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
Gilman Scholarship for Study Abroad

Info Sessions:

September 5, 4 PM: Zoom

September 18, 12:30 PM: COLFA Student Success Center 

September 23, 1 PM: Zoom

Writing Workshop:

September 26, 12 PM: Honors College Experiential Learning Lab

Goldwater Scholarship

September 3, 11 AM: Zoom

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

Info Session:

September 4, 2 PM: Zoom

Writing Workshop:

September 19, 12 PM: Honors College Experiential Learning Lab

Department of Defense SMART Award

Info Session:

October 15, 11 AM: Zoom

Truman Scholarship

Info Session:

October 2, 2 PM: Zoom

Critical Language Scholarship/Boren Scholarship

Info Session:

October 14, 2 PM: Zoom

Boren Scholarship Campus Visit:

November 6 at 12:00 PM: Honors College Experiential Learning Lab

National Science Founation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

Monday, November 11, 2PM: Zoom

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.

Contact us to set up and appointment

Kane Sandoval photo on boat

September 26, 2024

UTSA Honors alumnus to travel to Cambodia on Fulbright

Published by UTSA Today

Recent UTSA graduate Kane Sandoval ’23 has been named a finalist by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and will be travelling to Cambodia to serve as a Fulbright English teaching assistant. He is one of three Roadrunners who will participate in programs in Cambodia, Estonia, and Spain.

July 3, 2024

NSF fellowships to help seven Roadrunners advance their education

Published by UTSA Today

Seven UTSA students and alumni have been awarded prestigious Graduate Research Fellowships from the National Science Foundation to advance their graduate research education. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program supports outstanding graduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions.

June 28, 2024

Gilman Scholarship increases study abroad opportunities for record number of Roadrunners

Published by UTSA Today

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is helping a record number of UTSA recipients enjoy the transformative benefits of a semester abroad. This includes senior Brooke Ellerbe, who will study abroad in South Africa this summer.

Fulbright Scholarship - logo

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.

Gilman Scholarships - logo

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