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.

Contact us to set up and appointment

April 14, 2025

UTSA selected to join prestigious Churchill Scholarship Program

Published 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.

UTSA student Paula Canales in Bahrain

September 26, 2024

UTSA named Fulbright HSI Leader for third straight year

Published by UTSA Academic Affairs

UTSA has been named a Fulbright HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) Leader for the third consecutive year, recognizing the university's significant engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program.

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.

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