"
The U.S. Department of State has revealed that it has granted the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to about 2,100 American undergraduate students from various regions in the recent spring 2024 cycle. These students, who hail from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are all recipients of the Pell Grant, a federal grant intended for U.S. undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
According to the announcement, 70 percent of the Gilman recipients self-identify as racial or ethnic minorities, with 60 percent coming from rural areas and small towns across America, and half being first-generation college or university students. This diverse cohort of Gilman scholars will be embarking on study or internship programs in over 90 countries, representing more than 500 U.S. colleges and universities.
Notably, the group includes 70 individuals who received the Critical Need Language Award and 60 recipients of the new STEM Supplemental Award, supporting selected scholars to engage in STEM-related research abroad as part of their overseas program. Additionally, there are 56 recipients of the John McCain International Scholarship for the Children of Military Families, aimed at child and spousal dependents of U.S. military personnel who are active or activated during the application period.
Various governments and organizations, such as France, Germany through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Israel, New Zealand, Wales, the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) in Portugal, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), are providing additional scholarships to Gilman scholars to pursue their studies in these specific countries or locations.
The Gilman Scholarship program, which began in 2001, has seen over 41,000 scholars participating in study or internship programs in more than 160 countries globally. This initiative, supported by the U.S. Congress, is facilitated by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and executed with the assistance of the Institute of International Education (IIE).
For those interested in learning more about the Gilman Scholarship and its recipients, including the newest cohort of scholars, further information can be found at gilmanscholarship.org.
