Explore your options and identify your goals to start your application process.
Distinguished Fellowships
Go Beyond the Ordinary
Distinguished Fellowships take your college experiences beyond the ordinary. These competitive, merit-based awards provide a wide range of opportunities to teach or study abroad, conduct research, fund graduate studies or pursue professional development. Embark on a journey of self-discovery, find yourself in new places, and make otherwise impossible connections that will benefit you for a lifetime.
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Join a Tradition of Excellence
For over a decade, the Office of Distinguished Fellowships has guided Rutgers students in applying for and winning many truly prestigious awards. Year after year, our students are the recipients of the Fulbright, Goldwater, Truman, Gates Cambridge, Schwarzman, and Marshall awards, along with many others.
Endless Opportunities
Begin Your Journey
Search our database for all of the available educational opportunities.
Explore fellowships, schedule a discovery session to find awards, and receive guidance on your application.
For appointments, visit Penji online or download the app, and create your account by logging in with your Rutgers NetID and password (via Single Sign-On). Be sure to join our community, "Distinguished Fellowships." If you still have questions about how to setup your Penji account, visit this Penji support page.
Success Stories
Meet the Staff
We're here to answer your questions and help you navigate each step of the fellowship application, submission, and interview process.
Anne Wallen
For over a decade, I’ve been advising students for success with national and international fellowships. I’m committed to building awareness of exceptional fellowships opportunities, increasing access, and emphasizing the benefits of the entire fellowships advising process. Originally from a small town in central Kansas, I got my bachelor’s at the University of Kansas and my master’s and PhD in German and Scandinavian Studies from the University of Minnesota. I’m excited about living in Central Jersey with my husband, son, and two tabby cats.
Raffaella Fusco
I join the office with experience in mentorship, academic and fellowship advising, language education, and qualitative research. Before joining the team, I held a variety of roles in higher education and previously served as a fellowship advisor and communication and outreach assistant at GradFund at Rutgers. I’m dedicated to empowering students with the tools and resources needed to navigate fellowship applications. Beyond my professional pursuits, you can find me exploring new hiking trails, coffee shops, and baking new recipes.
Lauren Foster
I have served as a fellowship advisor since 2015 helping Rutgers undergraduate students navigate the process of applying for nationally competitive awards. Prior to working for the Office of Distinguished Fellowships, I managed the Plangere Writing Center and tutoring program where I helped Rutgers students improve their writing skills. Before earning my bachelor's in English Literature, I spent six years working in the fashion and beauty industry as a makeup artist and stylist in Los Angeles, California.