External Scholarships and Internships

The White House Initiative on Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Development through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Initiative) announced the HBCU Scholar Recognition Program, a student recognition program designed to honor current HBCU students for their excellence, i.e., successfully preparing to compete for top opportunities that improve standards of living in their communities.

Students recognized through the HBCU Scholar Recognition Program serve as representatives of their respective institutions, and communities. The Initiative provides outreach and engagement opportunities, as well as information and resources that can be disseminated to their campus and peers. Selected students will have the opportunity to participate in regional events, virtual convenings, and monthly master classes with the Initiative staff and other professionals from a wide range of disciplines. Most importantly, students selected through this program will be able to engage and partner with one another to showcase individual and collective talent across the HBCU spectrum. 

To inform their experience, recognized students are expected to carefully assess their personal and career aspirations, as well as the needs of their institutions and communities. Students who are selected for the HBCU Scholar Program will also have the opportunity to meet with senior officials from both the White House and the U.S. Department of Education to further aid the Initiative and its partners on the best ways to support students. 

Usually, two students are selected for recommendation by the Office of the President through the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College. Interested scholars should get in touch with Ms. Renuka Nair at Renuka.nair@tsu.edu, or 713-313-5029.  

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad. Fulbright is in partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide. 

During their grants, Fulbright program awardees will meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences.  The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs, the way they do things, and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, individuals will interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding. 

The Texas Southern University Fulbright Program Adviser is Professor Leamon Green, and he can be reached at leamon.green@tsu.edu, or by phone at 713-313-7677. Also get in touch with Honors College dean Dr. Hector Miranda, at Hector.miranda@tsu.edu, or 713-313-6720. The Honors College will facilitate and assist in your application and will closely coordinate with Prof. Leamon Green. 

The English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Programs place Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to assist the local English teachers. ETAs help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. The age and academic level of the students varies by country, ranging from kindergarten to university level. Applicants for ETA Programs can apply to only one country. The program website https://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/types-of-awards/english-teaching-assistant-awards provides current information on specific country requirements and numbers of awards.  

For more information, please visit https://us.fulbrightonline.org/

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. 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 Gilman Program broadens the student population that studies and interns abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints.  The program aims to encourage students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries or areas and world regions. The program also encourages students to study languages, especially critical need languages (those deemed important to national security). Veterans of military service are encouraged to apply, and preference is given to veterans when other factors are equivalent. By supporting undergraduate students who have high financial need, the program has been successful in supporting students who have been historically underrepresented in education abroad, including but not limited to first-generation college students, ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, students attending HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) or other minority-serving institutions, students attending community colleges, rural students, and students coming from U.S. states with less study abroad participation. 

For more information, please visit https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/program-overview/ 

or get in touch with the Honors College dean Hector.miranda@tsu.edu (phone) 713-313-6720, or with Ms. Renuka Nair Renuka.nair@tsu.edu, phone 713-313-5029.

The Strada HBCU Initiative focuses on supporting the next generation of leaders by providing leadership development, academic support, crucial social engagement, and many other opportunities that could lead to meaningful career pathways.  

For more details, please visit their website at https://stradaeducation.org/strada-scholars/ and contact Mr. Shandon Neal at 713-313-1180 or email Shandon.neal@tsu.edu. 

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, also referred to as the Ronald McNair Scholars Program is a research-based program grant funded by the US Department of Education to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from the underrepresented segments of society, including first-generation low-income individuals and members of racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in graduate programs. The Texas Southern University McNair Program has a GRE Prep program, as well as a Summer Research Institute component which culminates into a symposium.  

For more details, please contact Ms. Renuka Nair at 713-313-5029 or email Renuka.Nair@tsu.edu.

The Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative (H&LS) is excited to launch the Du Bois Scholars Program, a fully funded, 9-week summer research internship at Harvard College for scholars from select R2 and research-focused Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Prospective Du Bois Scholars will apply to the program by selecting the project and faculty mentor they desire to work with during the summer. Scholars will receive dedicated hands-on mentorship and gain access to a rigorous research and learning environment that fosters intellectual growth and personal development. The program will conclude with a final presentation of their research to fellow scholars, faculty mentors, and teams. 

Scholars will live in the Harvard residential community and participate in programming with scholars from the Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village (HSURV), creating relationships and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Learn more about The Du Bois Scholars Program here

The list below is for undergraduates and post-baccalaureates who are transitioning to professional schools.   

Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program.

https://goldwaterscholarship.gov/

Provides scholarships to undergraduates who intend to pursue research careers in science, mathematics, and engineering.   

Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship.

https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship

For undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities.   

NOAA Educational and Partnership Program (EPP) Undergraduate Scholarship.

https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/epp-msi/undergraduate-scholarship

Provides two years of undergraduate study scholarship for minority students majoring in STEM fields. Participants conduct research at a NOAA facility during two paid summer internships.   

Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation

Awards scholarships to students planning to pursue careers in government Scholars receive $30,000 for graduate or professional school, participate in leadership development activities, and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government.   

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship.

https://twc.edu/programs/thomas-r-pickering-foreign-affairs-fellowship

Provides undergraduate students with financial support, mentoring, and professional development to prepare them professionally for a career in the U. S. Department of State Foreign Service.  

Texas Conservation Alliance (TCA) Careers in Conservation Internship Program.   

Texas Conservation Alliance (TCA) is seeking interns who are passionate about protecting Texas wildlife and their habitats. TCA’s Careers in Conservation Internship Program is helping train the future conservation leaders of Texas. Participants work alongside TCA’s seasoned conservation professionals and experience the frontlines of saving wildlife and their habitats in the state. Internship projects vary, but the opportunity to develop technical acumen, exercise transferable skills, and cultivate conservation leadership is integral to every TCA experience.   

Successful candidates will work with TCA staff to implement wildlife conservation projects. The 10-week internship offers opportunities to make positive impacts on wildlife and provides valuable, hands-on, learning experiences and professional development opportunities applicable to future careers in sustainability and conservation. For details please visit.

https://www.tcatexas.org/internships