Student Grants

Benson Center student grants are open to both undergraduates and graduates

Benson Center student grants are awarded through the CU Boulder Scholarship Application service. The service accepts applications through a common platform, available at https://colorado.academicworks.com/. Please check there for the latest submission deadlines and requirements.

The Center offers three types of student scholarships:

DEADLINE EXTENDED! The John J. Wehman Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who are working in the areas of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Preference may be given to applicants who can demonstrate financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid. Scholarship awards are made in the early fall, and students serve as Wehman Scholars through the academic year. Awardees automatically become Benson Center Undergraduate Fellows. Amount: $1500, renewable. NEW APPLICATION DEADLINE: SEPT. 30, 2022 More information

The Harper PhD Fellowship is awarded to CU Boulder PhD students who commit to year-long participation in the Center’s programming, annual theme, and the larger goal of fostering intellectual diversity and dialogue on the campus and in the broader community. The fellowship is worth $4,000 and is made possible through a generous donation by June Harper. More information

Internship and Language Study Grants are awarded to undergraduate or graduate students at CU Boulder. The internship grant helps subsidize a summer internship, paid or unpaid, that relates to the Center’s mission, including law, government, public policy and education. For example, internships can be based in our nation’s capital, government offices, think tanks, political organizations, or nonprofit organizations. The language grant supports students studying languages associated with Western civilization. Students are expected to enroll in a CU Boulder summer class, although other arrangements are possible when the required classes are not available. Grants awards are $1000 each. More information

Some students may wish to use the Benson Center grants as matching funding for a work-study award. These students must apply for work-study funding More informationthrough the CU student employment office (the application is typically released in March) and procure a work-study position/supervisor on campus. Participating students must complete both their work-study and their scholarship requirements.

The Benson Center also partners with the CU in D.C. program to support semester-long internships in our nation's capital, putting classroom learning into real world action. Please contact the CU in D.C. program directly for more information: https://www.colorado.edu/programs/cuindc/.

2021-22 Student Grantee	Grant Type
Amber Lashbaugh	CU in D.C. internship - Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP (law firm and legal services)
Sara Hagos	CU in D.C. internship – Foreign Policy for America (nonpartisan advocacy organization)
Genasee Worman	CU in D.C. internship - 826DC (arts education nonprofit)

Language Grants

Put a second language on your résumé or CV through a grant to study one of the many languages connected to the field of western civilization. Many students choose to use these language training grants abroad. These grants are typically awarded for study during the summer and are open to both graduate and undergraduate students.

Internship Grants

Wish you had funding to take the (unpaid) internship of your dreams? Finances should not have to stand in the way of advancing your career. Apply for a subsidy toward any internship that relates to Western Civ, including law, government, public policy and education. Many students can find internships related to the professional practice of Western Civ in our nation's capital.

Benson Center internship grants are also available to support students in participating in the CU in D.C. program. For more information, contact CU in D.C.

To apply:

The Benson Center partners with the CU Boulder Scholarship Application service to accept applications through a common platform, available at https://colorado.academicworks.com/. Through this platform you will automatically be matched with scholarships for which you are eligible based on completion of a common application and information from your student profile.

After logging into the platform with your Identikey and password, search for "Benson Center" to find the grant opportunities.

Please check the CU Boulder Scholarship Application service website for the latest deadlines.

A note about funding: Benson Center funding is open to any student at CU Boulder. However, special consideration is given to students in the Foundations of Western Civilization certificate program, members of our Undergraduate Fellows program, and those who have a demonstrated interest in the study of Western Civ through participation at Center events and/or coursework. Graduate students should be able to make a case as to how their research or program of study is related to Western Civ.