Undergraduate Student Funding Opportunities

The European Studies Center is committed to enhancing undergraduate education through the interdisciplinary study of Europe and the European Union. In addition to coursework, students are encouraged to pursue opportunities outside the classroom. Information about scholarships, fellowships, and internships during and after their undergraduate career is found below. For additional information, please arrange to meet with the Assistant Director, Steve Lund.

Rules governing student awards from the European Studies Center can be found on the Award Guidelines for Faculty and Students webpage. These should be read carefully as failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in a loss of funding. Also take note of the University's Standards and Guidelines.

Please see below to learn more about specific grants, deadlines, eligibility, and application procedures.

 

FLAS Fellowships

Applications due February 17, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EST. Click here to apply.
Purpose:
FLAS fellowships are administered by the U.S. Department of Education through selected grantee institutions. The University of Pittsburgh has been selected as a grantee institution for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships for the 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 academic years. The FLAS Fellowship program is a prestigious and competitive federal award that allows eligible Pitt undergraduate and graduate students to compete for fellowships that will allow them to devote greater attention to the study of a chosen modern foreign language and area studies specialty.

Eligibility:
Awards are available to Pitt undergraduate and graduate students focusing on Arabic, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, French, Gaelic, German, Greek (Modern), Hebrew (Modern), Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, or Turkish.

Funding:
The Fellowship covers some or all tuition costs, may cover fees, and provides awardees with a stipend. There are separate competitions for the Academic Year FLAS Fellowship (2025-2026) and the Summer FLAS Fellowship.The Fellowships are offered for the 2025 summer term or the 2025-26 academic year.

Application Procedure:
Please visit the FLAS Fellowship website for additional information and application details. Interested students should meet with Steve Lund.

European Studies Center Study Abroad Scholarships

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Click here to apply.
Purpose:
The ESC Study Abroad Scholarships are designed to help Pitt undergraduate students enrolled in one of the ESC’s certificate programs, or the Related Concentration in European and Eurasian Studies, incorporate study abroad into their academic program.

Eligibility:
Awards are available to Pitt undergraduate students enrolled in one of the ESC’s certificate programs, or the Related Concentration in European and Eurasian Studies, participating in a University of Pittsburgh (“Pitt in…”) program, during the spring, summer or fall terms.

Funding:
  • Awards range from $1,000 to $1,500.
Application Procedure:
  • Complete and submit an application on Submittable.
  • Upload a written proposal of no more than two double-spaced pages. The proposal should explain how the study abroad program fits into your studies and/or pre-professional goals, and what you hope to gain by studying abroad.

Pre and Post Award Guidelines:

Please consult the Pre and Post Award Guidelines before applying for information on how funds may be used and the grant and reporting obligations. For questions on eligibility or for further information, please contact Steve Lund, Assistant Director, or Erica Edwards, Associate Director.

Harris N. Miller and Deborah A. Kahn Study Abroad in Europe Award

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Click here to apply.
Purpose:
This award was created by Harris Miller and Deborah A. Khan to support undergraduate students participating in study, internships, or research in Europe. A native of Pittsburgh, Miller received his BA from Pitt and his MPhil from Yale. He spent his career in public policy work, working in Washington D.C. for the Carter Administration and on Capitol Hill for Congressman Ron Mazzoli. Miller was a staunch advocate of educational opportunities and travel; the award commemorates those loves.

Eligibility:
Awards for undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs (both Pitt and non-Pitt programs), internships, or research in Europe. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the ESC’s academic programs, as well as students who have not studied abroad previously.

Funding:
  • Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.
  • Applicants are encouraged to show efforts to secure matching funds from their department, school, or other external sources.
Application Procedure:
  • Complete and submit an application on Submittable.
  • Upload a written proposal of no more than two double-spaced pages. The proposal should explain how the study abroad program fits into your studies and/or pre-professional goals, and what you hope to gain by studying abroad.

Pre and Post Award Guidelines:

Please consult the Pre and Post Award Guidelines before applying for information on how funds may be used and the grant and reporting obligations. For questions on eligibility or for further information, please contact Steve Lund, Assistant Director, or Erica Edwards, Associate Director.

Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Applications due February 17, 2025. Click here to apply.
Purpose:
Funded through grants from the European Union and the U.S. Department of Education, this fellowship is for undergraduate research pursuing research on Europe and/or the European Union. Student fellows will work with faculty mentors to develop their research agenda and design in the spring seminar, conduct research in the summer, and write up the research findings in the fall. Interested students should contact Erica Edwards, Associate Director of the ESC, for guidance crafting proposals and obtaining faculty mentors.

Eligibility:
Awards are for advanced undergraduate students. Students must secure a faculty mentor to direct their project. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the ESC’s academic programs.

Funding:
  • Awards for students - $5,000.
  • Awards for faculty mentors - $1,500.
Application Procedure:
  • Complete and submit an application on Submittable.
  • Upload a written proposal of no more than five double-spaced pages. In the text of the proposal, please include a section addressing precisely how the funds will be used.
  • Upload a detailed budget listing all estimated expenses.
  • Upload a commitment letter from a faculty mentor.
  • Upload a copy of the IRB approval documentation (if applicable).

Pre and Post Award Guidelines:

Please consult the Pre and Post Award Guidelines before applying for information on how funds may be used and the grant and reporting obligations. For questions on eligibility or for further information, please contact Erica Edwards, Associate Director.

Friedl E. Kessler Memorial Fellowship

Applications are due February 24, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. EST. Click here to apply.
Purpose:
The Friedl E. Kessler Memorial Fellowship was set up to defray the costs for undergraduate students studying or conducting research in Germany.
Eligibility:
Awards are available for undergraduate students studying German at the University of Pittsburgh Oakland campus. To apply, the student must have at least a 3.0 QPA. In addition, the student must be enrolled in one of the following certificate programs:
  • West European Studies Certificate
  • European Union Studies Certificate
  • Transatlantic Studies Certificate
Funding:
  • Awards for students: $1,000
Application Procedure:
  • Complete and submit an application on Submittable.
  • Upload a written proposal of no more than two double-spaced pages. The proposal should explain how the study abroad program or research opportunity fits into your studies and/or pre-professional goals, and what you hope to gain by studying abroad.
  • Upload a copy of the IRB approval documentation (if applicable).

Pre and Post Award Guidelines:

Please consult the Pre and Post Award Guidelines before applying for information on how funds may be used and the grant and reporting obligations. For questions on eligibility or for further information, please contact Steve Lund, Assistant Director, or Erica Edwards, Associate Director.