The U.S. Department of State’s goal for the Gilman Program is to broaden the student population that studies and interns abroad by supporting American undergraduate students who might otherwise not participate 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 also prioritizes broad representation, including geographical representation across and within all world regions and representation from all U.S. states and territories.
Selection Criteria
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports outstanding American undergraduate students of limited financial means from a broad range of backgrounds to pursue study or internships abroad, during which they gain skills that promote individual growth, contribute to career readiness, serve as citizen ambassadors, and support American economic competitiveness and national security. A successful Gilman applicant will describe how a specific program and destination will enable the applicant to reach their academic and/or career goals. A successful applicant will also clearly articulate what they anticipate gaining academically and professionally from their experience abroad.
Note: Preference will be given to applicants who have not studied abroad before and to Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The mission of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange. The Gilman Program plays an essential role in achieving this mission as study abroad is a form of citizen diplomacy through educational exchange. Gilman Scholars represent the United States as citizen ambassadors in their host communities, reflecting a balanced representation of the United States abroad. A successful Gilman applicant will articulate how he or she anticipates contributing to the goal of building mutual understanding by sharing his or her own background and experiences as a U.S. citizen, as well as learning about and building meaningful connections within the host community.
Upon return to the United States, Gilman Scholars inspire the next wave of 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 increase awareness of study abroad and the Gilman Program among their peers in their home communities and campuses. A successful Gilman applicant will design a Follow-on Service Project proposal that is feasible, utilizes one’s experience abroad, and connects to various groups of Americans studying at a broad range of U.S. higher education institutions.
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 the academic preparedness needed to benefit from a study abroad or international internship program. They should disclose any significant challenges they have faced in their academic career and discuss how they will be academically successful on 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 U.S. Department of State is dedicated to supporting students who are studying a critical need language (those deemed important to national security and diplomacy). Applicants are considered for this category if while abroad they are taking a course taught in a critical need language, studying a critical need language, or both. If they are studying in a country in which the language is not predominantly spoken, they should explain the benefits, resources, and their reasoning for choosing their destination. 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 personal, academic, and 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 research as part of their study abroad or international internship program. The research must already be formally integrated into their credit-bearing program. A successful applicant should demonstrate a strong motivation to their STEM field(s) and how this research 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.
