Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) provides up to $5,000 in merit-based scholarships to outstanding American undergraduate students with high financial need to pursue credit-bearing academic studies and career-oriented internships abroad. These opportunities equip Gilman Scholars with international experience, global networks, and foreign language skills essential to advancing the U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.

To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.

The program encourages students to study or intern abroad in all world regions and from all U.S. states, academic fields, and types of institutions. 72% of all Gilman scholars come from small towns or rural communities across the United States.

In addition to the standard Gilman award, the Gilman Program offers limited supplemental funding opportunities for students who want to conduct STEM-related coursework or internships abroad as part of their study abroad or international internship program and students studying critical languages (those deemed important to national security).

Mission of the Gilman Program

• Develop a generation of future American leaders with the career skills and international networks to advance U.S. national security and economic prosperity.
• Support young Americans to gain the professional skills, language abilities, and knowledge of the world needed for successful careers.
• Expand the destinations where U.S. students study and intern abroad, in order to build relationships, foster mutual understanding, and represent American culture and values, critical to national security.

Nearly 3,000 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study or intern abroad.