Fellowships & Postgraduate Scholarships Program

Fellowships are competitive awards that provide recognition and funding to pursue opportunities outside of Smith that involve research, language study, public service, and teaching. The terms “fellowship” and “scholarship” may be used interchangeably. Competitive summer internships and other experiential programs are often considered fellowships as well.

There are fellowships that you can apply for at all stages of your undergraduate career. Applying for these early career opportunities can help you build credentials and gain experience to be a more competitive candidate for graduate school as well as highly competitive postgraduate scholarships.

How should I choose which fellowships to apply for?
If the opportunity provided by the award will help you advance academic interests and skills that you have developed at Smith, you should consider applying. Finding the right fit between what you are looking to do and what the award has to offer is essential. Also worthy of consideration is whether the particular opportunity is a good next step for you developmentally.

What does a fellowship application involve?
Application materials vary by award but often include a series of essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, a resume, and sometimes a video clip. Developing a strong application requires articulating a plan for your future and for your time as an awardee. You must also demonstrate that you are a good fit for the award and awarding organization’s values/goals.

How much time does it take to apply for a fellowship?
It depends on the fellowship. Generally speaking, earlier career awards will require less of you than postgraduate opportunities. Postgraduate awards generally require four to six months of planning and drafting while earlier opportunities with simpler applications can be completed within a few weeks. Likewise, opportunities which you can apply for directly without Smith support do not demand as much time. Nonetheless, successful applications often require multiple drafts and require a substantial time commitment. As a general rule you should determine what you plan to apply for in the coming academic year during the spring semester prior.

What is a “nominated” or “endorsed” fellowship?
Nominated or endorsed fellowships require that you apply through Smith College, meaning that you cannot submit an application without working with the fellowship office. In many cases, this type of fellowship limits the number of applicants that Smith can put forward in any given application year.

Why does Smith have campus deadlines?
Smith has campus deadlines because fellowships requiring nomination/endorsement often limit the number of candidates we can put forward. This requires that we have an internal selection process well in advance of the external fellowship deadline. Campus deadlines also allow us to provide students with the necessary support they need as they navigate complex applications and multiple drafts of essays.

What are the benefits of applying beyond funding?
Applying for a fellowship can help you clarify your goals – both for the immediate future as well as for your longer career arc. Most fellowship applications require you to think through what you plan to do if you receive funding, why you want to do it, and how it fits into what you are thinking about doing after the funding period. Also, applying as well as receiving the award can help you broaden your circle of mentors and open up new possibilities.