2025 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Gilman Program is a competitive, merit-based scholarship. 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.  Almost 60% 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 research 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.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineAugust 7, 2025
• Value$5,000
• Study LevelUndergraduate
• SponsorUS Government
• City to studyWashington

Benefits

Award amounts can be up to $5,000 (with the opportunity to receive the supplemental Critical Need Language Award of up to $3,000 and/or the STEM Supplemental Award of up to $1,000). Financial need is based on the study abroad expenses provided by the applicant’s advisor and additional financial aid information submitted through the application. A Gilman scholar’s final award amount will be determined by financial need, program length, overall program costs and the strength of the application during the selection panel recommendation process.

Requirements

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. To be eligible for a Gilman scholarship, an applicant must be:

• A citizen or national of the United States;
• An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions);
• 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;
• In the process of applying to, or accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement;
• Applying for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country or location with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. It is important to note that certain areas within a country or location that has an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either Level 3 or Level 4; Gilman scholars will not be allowed to travel to these specific areas. Gilman scholars are unable to participate in programs located in a country or location — or an area within a country or location — that is designated as either a Level 3 (“Reconsider travel to”) or Level 4 (“Do not travel to”).

Selection Process

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports outstanding American undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue study or internships abroad, during which they gain skills that promote individual growth, contribute to career readiness, serve as citizen ambassadors, and support American economic competitiveness and national security. A successful Gilman applicant will describe how a specific program and destination will enable the applicant to reach their academic and/or career goals. A successful applicant will also clearly articulate what they anticipate gaining academically and professionally from their experience abroad.

Application Deadline

August 7, 2025

How To Apply

Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to US Government on apply.gilmanapplication.org to apply

For more details, visit the Scholarship webpage