe how a specific program and destination will support the applicant in reaching their academic and/or career goals. A successful applicant will also clearly articulate what they anticipate gaining academically and professionally from their experience abroad and what skills and knowledge they hope to develop.
Note: The Gilman Program prioritizes representation from all U.S. states and territories and a broad range of overseas destinations, with a preference for countries where it is less common for U.S. students to study abroad. Preference will be given to applicants who are Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and/or those have not studied abroad before.
The U.S. Department of State is committed to ensuring that Gilman Scholars are successful on their programs abroad. A successful Gilman applicant must demonstrate academic preparedness, as well as ability to adapt to and thrive in a different environment and be successful on and benefit from their study or intern abroad program. Academic performance, particularly in the applicant’s major, is important, though there is no minimum grade point average required for selection as a Gilman recipient.
The Gilman Program is a U.S. Government-funded scholarship. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, Gilman Scholars’ roles as citizen diplomats are more important than ever. A successful Gilman applicant will articulate how he or she will engage with their host community and share what it means to be an American.
Upon returning to the United States, Gilman Scholars inspire the next generation of American students to study or intern abroad through the required follow-on service project. The goal of the follow-on service project is for Gilman Scholars to highlight the value of study abroad, promote the Gilman Program, and demonstrate how international experiences contribute to the U.S. prosperity in their home communities and campuses. A successful Gilman applicant will design a follow-on service project proposal that meets these goals.
The U.S. Department of State is dedicated to supporting American students who are studying a critical need language (those deemed important to national security). Applicants are considered for this category if, while abroad, they are taking a course conducted in a critical need language, while studying in a location where the critical need language is predominantly spoken. If they are studying in a country in which the language is not predominantly spoken, it should be clear why their program and location will support their language learning.
A successful applicant should demonstrate a strong motivation to achieve proficiency in the language that extends beyond their study abroad experience and into their future academic and/or career goals.
The U.S. Department of State is dedicated to supporting students who are focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields (defined as agriculture, engineering, health professions, math and computer science, and physical and life sciences) during their higher education. Applicants are considered for this category if while abroad they are conducting STEM-related coursework as part of their study abroad or international internship program. The coursework must be formally integrated into their credit-bearing program.
A successful applicant should provide a clear description of the STEM-related coursework they will conduct abroad and demonstrate a strong interest in their STEM field(s) and how this coursework experience extends beyond their time abroad, and into their future academic and career goals. Of note, the applicant is not required to major in a STEM field.
