Undergraduate Awards

Sponsored by the POSCIR External Advisory Board

The purpose of the UD POSCIR Experiential Learning Fund is to provide current students opportunities to participate in hands-on learning—through internships, academic research, real-world research in the private or public sector, and/or firsthand interactions with experts and the community. Such experience helps students understand the field in which they hope to work and improve their chances of later securing fulfilling employment.

The Fund will provide up to $2,500 stipends (contingent on department funds) to a minimum of two students each year to participate in an e​​​​​xperiential learning event.​

All undergraduates with at least sophomore standing who major in Political Science or International Relations are eligible to apply for this stipend. Graduating seniors in their final semester are not eligible to apply. The proposed internship or supervised research activity must be directly relevant to the student's major. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. Awards will be given to applicants with the strongest credentials whose proposed project is anticipated to make the greatest contribution to future student success. Preference will be granted to applicants with unpaid internships or supervised research activity.

To apply, students must submit the following:

• A letter (up to 300 words) describing the internship or research opportunity and explaining the benefits the student hopes to derive from it. Please sign with your name and UD ID number.
• A forwarded letter or email confirming the offer of the internship or research opportunity
• Resume
• Unofficial transcript
• Letter of recommendation from a UD faculty member

Submit all materials in an email to AWARD-SUBMISSIONS@udel.edu. List "Experiential Learning Stipend" as the subject line. Deadline: November 1 for a winter or spring term project and April 1 for a summer or fall project. ​

Each year the Department of Political Science and International Relations awards a Paul Dolan Undergraduate Fellowship to a student who shows by their scholarship and character great promise for the study of law for the public good. The award is for a rising senior and provides $10,000 towards the next y ear's tuition. To be considered a candidate for this award, you must submit

• a statement of your interests ,
• a copy of your academic transcripts,
• and two letters of recommendation (at least one of the letters must be from an academic source).

Your statement should introduce you to the Awards and Honors Committee and tell us why you should be the recipient of this fellowship. In your statement, we ask that you summarize your academic credentials, share with us your career interests in public law, and indicate how your studies at the University of Delaware have prepared you for a career in law for the good of the greater public. The letter's content should not exceed 1,500 words (using Arial font, size 12, and single-spaced).

Please send all replies to AWARD-SUBMISSIONS@udel.edu. List "DOLAN award" as the subject line. 
Deadline: April 5, 2024. Please include your name and UD ID Number on every page submitted.​​

The Joseph Donald Craven Prize is awarded each year for the best essay submitted on what changes should be made in the Constitution of the United States and/or the economic system of the United States to further the interest of democracy and make the government more responsive to the will of the people. Essays do not need to be long; 1,000-2,000 words are suggested. The winner receives a $1,000 cash prize. All Political Science, International Relations, and History majors are encouraged to submit entries. This prize was established in 1985 by The Honorable Joseph D. Craven, former Attorney General of the State of Delaware.

Submit your essay to AWARD-SUBMISSIONS@udel.edu. Please list "Craven Essay" in the subject line. On every page submitted, include your name and UD ID Number. The deadline is April 5, 2024.​​

​Each year the Department of Political Science and International Relations awards one outstanding political science major and one outstanding international relations major with the Robert Barrie Ulin Award. This award is given to a senior for their exceptional academic achievement. Only a select few graduating political science and international relations majors are eligible. As the Robert Barrie Ulin Awardee, students will speak at the convocation ceremony or the award ceremony at the end of the year and receive a $500 cash award. Students invited to be considered for the Ulin Award should submit a brief statement of their interests and a nomination letter from a faculty member in the Department of Political Science and International Relations before the March deadline. The student's letter should introduce you to the Awards and Honors Committee and tell them why you should be the recipient of this honor. In your letter, we ask you to summarize your academic credentials, share your career interests, and indicate how your major in political science or international relations has prepared you for the next phase of your life. Letters should not exceed 750 words (using Arial font, size 12 and single-spaced). 

Deadline: April 5, 2024. Submit your letter to AWARD-SUBMISSIONS@udel.edu. Please list "Ulin Award" in the subject line. Please sign with your name and UD ID number.​

​Each year the Department of Political Science and International Relations presents a $2,500 cash award to two rising seniors (current juniors) who have demonstrated outstanding community engagement and/or participated in exceptional public service activity. Interested students apply by submitting a 750-word (single-space) essay about their community engagement/service activity and interest and why they should receive this award. Students also submit a resume and a letter of recommendation (from a faculty member or a person in the community) attesting to their community and volunteer service and/or interest in public service. 

Deadline: April 5, 2024. Submit to AWARD-SUBMISSIONS@udel.edu. Please list "Zutz Award" in the subject line. Please sign with your name and UD ID number.​

​​The aim of the stipend is to support students whose fieldwork activities, internships, or discovery learning experiences are related to advancing the general welfare of society. Please visit the Citizenship Stipend​ page for more information.

Students may not receive funding more than once, and graduating seniors are ineligible.

The applications are accepted quarterly with the following deadlines: June 1st, September 1st, December 1st, and March 1st.​