Scholarships

The application for Government & Politics undergraduate scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open! Please visit our application page on Scholarship Universe to apply. Detailed information about each scholarship can be found below. Please review the eligibility criteria and necessary application materials prior to submitting your application. On the application, please carefully select the scholarships for which you're applying and be sure to complete all relevant portions of the application for those specific funds. Incorrect and incomplete submissions will not be considered. Government and Politics and International Relations majors are able to apply for all GVPT undergraduate scholarships. When reviewing eligibility criteria, please go off the criteria listed below on this webpage. 

The deadline to submit an accurate and complete GVPT scholarship application is FRIDAY, APRIL 17th. Due to the functionality of the Scholarship Universe system, we are unable to extend this deadline. Please ensure all your application materials, including your letters of recommendation, are submitted on time. Questions regarding GVPT scholarships can be directed to GVPTAdvising@umd.edu.

The Brian M. Gardner Public Service Award was established through the generosity of the family and friends of Dr. Brian M. Gardner to commemorate his many contributions and his longstanding commitment to public service.  Dr. Gardner was a member of the University of Maryland community as a doctoral student in the Department of Government and Politics, a faculty member at the Institute for Governmental Service, and an adjunct professor at University of Maryland, Global Campus.

Two $1,500 awards will be presented to rising GVPT juniors or seniors who have demonstrated commitment to a public service career in local and state government. The Brian M. Gardner Public Service Award fosters the education and development of outstanding undergraduates in government and politics.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Declared major in the Department of Government & Politics
  • Junior or Senior standing for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • Registered full time for the 2026-2027 academic year

This application requires an essay submission and one letter of recommendation from a GVPT faculty member.

One $3,000 award will be presented to the highest achieving current sophomore GVPT student at the University of Maryland, College Park to be applied starting in their junior year. This student will also receive an additional award during their senior year (amount to be determined).

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Declared major in the Department of Government & Politics
  • Attendance at the University of Maryland, College Park for at least two years
  • Current sophomore standing for the 2025-2026 academic year
  • Junior standing for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • Senior standing for the 2027-2028 academic year
  • Registered full time for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 academic years

One $600 award will be presented to a high achieving GVPT rising sophomore, junior, or senior in honor of Professor Joe A. Oppenheimer. The recipient will be chosen on the basis of demonstrated ability in GVPT coursework and financial need. Preference will be given to students with an expressed appreciation of scientific methods and their applicability to the social sciences. Preference will also be given to a sole GVPT major. If a student is a double major, the second major must be of another discipline within BSOS (AAAS, ANTH, CCJS, ECON, ENSP, GEOG, HESP, SDSC, PSYC, NEUR, or SOCY).

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Declared major in the Department of Government & Politics
  • Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • Registered full-time for the 2026-2027 academic year

This application requires an essay submission and one letter of recommendation from a GVPT faculty member.

The Mary Elizabeth Roby Scholarship Fund was established in October 1965 by contributions from the University Park (Md.) Republican Women's Club in memory of Mary Elizabeth Roby. The income is to be used for scholarship awards to women who have a demonstrated academic ability and interest in the field of government and politics who are seniors or graduate students.

One $2,000 award will be presented to a rising GVPT Junior or Senior with aspiring career goals in the field of government and politics. Candidates will be considered on the basis of academic ability and evidenced interest in the field of government and politics, with preference given to permanent residents of Prince George’s County. 

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Declared major in the Department of Government & Politics
  • Junior or Senior standing for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • Registered full-time for the 2026-2027 academic year

This application requires an essay submission and one letter of recommendation from a GVPT faculty member. The essay should analyze any political issue of interest and be no longer than 4 pages, including references, typed, double-spaced. You will need to upload a pdf of your essay to Scholarship Universe.

Two $2,000 awards will be presented to rising junior or senior GVPT students who have demonstrated leadership, community service, and a commitment to the field of government and politics. The recipients will be chosen on the basis of academic merit and financial need.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Declared major in the Department of Government & Politics
  • Junior or Senior standing for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • Registered full-time for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher (Note: Scholarship Universe may only include your UMD grades in your GPA calculation. We will review your cumulative GPA, including your transfer grades. If your transfer coursework brings your GPA above a 3.5, you are eligible for this scholarship.)

This application requires an essay submission and one letter of recommendation from a GVPT faculty member. 

Paul S. Mandell '95 and Linda Mandell established the Wayne V. McIntosh Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Government and Politics in October 2010 to support outstanding undergraduate students with financial need in the Department of Government and Politics.

One $2,000 award will be presented to an undergraduate student in the Department of Government & Politics who has an outstanding academic record and demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students who reside in the state of Maryland.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Declared major in the Department of Government & Politics
  • Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • Registered full-time for the 2026-2027 academic year

This application requires an essay submission.

One $1,500 award will be presented to a high achieving rising GVPT Sophomore, Junior, or Senior in honor of Kenneth Milford. Milford was a leader in the civil rights movement in Baltimore and instilled into his family the values of honoring diversity, acceptance of all, and opportunity for everyone. The recipient of this award will be chosen on the basis of demonstrated ability in GVPT coursework. Preference will go to students from the state of Maryland.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Declared major in the Department of Government & Politics
  • Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • Registered full-time for the 2026-2027 academic year

This application requires an essay submission.

One $1,000 award will be presented to a high achieving GVPT rising sophomore, junior, or senior in honor of former U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings. Applicants for the Tydings Scholarship should demonstrate an interest in public service and exemplify the ethos of Senator Tydings’ commitment to leadership through government and policy making. Preference will be given to GVPT students who are also participating in the School of Public Policy through double major or minor coursework.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Declared major in the Department of Government & Politics
  • Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • Registered full-time for the 2026-2027 academic year

This application requires an essay submission.