Oregon Sylff Fellowship for International Research

Oregon Sylff Fellowship for International Research is sponsored by Oregon State University. Fellowship aimed at nurturing leaders to tackle global issues, supporting international research.

Oregon Sylff Fellowship for International Research | Office of Graduate Education | Oregon State University Oregon Sylff Fellowship for International Research Award nominations open February 01, 2027 The Sylff program aims to identify and nurture leaders who will overcome differences in nationality, language, ethnicity, religion, and political systems to tackle global issues, and who have the integrity, determination, and expertise to bring about positive social change in global society and their local community.

Award recipients must be doctoral students who have matriculated at Portland State University, Oregon State University, and the University of Oregon who possess high potential for leadership in international affairs, in public life or private endeavor.

Sylff Graduate Fellowships for International Research are supported by an endowment to Portland State University, Oregon State University, and the University of Oregon—universities that are jointly beneficiaries of the Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (Sylff).

Fellowship scholarships are awarded to full-time doctoral students for one academic year of graduate work that involves research and scholarly endeavors in programs and projects with an international and/or indigenous dimension. This award is intended to support travel, data collection, and other research needs for students mid-career within their respective degree progression.

Outstanding doctoral students will be considered through nomination by their respective graduate department/program. Departments and graduate programs must indicate their own (or their institution’s) commitment to financially support nominees. On average, 7 awards in total are made annually across the three eligible institutions.

Sylff recipients receive annual scholarships of $15,000 to assist with educational and research-related expenses. Scholarship funds are dispersed in three equal installments over the academic year. Nominee must be a matriculated doctoral student at Portland State University, Oregon State University, or the University of Oregon, and should have passed the comprehensive exam or equivalent.

Nominee should be enrolled in a program in the social sciences or humanities. Students from outside the social sciences and humanities may still be considered if they are pursuing multi-disciplinary research from a social science or humanities perspective. Nominee’s research seeks to understand and/or transcend differences, and bring about positive social change.

Each graduate program may submit one nomination. Departments/graduate programs must indicate their own (or their institution’s) commitment to financial support of nominees. The nomination period begins Monday, February 1, 2027.

All nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p. m. , Saturday, May 1, 2027.

Academic units may have earlier internal deadlines. Graduate students are encouraged to consult with their graduate department/program and submit their applications accordingly. Nominations may be submitted by the nominee’s major professor, department head, program director, or unit/chair head.

Only one nomination may be made by each department or graduate program. This award requires materials from both the nominator and the nominee. Nominators will be required to prepare/upload all materials from the nominee and the nominator, as one PDF document using the following file name convention: “Nominee’s Last Name_Department_PSU/OSU/UO_Sylff.

pdf” and upload it through the nomination form Nominee/student-provided Materials Copies of all graduate transcripts. A CV/resume that includes the following information: Name, telephone number, and email address Colleges and universities attended as an undergraduate and graduate student, including current institution; include dates of attendance and degrees granted.

Field of graduate study, including major, and any minors or specializations. University or college honors, such as awards and scholarships. Publications of articles and books.

Relevant employment history. Memberships, offices, and leadership positions held since completing high school. Proficiency in languages other than English or plans to study other languages.

A statement from the nominee, with distinct sections clearly titled, and addressing each of the following points: Leadership experience or potential (1 double-spaced page) ; Research goals, motivation, and methods (1 double-spaced page, consider including a relevant figure or table) ; How the research project and/or intended career will lead to positive social change (1 double-spaced page) ; and Description of the intended use of SYLFF award funds (1 double-spaced page) Nominator-provided Materials A cover sheet signed by the department head or graduate program director confirming the nominee's eligibility and the unit's financial support.

Please note this cover sheet is meant to provide information essential in determining the awardee's eligibility and not as an additional letter of nomination though the author of the cover sheet may choose to write one of the required letters of nomination.

The cover sheet must address the following three points: Confirmation that the student is the department's one nominee ; Confirmation that the student is not in their final year of graduate studies; and Explanation of the department or institution's commitment to financially support the student.

Typically, these supplemental contributions are in the form of an assistantship and associated tuition waiver during the fellowship/award period so that Sylff awarded-funds can be used to address travel, living, and research expenses associated with an international research project.

Although nominations may be made for students lacking supplemental funding, a priority will be given to those nominations that exhibit a strong institutional commitment to supporting the nominee during the next academic year. Explanation of the department or institution's commitment to financially support the student.

Two letters of recommendation that address the nominee’s experience or potential for leadership that transcends differences; academic performance; integrity and determination; and capacity/motivation to bring about positive social change. Experience or potential for leadership that transcends differences or brings positive social change.

Academic success, including prior graduate degree (if any), cumulative GPA, and academic performance in degree-relevant courses; Strongest candidates have progressed at least to the stage of preparing a research proposal. Quality of nominee statement: professionalism in writing, ability to explain research goals and methods to a general reader, attention to all prompted areas; and recommendation letters. 11:59 p.

m. , Saturday, May 1, 2027. Scholarships and Fellowships Application Form Overview For questions about this award or any Office of Graduate Education administered awards, please email our Graduate Scholarships and Fellowships team.

Additional Sylff Information The awards listed on the Sylff website under Support Programs are additional award opportunities for students who already have a Sylff award.