Citizenship Not Required Funding Opportunities

So many prominent fellowships and scholarships--especially federal programs like the NSF GRFP--limit eligibility to those with American citizenship that it can seem impossible to find less restrictive options. However, many funding opportunities do not require American citizenship--or any citizenship documentation at all. The awards assembled here represent a selection of these opportunities. While many of the awards on this page are specifically for graduate students of certain ethnic heritages or underserved groups, others are open to applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences regardless of citizenship status.

Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners Scholarship Program
Awards up to $2000 to graduate students of any level who are pursuing a degree in a natural, physical, or biological science and intend to seek a career in forensic science.

Byron Hanke Fellowship
Available for graduate students whose research projects relate to the development, management and governance of common interest communities and their community associations. Awarded by The Foundation for Community Association Research and the stipend amount is up to $5,000.

Center for Engaged Scholarship
This $30,000 award is intended for advanced (ABD) PhD students researching social science or the humanities. Eligible fields include American Studies, anthropology, cultural studies, economics, English and comparative literature, gender and women's studies, geography, history, philosophy, political science, and sociology. Students engaged in similar research in interdisciplinary programs such as ethnic studies or American studies are also eligible. December submission deadline.

Charlotte W. Newcombe Fellowship
Intended to encourage original and significant study of religion, ethics, values or morals, this $31,000 one-year dissertation fellowship is available for advanced (ABD) PhD students. The application is open primarily to fields of study in the humanities and social sciences. Scholars engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math fields may apply provided questions of religion, ethics, or values are central to the dissertation. November submission deadline.

Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides financial support for students who are active and emerging organizers in progressive movements for liberation, self-determination and social and economic justice in their communities. Awards up to $15,000 annually and the application deadline is April 1.

BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Equity Through Education Scholarship
This $10,000 USD scholarship is open to graduate students pursuing a degree in business/commerce, computer science, engineering, math, physics, statistics, or a related discipline and are interested in a career in financial services with a focus on capital markets preferred. Applicants must be a person with a (visible or non-visible) disability (defined as someone who has, or considers themselves to have, a long-term or recurring, issue that impacts one or more major activities that others may consider to be a daily function); this definition also includes the perception among others that a disability exists. Applications open January 14th, 2025. 

Great Minds in STEM Scholarship
In addition to pursuing a STEM degree, eligible applicants must be of Hispanic descent and/or demonstrate significant service within the community. Awards range from $500-$5000. See website for application deadline.

Harvey Fellowship
Intended for full-time graduate students who profess personal faith in Jesus Christ and intend to enter vocational field underrepresented by Christians, this fellowship awards a $16,000 stipend, renewable annually for a maximum of three years. Eligibility for renewable is contingent both upon degree type and Fellow's academic standing. Successful applicants tend to be preparing for careers in research, teaching, and administration at premier secular colleges and universities; economics, business, and finance in public and private sector; international diplomacy, security, and business; journalism and media; film production and visual and performing arts; public policy and federal, state, and major city government; and applied and theoretical sciences.

Hispanic Scholarship Consortium Scholarship
The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium offers an array of scholarships to graduate students who are of Hispanic/Latino heritage and reside in Texas.

Institute for Humane Studies Fellowship
Applicants for Humane Studies Fellowship awards must be enrolled in a PhD program or be undertaking a post-doctoral fellowship. Previous applicants and winners are welcome to apply. Prior participation in IHS programs is not required. While there are no specific citizenship requirements, the fellowship gives preference to applicants studying at top universities. Preference given to IHS areas of focus (see website for more detail). Award amounts up to $5000.

Korean American Scholarship Foundation
KASF scholarships (which range from $500 to $5,000) are offered to the qualified Korean American students (including foreign students from Korea). All applicants must be enrolled in a full-time program in the U.S during the scholarship application year. If extra funds are available, other students (non-Koreans) may qualify for scholarships. Specifically, descendants of American veterans served during the Korean War may qualify for scholarships (applicable to selective regions).

Louisville Institute Dissertation Fellowship
This fellowship (up to $35,000) is intended to fund the final year of dissertation writing for PhD students whose research relates to North American Christianity. Successful project proposals will have the potential to strengthen the religious life of North American Christians and advance American religious scholarship. Applicable fields include history, ethics, the social sciences, biblical studies, and historical, systematic, and practical theology, as well as interdisciplinary programs.

Meta Research PhD Fellowship Program 
Must be a PhD student in computer science or engineering. Fellowship covers two years of tuition, travel costs to Meta headquarters for the annual Fellowship Summit, and a $42,000 annual living stipend. Currently not available.

Momeni Foundation Financial Assistance Scholarship
Awards $1000 scholarships to graduate students of any level of Iranian descent, regardless of citizenship or country of residency. 

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Intended for immigrants and children of immigrants in the United States, eligible students must be in their first or second year of graduate school. Additionally, their parents must have been born outside of the U.S. as non-U.S. citizens. The fellowship awards up to $90,000 over two years.

The Point Foundation Scholarship
The Flagship Scholarship is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students earning a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. 

The Prism Foundation Scholarships
Prism Foundation provides scholarships to outstanding students who are making a positive impact on the Asian & Pacific Islander and LGBTQ+ communities. While applicants should have a strong history of work and impact within these communities, they do not need to identify as either to apply. Scholarships range from $1000 to $5000.

Society of Exploration Geophysicists
These merit-based scholarships, ranging from $500-$10,000, are awarded to graduate students planning on a career in applied geophysics.

Society of Women Engineers Scholarship
Eligible applicants must identify as women and be enrolled in engineering or related programs. 

Turco Muñoz Domestic Violence Survivor Scholarship
Applicants must have some victim advocacy experience serving DV survivors (e.g., experiences as a victim advocate, family law paralegal, social worker, investigator, or other employee of an organization whose mission is to serve domestic violence survivors) and must be enrolled in law school or other graduate program with applicable field of study. Scholarship awards $1000.

United Methodist Church Higher Education and Ministry Scholarships
Various requirements and award amounts. Many (not all) require UMC membership.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Graduate students and researchers from a variety of fields who share a common interest in the nonlinear dynamics of rotating, stratified fluids share an intense ten-week research experience, and vigorous discussions of concepts that span different disciplines. Fellows pursue a research project under the supervision of the staff and present a lecture and a written report for a proceedings volume. Fellows accepted to participate in the GFD Program will receive a stipend $8,430 and an allowance for travel expenses within the United States. Fellows are expected to fully participate for the full ten weeks of the program.