The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funds the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, and the Institute of International Education administers it. It supports U.S. undergraduates with high financial need who pursue credit-bearing study or career-oriented internships abroad.
Recipients may use the award for eligible program and travel costs. The active Fall 2026 application covers overseas programs beginning from December 1, 2026 through October 31, 2027.
Benefits & funding
- Scholarship funding of up to $5,000.
- Nearly 3,000 scholarships are planned for the academic year.
- Eligible uses include tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance, international airfare, passport fees, and visa fees.
- Recipients receive 12 months of noncompetitive eligibility for U.S. federal employment, with possible extensions when applicable.
Eligibility
- Be a U.S. citizen or national.
- Be an undergraduate in good standing at an accredited two-year or four-year U.S. higher education institution.
- Receive a Federal Pell Grant when applying or provide proof of receiving one during the study-abroad or internship term.
- Be applying to or accepted by a credit-bearing study-abroad or internship program; acceptance proof is required before funds are disbursed.
- Select a destination rated Level 1 or Level 2 under the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory system and avoid any Level 3 or Level 4 country, location, or area.
- Applicants who have already received a Gilman scholarship cannot receive it again.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
USA
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Create an account in the official Gilman application system.
- 2Complete the online application with four required short essays, transcripts, abroad-program details, and study-abroad and financial-aid advisor selections.
- 3Submit the application by October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
- 4Ensure both selected advisors certify the application by October 8, 2026.
Program timeline
Mid-August 2026
Fall 2026 application opens.
Student application deadline.
October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT
Advisor certification deadline.
October 8, 2026
Applicants receive status notifications by email.
December 2026
Eligible overseas-program start window.
December 1, 2026–October 31, 2027