Who we are
UTSA’s Office of Nationally Competitive Awards supports students throughout their undergraduate and graduate university careers, helping students develop not only as strong candidates but as well-rounded people so that they can pursue amazing academic and career opportunities worldwide.
What are National Awards?
National awards are funded independently of UTSA. They are awards that help students fund study abroad, conduct research, do service learning projects, or fund graduate study. Many awards are located internationally, presenting great opportunities for students to explore their place in the world and how they can play a role in our global community.
While many awards are prestigious and require students to demonstrate significant leadership in their community, there are many entry-level awards that anyone can apply to without a letter of recommendation, even in their first year at UTSA. From small international travel grants to fully-funded graduate fellowships, the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards envisions these awards as a series of pathways that guide students toward great achievements.
View different award types and opportunities
Information Sessions and Workshop Schedules
| Scholarship | Date |
|---|---|
| Fulbright Student Program (2025-2026) |
March 18, online: RowdyLink April 2, in-person: RowdyLink April 17, online: RowdyLink April 22, HCAP Student Success Center, RowdyLink April 24, COEHD Student Success Center, RowdyLink |
| United Kingdom Scholarships: Rhodes, Marshall, Gates Cambridges and Churchill |
April 8, in-person, Honors College, RowdyLink |
How do we help students?
We empower students of all backgrounds to step out into the national arena and apply for prestigious awards such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Fulbright, and NSF awards, which facilitate graduate study across disciplines. We also work with undergraduate students at the earliest stages in their academic careers to secure national scholarships that help fund their undergraduate tuition, study abroad opportunities, and summer research initiatives.
The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards provides services such as:
- Information sessions on different awards
- Workshops on writing compelling application essays
- Application review
- Organizing mock interviews
- Providing an endorsement for awards that require campus nomination
Where are we located?
Housed in the Honors College, we serve all UTSA undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Our office is located on the first floor of the Graduate School and Research Building in the Honors College.
Latest News
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April 22, 2025
Jonah Espinoza named UTSA’s first Sumners ScholarPublished by UTSA Today
UTSA student Jonah Espinoza has been named a 2025 Sumners Scholar, earning a prestigious scholarship for his commitment to civic engagement and public service.
April 16, 2025
Four UTSA students win prestigious Goldwater ScholarshipsPublished by UTSA Today
For the second consecutive year, four UTSA students have been named Barry Goldwater Scholars, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for undergraduates pursuing research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.
April 14, 2025
UTSA selected to join prestigious Churchill Scholarship ProgramPublished by UTSA Today
The Winston Churchill Foundation has selected UTSA to become a participating institution in its Churchill Scholarship Program, one of the most competitive international scholarships available for American graduate students. As part of the program, UTSA will be eligible to nominate two students each year for the prestigious award. It will join 135 universities across the nation as a Churchill participating institution, including fellow Texas institutions UT-Austin, Texas A&M, Rice and Baylor.
Featured Award: Fulbright Student program
Fulbright funds 2000+ students each year to study in graduate programs, do research, or teach English abroad in any of 140+ countries.
Featured Award: Gilman Scholarship for Study Abroad
The Gilman Scholarship provides Pell Grant recipients up to $5000 to study abroad. 26 UTSA students were awarded Gilman Scholarships in 2023
