Who we are
UT San Antonio’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 UT San Antonio. 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 UT San Antonio. 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
Spring Information Sessions and Workshop Schedules
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, 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 UT San Antonio 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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June 23, 2026
Four students head to Pittsburgh to learn key skills as John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health ScholarsPublished by UT San Antonio Today
Four students were named 2026 Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (Lewis Scholars). This prestigious national scholarship is awarded to undergraduate and recently graduated students with an interest in public health, health equity or minority health.
June 19, 2026
UT San Antonio graduate is one of 30 U.S. students to earn prestigious Lafayette FellowshipPublished by UT San Antonio Today
UT San Antonio graduate Ana Catalina Vallejo Chapa ’26 is one of 30 students in the United States to receive the Lafayette Fellowship, a prestigious new scholarship program that supports graduate study in France. As a Lafayette Fellow, Vallejo will receive funding to support her pursuit of a master’s degree in neuroscience at Aix-Marseille Université in Marseille, France, beginning this fall. Vallejo’s selection builds on her extensive academic and research experiences in neuroscience and language at UT San Antonio, positioning her to advance toward a career as an international researcher.
June 4, 2026
The National Science Foundation has awarded Graduate Research Fellowships to five students and recent graduates from UT San Antonio. Three are from the Honors College.The National Science Foundation has awarded Graduate Research Fellowships to five students and recent graduates from UT San Antonio. Three are from the Honors College.
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 UT San Antonio students were awarded Gilman Scholarships in 2023
