Over the past 25 years, the Tower Center has awarded students with over 120 research fellowships, scholarships and internships in support of our mission to promote the study of policy and international affairs and prepare future leaders to make a positive global impact.
Most of our opportunities are open to all undergraduate students with an interest in public policy and international affairs, regardless of area of undergraduate study. See our full list below.
INTERNSHIPS
The Jack C. and Annette K. Vaughn Foreign Service and International Affairs Internship
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The Jack C. and Annette K. Vaughn Foreign Service and International Affairs Internship gives SMU sophomores and juniors the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of American foreign affairs. The objective of the internship program is to encourage students to consider careers in the U.S. Foreign Service and in international affairs. In order to qualify for the Vaughn Internship, students must apply for the U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program and must meet the eligibility requirement of the program, which includes a background investigation necessary to obtain security clearance. The State Department will make the final choices for its internship program. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA and must be U.S. Citizens for this internship.
The Kelli and Gerald J. Ford Internship
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The Kelli and Gerald J. Ford Scholarship is awarded to highly qualified SMU sophomores and juniors (minimum GPA of 3.0) with a strong interest in public policy and international affairs to pursue a summer internship in Washington, D.C.
Rubottom Foreign Service Internship
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The Rubottom Foreign Service Internship was established by Ambassador R. Richard and Billy Ruth Rubottom to support public policy or international affairs research scholarships and/or internships for undergraduate students who have completed two years of coursework preparing for a foreign service career. Industrial–based and/or corporate internships would not qualify for consideration of this scholarship award.
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and commit to a minimum of 2 years of study of a modern foreign language. The objective of this scholarship is to encourage students to consider careers in the U.S. Foreign Service and in international affairs by providing opportunities for research and practical experience.
One Application for all Internships. Applications Close: March, 1, 2022, 5 p.m.
FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The John Goodwin Tower Center Undergraduate Research Fellowships
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The John G. Tower Center offers research fellowships to SMU undergraduate students to pursue their interests in public policy and international affairs. Tower Center undergraduate fellows work closely with SMU faculty in developing a research paper resulting in a publication in the Dialogue and a poster presentation.
Undergraduate fellows are introduced to substantive issues, appropriate research methodologies and techniques, research design, and theory development. Selection is based on merit and determined by an application process emphasizing ability and interest in research. Each fellow receives a scholarship award between $500-$1,000 per semester for a maximum of four consecutive semesters.
Fellows are designated by the name of the generous donor of the fellowship:
- Edwin L. Cox Fellowship
- Al G. Hill, Jr. Fellowship
- Tom Bryant Medders, Jr. Fellowship
- Henry S. Miller Fellowship
- Rubottom Foreign Service Fellowship
Research Fellowship Application
One Application for all Fellowships. Applications Close: March, 1, 2022, 5 p.m.
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Learn more about the Tower Center student fellowships and scholarships:
Ray Rafidi | Senior Associate Director | rrafidi@smu.edu | 214-768-3665