External Scholarly Recognitions
The Kielstra Center for Research and Scholarship seeks to guide and support top academic students in pursuit of external scholarly recognitions and fellowships.
Students, please fill out this form to indicate your interest in one or more of the opportunities below. Completing this form does not obligate you to apply, but simply helps you determine some next steps.
There are several on-campus representatives available to help students navigate the application process for the following programs:
UNDERGRADUATE, SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate. Apply September-January of Sophomore or Junior year.
Dordt University representative: Dr. Carl Fictorie
UNDERGRADUATE, STUDY ABROAD
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic competitiveness. Apply by October 1st (Cycle 1), or March 3rd (Cycle 2).
Dordt University representative: Kielstra Center
UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, STUDY ABROAD, LANGUAGE STUDY
Boren Awards, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
Boren Scholarships fund study abroad by U.S. undergraduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests. February application deadline.
Boren Fellowships fund research and language study proposals by U.S. graduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests. January application deadline.
Dordt University representative: Kielstra Center
POST-UNDERGRADUATE, STUDY ABROAD
The Davies-Jackson Scholarship presents a unique opportunity for students with exceptional academic records, who are among the first generation in their families to graduate college, to participate in a course of study at St. John’s College at the University of Cambridge. Scholars are admitted as affiliated students and have the opportunity to take more advanced parts of a Cambridge degree course and qualify for a Cambridge BA in two years instead of the usual three. Following the completion of their first year of study, some Scholars have opted into a one-year M. Phil program at the discretion of the Senior Tutor at St. John’s.
The Davies-Jackson Scholarship covers all fees, room, and board during term-time for up to two academic years (beginning in September), and living expenses during summer vacation. Travel to and from England also is covered. The award is valued at $50,000, depending on prevailing exchange rates. Not currently accepting applications.
Dordt University representative: Rikki Brons
UNDERGRADUATE
Disc* (Design & Innovation for Sustainable Cities) is an immersive five-week summer program for college students offered by UC Berkeley's College of Environmental Design that explores an interdisciplinary and multi-scalar approach to design and analysis in the urban environment. Disc* participants engage in the discourses of urban innovation and develop creative solutions to tackle the urgent challenges global cities face today. Disc* is open to eligible students from any college or university. No prior experience in design is necessary. Application deadline May 15, 2022 (International Students, May 1, 2022).
Dordt University Representative: Kielstra Center
POST-UNDERGRADUATE, STUDY ABROAD
The Davies-Jackson Scholarship provides a unique opportunity for seniors graduating in 2020 (or who have graduated in 2019 and who have not yet begun graduate school) with a 3.7 or higher overall grade point average. Applicants should be among the first generation in their family to graduate from a four-year college or university and must be U.S. citizens. Applications should be made directly through the Scholarship and not through the University system. The Cambridge Affiliated BA degree is distinguished in terms of academic rigor, international travel opportunities, and overall preparation for a career. The Davies-Jackson Scholarship covers all fees, room, and board during term-time for up to two academic years (beginning in September), and living expenses during summer vacation. Travel to and from England also is covered. The award is valued at $50,000, depending on prevailing exchange rates. Apply September-October of Senior year, or within 1 year of graduating without beginning graduate school.
Dordt University representative: Rikki Brons
UNDERGRADUATE, STUDY ABROAD
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Apply during academic term before study abroad program.
Dordt University representative: Dr. Justin Bailey
POST-UNDERGRADUATE, STUDY ABROAD
The George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service. Apply by September of Senior year.
Dordt University representative: Kielstra Center
UNDERGRADUATE, POLICY RESEARCH, CIVIC EDUCATION
The Hatfield Prize awards funding annually to three student-faculty pairs from Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) institutions to research policies that impact vulnerable children, families, and communities.
Dordt University representative: Dr. Abby Foreman
UNDERGRADUATE, POLICY RESEARCH, CIVIC EDUCATION
The Hatfield Prize awards funding annually to three student-faculty pairs from Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) institutions to research policies that impact vulnerable children, families, and communities.
Dordt University representative: Dr. Abby Foreman
GRADUATE AWARD, HISTORY
James Madison Fellowship: U.S. citizens who demonstrate a commitment to civic responsibilities and to professional and collegial activities and who qualify for admission with graduate standing at an accredited U.S. university that offers a qualifying master's degree program are eligible to apply. Applicants must be committed to teaching American history, American government, or civics classes where you will teach topics on the Constitution full-time in grades 7–12. March application deadline.
Dordt University representative: Dr. Paul Fessler
GRADUATE, HUMANITIES AND ARTS
The Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts seeks to strengthen the quality and shape the character of church-related institutions of higher learning in the twenty-first century. The program supports for three years of their graduate education, exceptionally well qualified young men and women who have undergraduate degrees from LFP Network Schools and who are interested in becoming teacher-scholars at church-related colleges and universities in the United States. January application deadline.
Dordt University representative: Dr. Bob De Smith
GRADUATE, STUDY ABROAD, HUMANITIES, SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND ARTS
The Marshall is a postgraduate scholarship that allows recent graduates with exceptional academic ability and a 3.7 GPA to study and complete a one-year or two-year graduate program at a university in the United Kingdom in the humanities, social sciences, or arts while encouraging them to become better acquainted with the UK. Criteria include “Academic Merit, Leadership Potential, Ambassadorship Potential.” The application for this program is quite involved—for both student and faculty members. September application deadline.
Dordt University representative: Kielstra Center
GRADUATE, STEM
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing researchbased master's and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. October application deadline.
Dordt University representatives: Dr. Justin Vander Werff & Dr. Manuela Ayee
UNDERGRADUATE, STUDY ABROAD
The Oxford Program, designed for undergraduates with a 3.7 GPA and is offered as both a summer program and a full-semester program (17 credits), involving a course in the physical and intellectual landscape of England, two tutorial series, a lecture series, and accommodations for living in Wycliffe Hall. Students work one-on-one with professors and spend most of their time in research, discussion, and travel. Rolling deadline until spots are filled.
Dordt University representative: Rebecca Tervo
GRADUATE, STUDY ABROAD, LEADERSHIP
The Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world. Each year, 32 young students from the United States are selected as Rhodes Scholars, through a decentralized process representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. Applicants from more than 320 American colleges and universities have been selected as Rhodes Scholars. In most years, even after a century of competition, a Rhodes Scholar is selected from an institution which has not formerly supplied a successful applicant. Apply July-October of Senior year.
Dordt University representative: Kielstra Center
GRADUATE, FOREIGN SERVICE
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program is a program funded by the U.S. Department of State, administered by Howard University, that attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State. It welcomes the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the State Department, women, and those with financial need. Based on the fundamental principle that diversity is a strength in our diplomatic efforts, the program values varied backgrounds, including ethnic, racial, social, and geographic diversity. Apply by September of Senior year.
Dordt University representative: Kielstra Center
GRADUATE, LEADERSHIP, PUBLIC SERVICE
Truman Scholars: Created by Congress in 1975, the Foundation was President Truman’s idea. A living memorial that would support future generations who answer the call to public service leadership. Apply by February of Senior year.
Dordt University representative: Dr. Abby Foreman
UNDERGRADUATE, LEADERSHIP, PUBLIC SERVICE
The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. Awarded to college Sophomores and Juniors. Apply September-March prior to Sophomore/Junior Year.
Dordt University representative: Dr. Robert De Hann
GRADUATE, STUDY/RESEARCH, ENGLISH TEACHING
The Fulbright Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs. A candidate will submit a Statement of Grant Purpose defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S. Apply April-October.
Dordt University representative: Dr. Mark McCarthy