The summer months conjure images of vacation for some, but for many students, whether spending it on campus, studying abroad or in an internship or co-op across the country, summer is the time to plan for the fall and upcoming academic year. For students at all levels — undergraduate, graduate or postdoctoral — summer is when they should contact the Fellowships Office for advisement on applying to many prestigious award programs.

“Students can prepare for applications effectively if they contact the Fellowships Office well in advance of the due date,” said Karen Adams, associate director of the Fellowships Office. “Writing a strong application involves several essay revisions, and some awards require correspondence with the host institution.”

All Students 

• Philips Innovation Fellowship: Top prize is $60,000, and four other finalists receive $10,000. Open to U.S. citizens. The theme is Living Well, Being Healthy, and Enjoying Life. Full rules available online. Deadline is Aug. 15.

Sophomores and Juniors

• Goldwater Scholarship: For sophomores and juniors studying science, technology, engineering or math with a 3.9 GPA (recommended) and research experience. Tech nominates four students each year for this national competition. Applicants will work through essays and submissions with Kathryn Meehan or  Karen Adams during summer and late fall. Deadline: January 10, 2014.
• Truman Scholarship: For juniors with public service experience, a 3.9 GPA (recommended) and plans for a career in public service. Students will work with Paul Hurst and Meehan during the summer and fall. Deadline: January 2014.
• Udall Scholarship: For sophomores and juniors who work with the environment, have a high GPA and plan for careers in an environmental area. Students should contact Meehan during the summer to plan and organize essays. Deadline: February 2014.

Seniors

The campus deadline for preliminary applications for many nationally competitive scholarships open to seniors is Aug. 1, with a final campus deadline of Aug. 29. Students with a 3.9 (recommended) or higher GPA should work with the fellowship advisor listed below during the summer to prepare for this early fall deadline.

• Rhodes Scholarship, contact Adams, Hurst or Meehan
• Marshall Scholarship, contact Adams or Meehan
• Churchill Scholarship, contact Adams or Meehan
• Gates Cambridge Scholarship, contact Adams or Meehan
• Mitchell Scholarship, contact Adams or Meehan

Seniors and Graduate Students

For all opportunities, contact either Adams or Meehan.

• Fulbright Awards: Open to rising seniors and graduate students, offering one-year awards to do research, graduate study or be an English teaching assistant in one of more than 140 countries. Preliminary applications campus deadline is Aug. 1; campus deadline for complete application is Aug. 29. 
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships: Open to seniors, first-year graduate students and first-semester second-year graduate students in science, technology, engineering and math who are U.S. citizens. This three-year award is for those planning a research Ph.D. at a U.S. university. Deadline is in November. 

Postdocs and Postgraduate Opportunities

For all opportunities, contact either Adams or Meehan.

• Fulbright Postdoctoral Research Fellowships: Preference is for candidates who have received doctorates within three years of the application deadline or who will receive doctorates before the grant term begins. Eight awards are available for studies at seven research institutions in Israel. Deadline: August 1.
• National Academies Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowships: Participants spend 12 weeks at the National Academies in Washington, D.C., learning about science and technology policy and the role that scientists and engineers play in advising the nation. Deadline is Sept. 5.
• AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships: For recently graduated postdocs, mid-career professionals, faculty on sabbatical, or retired faculty. Must have a completed Ph.D. or master’s degree with three years of professional experience and U.S. citizenship. Deadline: Nov. 1.
• Presidential Management Fellowship Program: Open to master’s degree and doctoral students who complete degree during coming year. International students are eligible to apply. Deadline is in November.