Academic Honors and FellowshipsExternal fellowships provide funding for experiences that help students grow academically, professionally, and personally. Whether you’re interested in graduate school, conducting research, teaching abroad, studying a new language, pursuing public service, or exploring another part of the world, fellowships can help make those experiences possible.
At USC, Academic Honors and Fellowships (AHF) helps students and recent alumni explore opportunities that align with their interests, strengths, and future goals. You do not need to have your entire future figured out before getting started. Many students begin simply by exploring what’s possible.
What is a Fellowship?
A fellowship is funding that supports an educational experience beyond the traditional classroom. Every fellowship has a different mission and selection criteria, but many are designed to help students pursue meaningful experiences that align with their academic interests, career goals, and personal values.
Depending on the opportunity, fellowships may provide financial support for:
- Graduate or professional school
- Research projects
- International study
- Language immersion
- Internships
USC Awards vs. External Fellowships
Although they both provide funding and opportunities, USC Awards and External Fellowships are different.
| USC Awards | External Fellowships |
| Sponsored by USC | Sponsored by national or international organizations and foundations |
| Support undergraduate experiences such as research, global learning, and civic engagement | Support graduate study, research, teaching, internships, public service, language study, and more |
| Managed directly by USC | Applications are submitted to organizations outside the university |
| Available exclusively to USC students | Many opportunities are open to students and recent alumni nationwide |
How Do I Apply?
Not all fellowships follow the same application process. Opportunities generally fall into one of two categories.
University Endorsement Required
Some nationally competitive fellowships require applicants to participate in a USC campus process before submitting a national application.
Through this process, applicants receive advising, written feedback, and often participate in a campus interview with USC faculty and staff. For fellowships that limit the number of applicants each university may nominate, USC selects its nominees through this review process.
Even for applicants who are not ultimately endorsed, participating in the campus process provides valuable opportunities to strengthen writing, refine future goals, and receive mentorship from faculty and staff.
Direct-Apply Opportunities
Many fellowships do not require university endorsement and allow students to apply directly to the sponsoring organization. Exploring these opportunities can help you identify additional funding options outside of our Advising Portfolio that align with your academic interests, career goals, and experiences.
While AHF does not provide advising for direct-apply opportunities, we encourage you to connect with faculty mentors, research advisors, and previous recipients who can offer valuable insight and feedback throughout the application process.
Ready to Get Started?
Explore Your Interests
Start by using our Fellowship Exploration Guide to help you reflect on what excites you academically, professionally, or personally. Browse fellowships by area of interest, career goals, or field of study.
Learn How Fellowships Work
Explore our Year-by-Year Roadmap, Applicant Resources, and Recorded Sessions to understand how fellowship applications work, what experiences can strengthen your candidacy, and how to prepare over time. These resources are designed to help you build confidence before you apply.
Find the Right Opportunity
Review eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application expectations to identify opportunities that are a good fit for your background and goals. If a fellowship is part of AHF’s Advising Portfolio, you’ll also find information about campus endorsement requirements and advising timelines.
Decide Your Next Step
Applying for an opportunity in our Advising Portfolio? Review the fellowship information and advising timeline, then request an advising appointment during the designated advising window.
Applying for a direct-apply opportunity? Use the Applicant Resources page to prepare your application, seek feedback from faculty mentors in your field and/or the USC Writing Center, and connect with previous recipients when possible.