As we mark Independence Day, many of us will be thinking of the diversity of the American experience.  There are a number of scholarships which celebrate students’ intersecting identities.   

For example, the Paul and Daisy Soros Scholarship for New Americans provides generous funding for graduate school to immigrants or children of immigrants.  Check out this link to read about more awards for immigrant or first-generation college students.  BIPOC students can find a number of awards given to people of various ethnicities here.   

Learning ally, an organization that provides audio books to people with print and learning disabilities sponsors the National Achievement Awards.  These celebrate the achievements of students in these communities and are intended to provide role models for younger students.  You can learn more about scholarships for students with disabilities here. 

Students who are members of the LGBTQ community can find awards offered by their local PFLAG chapter.  In addition, this link gives a number of other awards for LGBTQ students, including some linked to law and social justice activism.  

As you peruse these links, keep in mind that applications may now be closed.  You can use information about previous deadlines to give you an idea of when the next application cycles will open.  Please contact the fellowships office at prestigiousawards@pace.edu to discuss funding opportunities you are considering and for assistance with your applications.       

Here in the United States, June 19th marks an important milestone in our history and commemorates efforts to increase equality. 

Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, celebrates the June 19th, 1865 statement by General Gordon Granger that the Emancipation Proclamation would be enforced by the troops then occupying Texas.  In these days of instant news and online activism, it is hard to believe that it could take over two years for slavery to be completely abolished.   

If you are interested in using today’s media to address crucial global issues, check out NPR’s Crock Fellowship.  In addition, the Radio Television Digital News Association offers a number of awards for college students “pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism”. Several of these recognize the achievements of journalists of color. If you are interested in a career as a civil rights lawyer, learn about the Marshall- Motley Scholars Program which provides generous funding for law school and professional development.   

For these or other national fellowships, please feel free to email prestigiousawards@pace.edu for assistance.   

As we mark Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’d like to highlight an opportunity to celebrate the connections between the people of the United States and Asia. The application for the 2024–2025 class of Luce Scholars is now open.

The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship that offers early career leaders immersive, professional experiences in Asia. The program aims to forge stronger, more informed, more compassionate relationships across geographic borders by creating opportunities for young Americans across diverse sectors and interests to deepen their ties and understanding of the countries, cultures, and people of Asia.

Established in 1974, the Luce Scholars program is experiential in nature, rather than academic. It provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia for 15–18 Luce Scholars each year, and welcomes applications from college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals in a variety of fields who have had limited exposure to Asia. Applicants are asked to reflect on their leadership qualities and other professional attributes.

If you have questions or are interested in applying, please email the Office of Prestigious Awards. The Office will be hosting an information session with a representative of the Luce Scholarship in September, so please check your Pace email and social media for updates; specific details will be circulated as they are finalized.

For more information about the Henry Luce Foundation and the Luce Scholars program, visit their webpage. For more information about research and award opportunities at Pace, visit the Office of Research webpage.