Office of Nationally Competitive Awards at the University of Kentucky

We are THRILLED to announce that senior AJ Hopkins is a 2026 Udall Scholar!🎉

The Udall Scholarship program identifies future leaders in environmental, tribal public policy and healthcare fields. AJ, a natural resources and environmental science major, is one of 65 scholars selected this year from 383 candidates across the country.

“This program has a long history of connecting environmental scholars and policy advocates from across the nation,” she said. “Those connections through the Udall alumni network provide me immense opportunities to engage with and learn from the leaders who came before me.”

UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment UK Gaines Center for the Humanities UK Natural Resources and Environmental Science Martin School of Public Policy and Administration Lewis Honors College

UK student 1 of 65 nationally to receive Udall Scholarship UK student AJ Hopkins, a natural resources and environmental science major, was named one of 65 Udall Scholars nationwide, recognizing her commitment to environmental stewardship and leadership.

Congratulations to UK's newest National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellows!🎉

University of Kentucky Pigman College of Engineering UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment UK College of Arts and Sciences UK Office of Undergraduate Research University of Kentucky Graduate School Lewis Honors College

UK students, alumni earn NSF Graduate Research Fellowships Twelve University of Kentucky students and recent graduates earned prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships supporting STEM research.

Congratulations to English major Hunter Coady, who received an English-Speaking Union Scholarship to study creative writing at the University of Oxford this summer!

“Creative writing is my passion, and I hope to make a career out of it,” he said. “This award will allow me to work on my senior year thesis while I’m there and hone my creative skills, so I can be prepared for graduate school.”

UK student awarded 2026 English-Speaking Union Scholarship Student News UK student awarded 2026 English-Speaking Union Scholarship By Kayla Coffee Monday UK junior Hunter Coady was recently awarded an English-Speaking Union Scholarship. The award covers full tuition and expenses for the student’s three-week experience at the University of Oxford. Photo pr...

Considering graduate school abroad?

Join us on April 22 to learn about competitive awards that fund graduate study in the United Kingdom:

🔵Rhodes Scholarship: funds graduate study at the University of Oxford
🔵Marshall Scholarship: funds graduate study in any field at an institution in the United Kingdom
🔵Fulbright U.S. Student Award: provides grants for graduate study in the United Kingdom
🔵Gates Cambridge Scholarship: funds graduate study at the University of Cambridge
🔵Churchill Scholarship: funds STEM research master's degree at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge

Learn more and register: https://competitiveawards.uky.edu/events/competitive-awards-uk-uk

Congratulations to agricultural and medical biotechnology major Jose Villanos, who was awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for excellence in undergraduate research!

Jose is one of 454 Goldwater Scholars nationwide. He was selected from a pool of 1,485 undergraduates nominated by 482 academic institutions.

“This scholarship broadens my prospects for graduate school,” he said. “It allows me to connect and collaborate with some of the nation’s best researchers.”

Read more: https://uknow.uky.edu/student-news/uk-junior-one-more-450-nationwide-earn-goldwater-scholarship

UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Lewis Honors College UK Office of Undergraduate Research

⭐Congratulations to UK’s newest Astronaut Scholar, biology senior Jaesylin Stephens!⭐

Jaesylin was honored at the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s Innovators Symposium and Gala in Houston, Texas.

“At the conference and symposium, I was honored to meet an extraordinary community of scientists, engineers and astronauts,” she said. “I was thrilled to discuss cross-disciplinary research with fellow Astronaut Scholars who share my passion for scientific discovery.”

The Astronaut Scholarship recognizes juniors and seniors pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with the intent to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their final degree.

UK College of Arts and Sciences Lewis Honors College UK Office of Undergraduate Research

‘I never dreamed I’d see it’: UK Astronaut Scholar conducts research in Madagascar Jaesylin Stephens, a University of Kentucky biology major and Astronaut Scholar, transformed a childhood fascination with Madagascar into a formative research experience studying endangered lemurs and presenting her work at the Astronaut Scholar Technical Conference.

Join a virtual info session to learn more about the Voyager Scholarship!

🔵Feb. 19 @ 3 p.m.
🔵Feb. 25 @ 12 p.m.
🔵Mar. 6 @ 12 p.m. (featuring UK Voyager Carlee O'Neal)
🔵Mar. 10 @ 6 p.m.

Register to attend: https://www.obama.org/programs/voyager-scholarship/

Our office is now accepting applications for the Goldwater Scholarship, which recognizes sophomores and juniors with strong backgrounds in research who plan to pursue STEM research careers.

Campus deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 24. Learn more about the application process: https://competitiveawards.uky.edu/events/goldwater-scholarship-campus-deadline

Congratulations to UK's latest Gilman International Scholarship Program recipients!🎉

9 UK students earn Gilman Scholarships for education abroad Student News 9 UK students earn Gilman Scholarships for education abroad By Tom Musgrave Friday LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 15, 2025) — Nine University of Kentucky students were awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to support their education abroad goals. The U.S. Department of State’s...

Congratulations to UK's eight recipients of the NextGen Service Fellowship!

Sarah Barth, physical therapy
Isabella Butler, political science
Joshua Cain, physical therapy
Danielle Ferriell, psychology
Rachel Hwang, psychology, philosophy & sociology graduate
Angelita Lazaro, social work
Mohamed Ratbi, diplomacy and international commerce
Kauner Shacklette, architecture

The Institute of International Education (IIE), with support from The Rockefeller Foundation and Outrider Foundation, launched the new fellowship to equip the next generation of public service leaders with professional experience in international development careers. Fellows work with organizations overseas focused on fields including education, public health, agriculture, the environment and economic development.

Read more: https://uknow.uky.edu/student-news/uk-students-selected-participate-global-service-fellowship