Fund your Political Science Degree with Free College Grants
Political science is a popular area of study for students with an interest in the theory and practice and there are college grants available to help students obtain their degrees.

Graduate students can engage in a variety of career paths spanning a sphere of industries that political science intersects with; popular areas include business, economics, health, journalism, law, science and electoral politics to mention just a few. Grants for political science students are available from private sources related to these industries. In addition, undergraduate and graduate students can apply for numerous grants, fellowships and scholarships available through federal departments, colleges and universities.

Many political science grants and funding programs are designed to assist students with their tuition expenses. Often students will engage in international study and research programs that can be supported also. If you are pursuing a degree in political science, the following grant resources may assist paying for your education.

Grants from Private Organizations

The American Political Science Association (APSA) is a leading source of funding for students involved in all areas of political science. The organization administers several fellowships and grants available for student’s research projects in national and international politics. Among small research grants, they also administer fellowships that include the Minority Fellows program and Congressional Fellowship program.

The following organizations also offer political science students financial support:

  • The Ralph Bunche Human Rights Fellowships administered by Amnesty International are available to political science students involved in projects based on international human rights that focus on developing human rights leaders in communities of color.
  • The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation administers the Kennedy Library Foundation Grant. This is available in spring and fall semesters and awards range from $500 to £2500 per student.

College University Grants

Several universities across the United States administer grants specifically to support the work of their students engaging in political science related subjects. The more prominent universities that have distinguished political science departments present students with excellent grant opportunities.

  • The political science department at Cornell University administers numerous grants and fellowships that support students in language studies, conference grants, research and travel grants and grants explicitly for graduates.
  • Graduate political science students enrolled in the University of Minnesota can receive grants and stipends worth up to $15,000 per year through the Department of Political Science. Fellowships are also available to Ph.D. students working on dissertation papers related directly to political science.
  • Yale University supports students’ at all academic levels. Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing research and studies in international politics can receive financial support through the Lietner Program. This program also supports doctoral students to help pay for the cost of dissertation work.

Federal Funded Grants

The Department of Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) at the National Science Foundation administer grants to students at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level to help fund research projects in areas related to political science. Awards vary and all funding programs are available to view on their website.