Explore Fellowships

Individuals who completed their undergraduate degree in the United States, and who are or will be enrolling in a graduate program in the United States are eligible to apply. The award is contingent upon matriculation into a graduate program by the awardee.

Successful candidates will demonstrate a capacity for leadership, have a record of high academic or professional achievement, and have clearly defined career interests with evidence of potential for professional accomplishments related to national security and terrorism prevention.

The LEGACY SCHOLAR is selected from among those applicants who are just completing or have very recently completed their undergraduate degrees (i.e. within the last 3 years). Legacy Scholars receive a $2,000 award.

The application consists of 4 parts:

1. Basic information about the applicant, including proposed program of study

2. CV/resume and transcripts

3. Two letters of recommendation

4. Three short essay questions:

   • Personal Statement (1,000 words)

   • Description of how the applicants graduate studies and/or research contribute to improved national security and/or terrorism prevention (1,000 words)

   • Open question to allow the applicant to provide other information for the selection committee (250 words)

Applications are accepted beginning November 1 of each year.

The deadline to submit an application is typically in February of the following year.
 

Applicants must be senior undergraduates and should have a strong background in the classical languages. Fellows are responsible for seeking and obtaining admission to the English or Scottish university where they intend to study.

In order to address the ongoing uncertainties and challenges posed by COVID-19, the Pearson Fellowship Committee is retaining two important features of last year’s competition:

• The successful candidate will be allowed to defer use of the award from 2023-24 to 2024-25, should the pandemic make it difficult or impossible to enroll in an English or Scottish institution in 2023-24.
• For this year's fellowship application, any eligible undergraduate studying in the US or Canada may apply directly to the Pearson Fellowship Committee. We are not asking institutions to nominate students this year, and there is no limit to the number of students who may apply from any single institution.

During the fellowship year, the successful candidate will undertake a course of study that broadens and develops their knowledge of Greek and Latin texts in the original languages; candidates should therefore have a good foundation in the classical languages. The term of the Fellowship is one year. The recipient may use the Fellowship for part of a longer program of study, but under no circumstances will support from the Fellowship extend beyond one year. Fellows are responsible for seeking and obtaining admission to the English or Scottish university where they intend to study. With regards to their applications to English or Scottish universities, candidates should seek out information about their respective application deadlines, and we encourage candidates to apply if they are short-listed.

For official information about this fellowship's timeframe, visit https://classicalstudies.org/awards-and-fellowships/lionel-pearson-fellowship.

The intent of the program is to provide an in-depth experience in Asia to young Americans who would not otherwise have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the country where they are placed. 

• Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.  
• Candidates may be graduating seniors, recent graduates, or young professionals under the age of 32, OR if older than 32, candidates must have received their bachelor's degree within the past three years
• Candidates who have spent a significant amount of time (18 weeks or more since beginning college) in more than one of the countries where we place Luce Scholars are not eligible to apply for the Luce.
• Candidates who have spent 18 weeks or more (since beginning college) in only one of the countries where we place Luce Scholars are eligible to apply but will not be placed in the country where they have spent significant time.

Candidates must first complete an eligibility questionnaire. If eligible, they will be prompted to complete the application which includes the following:

• Written Application – Candidates provide biographical and contact information, respond to short answer questions, and write a personal statement and 400-word-max bio.
• Request Forms for Two Letters of Recommendation (LOR) – Candidates complete a form for each recommender. Once a form is submitted, an email is sent to the recommender. Letters must be uploaded separately by the recommenders. LORs can be from academic or professional references. They should come from people who know the candidate well and can speak to their skills, abilities, and potential. LORs should be signed on official letterhead whenever possible. 
• Academic Transcripts – Candidates upload transcripts of all college and graduate work. 
• A 1-2 Minute Video – Candidates record and upload a 1–2-minute video based on the provided prompt. The video gives program administrators a chance to get to know the candidate beyond the page. 

The application deadline is October. Late applications (including transcripts and letters of recommendation) will not be accepted. Applications do not need to be completed in one sitting; work can be saved at any point and as frequently as necessary. Once submitted applicants will no longer have access to their application. We suggest printing a copy for your records prior to submitting.

Luce Scholars are selected through a rigorous process over three rounds of evaluation:  

1. In the first round, applications are reviewed and evaluated by distinguished teams of readers and program staff to determine a group of 45-50 semi-finalists. 
2. Candidates selected as semi-finalists are invited for two virtual interviews with two experienced Luce Scholar in early to mid-November. Those interview comments will help us determine a pool of 34 finalists.  
3. The 34 finalists are invited to a finalist weekend consisting of interactive programs, workshops, and finalist interviews. It is a competitive process but also a learning experience and a time of growth for all finalists, even those not selected as Luce Scholars. Scholars are announced immediately after our finalist weekend. 

Deadline usually falls in October. Visit website for latest updates.