Awarding excellence

Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, the Department of Political Science offers numerous scholarships and awards to high-achieving political science and international relations majors. Applications are accepted every year between January-March via the University of Iowa Scholarship Portal. Annual scholarship recipients are recognized at a departmental awards reception in April.

Scholarship Recipients

Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
Click on the headings below for expanded information about our scholarship opportunities.

Scholarships

The scholarship was established in memory of Vernon and Georgia Bender and was established in 1998.

  • One award will be given to an undergraduate political science major. 
  • GPA must be 3.5 or above.
  • Student must be enrolled full time and ambitious.
  • Student must demonstrate a financial need.

The scholarship was established in 2005 in memory of Joseph Domke.

  • One award will be given to a junior or senior political science major.
  • Student must demonstrate a financial need.
  • Preference will be given to a student who plans to attend law school.
  • Preference will be given to a student who demonstrates a focus on education and compassion for those in need. 

Former Alumni Advisory Board president and board member Joseph Gaylord and his wife have generously gifted the department this scholarship to provide support to a deserving undergraduate majoring political science. 

  • Two awards will be given to undergraduate students majoring in political science.
  • Student must be actively involved in campus activities.
  • Student must be an Iowa resident, and have graduated from an Iowa area high school.
  • Preference will be based on merit first, need second. 

Awarded to exceptional political science students who demonstrate merit and are in good academic standing.

The scholarship was established in memory of V. Don Hudson. Professor Hudson graduated from The University of Iowa Department of Political Science in 1936.

  • One award will be given to an undergraduate student in the field of political science. 
  • Student must be an undergraduate or graduate student who has a physical disability.
  • Student must intend to pursue a higher education career in political science studies.
  • Student must demonstrate a financial need.

The scholarship was established in memory of Professor Donald B. Johnson who was a faculty member in the Department of Political Science from 1951 until his death in 1981. He was renowned for his teaching in the field of American Politics and for his political activism.

  • Awarded to two undergraduate political science majors who are completing their junior years.
  • Student must exemplify the quality of character and leadership by which Donald Johnson was known.
  • Student must demonstrate a financial need.
  • Johnson Fellowship will be awarded on the base of merit.
  • Johnson Scholarship will be awarded on the base of merit and financial need.

Mr. Netherton, a current member of the Department of Political Science Advisory Board, provides the scholarship to support current students studying political science who are interested in pursuing a research project under the supervision of tenured and tenure-track faculty in the Department of Political Science.

  • Preference is given to students whose project promotes political activism and/or civic engagement in minority, LGBT, immigrant and/or underserved communities.
  • Students must be undergraduates of at least sophomore status and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

The scholarship will be awarded to one undergraduate student majoring in political science or international relations.

The scholarship was established in memory of Teri G. Rasmussen by her parents.  Ms. Rasmussen graduated from the University of Iowa in 1981 with a BA in Political Science and Phi Beta Kappa honors, and she earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan, School of Law in 1984 with honors. She practiced law from 1984 until the time of her death in 2011.

  • Awarded to an undergraduate political science major who intends to pursue a career in law (attorney, paralegal, etc.).
  • At the time of the application, the student should have at least one full semester of course work to complete before graduating.

The scholarship provides support to a deserving undergraduate political science major. Recipients of this scholarship are invited to the Third House annual recognition dinner to highlight student accomplishments.

Mr. Tyner, a current member of the Department of Political Science Advisory Board, has generously gifted the department this scholarship to provide support to a deserving undergraduate majoring in international relations or political science. 

  • Preference will be given to a student who is a member of the University of Iowa Honors Program.

For the annual First-Generation Scholarship, the Department of Political Science selects one outstanding student who is the first person in their family to pursue a four-year degree. For more information about the University of Iowa's First Gen@Iowa initiative, visit https://firstgen.uiowa.edu

Every spring, exceptional undergraduate research papers are selected as candidates for our Best Paper Award. Finalists participate in a poster presentation and winner placements are selected by members of the Political Science Alumni Advisory Board.

In addition to our departmental annual scholarships, the department nominates individuals for the Fairall scholarships. A committee from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Fairall Trustees then makes the final awarding decisions. The scholarships are awarded without regard to financial need. However, candidates must meet the criteria listed.

Laurence Fairall Scholarship

  • Must be senior or graduate students enrolled at the University of Iowa intending and willing to devote themselves to subjects which will better them for the United States Diplomatic Service.
  • Must be an Iowa resident by birth and have been educated in Iowa.
  • Must have at least a 3.0 cumulative University of Iowa GPA.
  • Must be enrolled full-time.

CLAS Scholarships
Full list of annual scholarships offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

UI Undergraduate Fellowships
Honors students are encouraged to contact the UI Undergraduate Fellowship office to learn more about fellowship opportunities.

International Study
Students interested in pursuing international study and research may learn more about international funding opportunities through International Programs.

ICRU Research Fellows Program
The Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates (ICRU) provides funding for undergraduates to work with UI faculty or P&S staff mentors on a specific research or creative project. 

Students are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor and departmental faculty about additional opportunities.