Essays

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 two Representing America Abroad and Hometown Impact essays below are equally important in the selection process. Carefully review the essay prompts, read the Gilman selection criteria, and ask a trusted resource (an advisor, writing center staff, professor, mentor, etc.) to proofread your essay for spelling, grammar, and content prior to submission.

Short Essay 3: Gilman Scholars as Citizen Diplomats (max of 500 words)

Gilman Scholars represent the United States overseas as citizen diplomats and are expected to build meaningful connections in their host communities. While studying or interning abroad, Gilman Scholars will have the opportunity to share what it means to be an American citizen with their host communities, which is particularly relevant as we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

• Describe your plans and strategies for engaging your host community and showcasing what it means to be an American. Articulate any specific plans that involve showcasing America’s 250th anniversary while in your host community.

Short Essay 4: Contributions to U.S. Communities and Follow-on Service Project Proposal (max of 500 words) 

Gilman Scholars return to their communities across the United States with global networks and foreign language skills that support U.S. prosperity.  As part of this effort, Gilman Scholars are expected to complete a Follow-on Service Project, which aims to highlight the critical role of study abroad in enhancing U.S. national competitiveness and security and the benefits of the Gilman Program.

• How do you plan to leverage and share the knowledge and skills gained overseas on return to the United States?
• How you will raise awareness of the value of study abroad and highlight support available through the Gilman Program?
• Who is the primary audience for your follow-on service project and why have you selected them?

For more information and recommendations, see examples below of some Follow-on Service Projects and check out our VIDEO on the Follow-on Service Project Proposal.

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.

In no more than 300 words, address all the required prompts below:

• What are your motivations for learning and/or improving proficiency in your targeted language for your academic and/or career success?
• Describe your plan to develop your language skills while studying abroad, both inside and outside of the classroom setting.

This information is correct as of September 2025.

You may also use the Critical Need Language Award to study a foreign sign language. Apply for the target language (for instance, Japanese) and explain in your application that you will be studying reading, writing, speaking, and/or Japanese sign language.

**The CNLA for Hebrew language is offered through the generous support of our partners at the Embassy of Israel to the United States. At this time, Israel is not an eligible location for Gilman applicants due to the current Travel Advisory level. 

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 or internship as part of their overseas program. The coursework must be formally integrated into their credit-bearing program.

In no more than 300 words, address the required prompt below:

• Please summarize your STEM-related coursework overseas and how it contributes to your future academic and/or career goals.

• Development of a study abroad information page for the department or major website that lists a suggested academic timeline encouraging students to incorporate study abroad into their degree, in consultation with their department and study abroad office.
• Organizing information on study abroad programs that offer coursework and academic credit in their field of study and links to Gilman and other scholarships and financial aid information that support these opportunities.
• Presentations on study abroad and the Gilman scholarship at academic club or honor society meetings.
• Development of a brochure or informational flyer specific to the student’s academic department or field of study that is then posted in the study abroad office.
• Serving as a mentor/peer advisor to potential study abroad students in their field of study.
• Submitting an article to their academic department newsletter on their experiences abroad and the Gilman scholarship either while the student is still overseas or upon their return.

Students often propose to work with a specific on-campus office including the Disability Services offices, Career Centers, Financial Aid offices, Student Leadership offices, and other campus offices. Examples of these projects include:

• Promoting and encouraging study abroad opportunities and the Gilman scholarship through presentations to student clubs and organizations and through office organized events.
• Posting information on the Gilman Program in specific campus offices.
• Adding a web page to the official website that highlights study abroad opportunities, the Gilman Program, and information that would be of help/interest to students.
• Serving as an official representative at campus fairs and events by sharing information on study abroad and the Gilman scholarship.

This is the most common type of Service Project students propose and can be very beneficial to increase study abroad participation at your home institution. Consider consulting with the study abroad office to address any challenges or needs your home institution faces in order to offer support through your project and positively impact your campus and peers.

• Volunteering or working in the study abroad office as a Peer Mentor/Advisor to potential study abroad students, sharing information about the Gilman Program.
• Representing the study abroad office and the Gilman Program at presentations/information sessions on study abroad.
• Ensuring the study abroad office website has a Scholarship Information page and that a link to the Gilman Program’s website is provided.
• Submitting an article on their experiences abroad and Gilman Program to the Study Abroad office newsletter for distribution or publication, either while they are still abroad or upon their return.
• Developing an informational flyer/brochure on university-specific financial aid procedures for study abroad and available scholarships, including the Gilman scholarship which is then housed in the study abroad office.
• Participating in/organizing a Study Abroad Alumni society which assists returned and potential study abroad students, sharing information about the Gilman scholarship.
• Serving as a resource person for a specific country/program/field of study that would advise/assist potential study abroad students, sharing information about the Gilman Program.

• Submitting a weekly or monthly article on their experiences overseas to their campus or hometown newspaper while the students are abroad, thereby sharing information with a wide range of readers and including information on the Gilman Program.
• Submitting an article or series of articles on their experiences abroad and the Gilman Program to their campus or hometown paper upon their return to the U.S.
• Working with another local organization to share information on study abroad and the country they studied in with their members.
• Presenting on study abroad opportunities and the Gilman Program at Freshman Orientation or in First-Year Experiences courses thereby encouraging students to consider study abroad earlier rather than later.
• Hosting a photography exhibit on their campus or in their community, sharing about their experience abroad, international opportunities that exist and the Gilman Scholarship.
• Presenting art created in or focused on their host country on their campus or in their community, including information on international education and the Gilman Scholarship.