Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Sep 16, 2025
- 4 min read
If you are an American undergraduate student with financial need, thinking of studying or interning abroad in 2026, the applications for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship are now open. This program offers funds to help defray costs of credit-bearing study/intern abroad programs or internships, especially for those who might otherwise find it difficult due to financial constraints. Below is a scholarship summary, an overview, benefits, eligibility, and procedure & required documents.
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Study Location: Abroad (any country or location meeting U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2)
Study level: Undergraduate students (two-year or four-year institutions)
Target group: U.S. citizens or nationals with high financial need (Federal Pell Grant recipients or those who will receive one during the abroad term)
Fields of study / focus: All academic fields are eligible. There are supplemental awards for Critical Need Languages and STEM‐related study/internships abroad.
Award value & coverage:
Base awards up to US$5,000 depending on program length, destination, and financial need.
Critical Need Language Award: up to $3,000 extra for students studying a critical-need language abroad.
STEM Supplemental Award: up to $1,000 extra for those doing STEM‐related coursework/internship abroad.
Gilman‐McCain variant: $5,000 for dependents of active U.S. military personnel.
Duration: Varies by term abroad: summer, semester, academic year, or internship period abroad.
Application Deadline(s):
October 2025 Cycle: For programs/internships starting between December 1, 2025 - October 31, 2026, application due Friday, October 3, 2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
March 2026 Cycle: To open mid-January 2026, for programs starting between May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027. Deadline in early March 2026.
Start date: Depends on the program/internship you apply for (could be Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027, etc.)
🧭 Scholarship Overview
The Gilman Program (and its variant, Gilman-McCain) is offered by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). It aims to support undergraduates who might not otherwise study or intern abroad due to financial constraints, while also expanding U.S. students’ exposure to diverse cultures, languages, and regions.
The program structure includes:
Opportunity to apply for supplemental awards:
Critical Need Language Award for studying less commonly taught or strategically important languages.
STEM Supplemental Award for STEM-related internship/coursework abroad.
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship for dependents (child/spouse) of active military service members.
Application essays: several short essays (Statement of Purpose, community/hometown impact, etc.).
Review by selection panels; awards based on financial need, academic preparation, program destination, potential for impact, readiness to succeed abroad.
🎁 Scholarship Benefits
Fees covered / Costs supported: The award can be used to defray many of the eligible expenses including: program tuition and fees, housing abroad (including utilities if applicable), visa & passport fees, international airfare and arriving/departing flights, required excursions or required activities, books/course materials, local transportation in the host country, insurance (international or supplemental), required immunizations.
Supplemental support: Additional funding for critical need languages and STEM fields as noted.
Gilman-McCain specific benefits: Standard award of $5,000 for qualified dependents of military personnel with the same kinds of eligible expenses.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, you must meet all of the following:
Be a U.S. citizen or national.
Be an undergraduate student in good academic standing at an accredited U.S. higher‐education institution (2-year or 4-year).
Be currently receiving a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that you will receive a Pell Grant during the abroad term.
Be applying to (or accepted by) a credit-bearing study abroad or international internship program. Proof of acceptance required before funds are disbursed.
The abroad program or internship must be in a country or location with overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 according to U.S. Dept of State. If certain parts of the country are Level 3 or 4, those are not allowed.
If applying for supplemental awards (Critical Need Language or STEM), have the relevant focus (language or STEM) in the abroad program.
✍🏻 Application Procedure
Here are the steps and pieces you’ll need:
When to apply:
For programs starting December 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026, apply by October 3, 2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
For programs starting May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027, application opens mid-January 2026, deadline early March 2026.
Submit the online application via the Gilman Program portal.
Essays required:
Several short essays (e.g. Statement of Purpose, Knowledge & Skills, Representing America abroad, Hometown Impact).
If applying for Critical Need Language Award or STEM Supplemental, additional essay(s).
Advisors’ certifications:
You must select and have both a Study Abroad (or equivalent) Advisor and a Financial Aid Advisor certify your application.
Transcripts:
Provide current undergraduate transcript (official or unofficial).
If you have attended previous institutions, transcripts from there as well.
Proof of program acceptance or acceptance in the making for a credit-bearing abroad/internship program.
Other supporting documents depending on your case (e.g. proof of Pell Grant or eligibility; documentation for dependent military status if applying for Gilman-McCain).
Submit before both student deadline and advisor certification deadline. Missing either makes the application ineligible.
ℹ️ Extra Tips
The awards are competitive, so strong essays (well-written, clearly showing your goals, your readiness for the abroad experience, how it ties to your academic and career path) help a lot.
Propose a Follow-on Service Project (how you will share your abroad experience, or contribute to your community/home institution after returning) — this tends to strengthen applications.
Be aware of the Travel Advisory Levels for your host country. If the travel advisory for that country (or part of it) is Level 3 or 4, that may disqualify your program or require a change.
Plan ahead: securing advisor certifications, collecting transcripts, acceptance letters, and writing essays take time.
