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ONCS Resources

University of Utah Resources

What is ONCS?

The Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (ONCS) was established by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Honors College in 2020 to centralize nationally competitive scholarship management across campus and expand access. While the ONCS office is located in the Marriott Honors Community (MHC 1204), ONCS serves students and recent alumni from all campus areas.

What are nationally competitive scholarships?

Nationally competitive scholarships are different from internal University of Utah scholarships. They are prestigious, highly competitive, and funded and managed by external national and international organizations, such as the U.S. Department of State, the Rhodes Trust, and the Goldwater Foundation, among others.

University of Utah applicants compete with applicants from across the country – and sometimes, from around the world – for these scholarships. A few well-known nationally competitive scholarships include the Rhodes Scholarship, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, and the Goldwater Scholarship.

What services does ONCS offer?

ONCS staff members are here to assist you at every stage of the nationally competitive scholarship process. We offer:

  • Advice on scholarships that align with your academic and professional goals
  • Help in determining scholarship eligibility
  • Information about application processes, including timelines, deadlines, and University of Utah endorsement
  • Assistance in understanding and preparing application materials, including advice about letters of recommendation
  • Guidance, review, and feedback on essays, personal statements, and other written materials
  • University of Utah endorsement and practice interviews, if applicable
  • Travel funds to support finalist interviews
  • Celebration of student progress and achievement via yearly events and student features across ONCS and campus media platforms, including social media

If you are interested in nationally competitive scholarships,
email oncs@utah.edu to connect with the ONCS team!


DAAD RISE Professional Germany
University Deadline: 11-27-2026
National Deadline: 11-27-2026

Funding for Master's and Ph.D. students in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences, engineering, or a closely related field for summer research internships at companies and non-university research institutions with strong relations to industry in Germany


Learn More
DAAD RISE Germany
University Deadline: 11-27-2026
National Deadline: 11-27-2026

Funding for undergraduate students in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences, engineering, or a closely related field for a summer research internships in Germany


Learn More
Hertz Fellowship
University Deadline: 10-23-2026
National Deadline: 10-23-2026

Funding for up to 5 years for tuition and personal expenses during Ph.D. level study in applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering


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Luce Scholars Program
University Deadline: 09-14-2026
National Deadline: 09-14-2026

Funding for 13 months of language training, cultural immersion and learning on the job in an Asian country for graduating seniors, graduate students and young professionals


Learn More

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Upcoming Deadlines


Scholarship Categories


University Endorsement
University Endorsement signifies that candidates submitted by the University of Utah have been thoroughly vetted by a University-designated committee. Applicants are unable to apply to these opportunities directly and are required to participate in a formal campus process.
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Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies scholarships provide opportunities to pursue graduate degrees (master’s or PhD) either in the U.S. or abroad.
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STEM
STEM scholarships provide an opportunity to study and/or research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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Service-oriented
Service-oriented scholarships emphasize public policy, international affairs, and public service through study, research, and internships. Many of these scholarships require commitment to service following graduation from a master’s program.
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International
International scholarships provide opportunities for cultural engagement abroad through teaching, research, study, or internships.
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Language Study
Language Study scholarships provide opportunities to study language and cultural immersion at varying levels of language proficiency.
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ONCS Teams


Ginger Smoak

Director
 oncs@utah.edu
 MHC 1204

Susan Anderson

Program Manager
 oncs@utah.edu
 MHC 1204

Alison Shimko

Associate Director
 oncs@utah.edu
 MHC 1204

Julia De Santiago

Program Manager
 oncs@utah.edu
 MHC 1204