Every year, millions of students miss out on life‑changing scholarship opportunities simply because they don’t know they exist. While the big names like Rhodes, Fulbright, and Gates Millennium are highly competitive and well‑publicized, a host of lesser‑known awards offer generous funding—and often face fewer applicants. In this guide, we’ll uncover 10 “secret” scholarships that fly under the radar but can help you cover tuition, research expenses, travel grants, and more. Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate student, or recent graduate, read on to discover hidden funding gems you’ll want to apply for before the deadlines roll around.

1. Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship

Award Amount: Up to $10,000 per year
Who Should Apply: Women pursuing PhD or doctoral studies in aerospace-related sciences and engineering.

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship honors the legacy of pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart by funding women who are breaking barriers in aerospace research. Awardees are selected based on academic excellence, demonstrated potential, and commitment to contributing to aerospace sciences.

Key Eligibility

• Must be a woman enrolled in a full‑time PhD or doctoral program.
• Research focus on aeronautical or astronautical engineering, space science, or related fields.
• Strong academic record and two letters of recommendation.

Application Tips

• Emphasize your unique research angle and how it advances aerospace.
• Secure endorsements from faculty who know your work intimately.
• Submit a concise project summary that highlights innovation and feasibility.

2. SMART Scholarship‑for‑Service Program

Award Amount: Full tuition + $25,000 annual stipend
Who Should Apply: Undergraduates and graduates in STEM fields willing to work for the Department of Defense after graduation.

The SMART (Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation) Scholarship‑for‑Service Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense to cultivate skilled STEM professionals. In exchange for generous funding, recipients commit to a paid internship each summer and a minimum of one year of civilian employment with DoD labs.

Key Eligibility

• Pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in STEM disciplines.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Willing to undergo a background check and commit to post-graduation service.

Application Tips

• Highlight past research, internships, or projects related to national security.
• Demonstrate leadership through campus activities or STEM outreach.
• Prepare for an interview focused on technical aptitude and team collaboration.

3. Stamps Scholars Program

Award Amount: Up to $95,000 over four years
Who Should Apply: High‑achieving high school seniors and community college transfers.

The Stamps Scholars Program partners with 40+ top U.S. universities to provide merit scholarships that cover tuition, fees, travel, enrichment, and research. Stamps Scholars receive additional funding for global travel, internships, and personal development.

Key Eligibility

• Exceptional academic record (GPA 3.8+ recommended).
• Demonstrated leadership and community service.
• Application through participating universities only.

Application Tips

• Speak to current Stamps Scholars or alumni to understand campus culture.
• Craft essays that showcase intellectual curiosity and impact.
• Document your extracurricular leadership with concrete outcomes.

4. Davis Projects for Peace

Award Amount: $10,000 grant
Who Should Apply: Undergraduate and graduate students with bold, grassroots peace-building project ideas.

Created by philanthropist Kathryn W. Davis, Projects for Peace empowers students to implement one‑week, student-led peace initiatives in communities around the globe. Previous projects have included after‑school conflict resolution workshops, water access campaigns, and cross‑cultural art programs.

Key Eligibility

• Enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student.
• Project must promote peace, sustainability, and cross-cultural understanding.
• Detailed budget and implementation plan required.

Application Tips

• Partner with a local NGO or community group to strengthen feasibility.
• Include clear metrics for measuring community impact.
• Provide letters of support from project stakeholders.

5. National Geographic Young Explorers Grant

Award Amount: $2,000–$7,500
Who Should Apply: Emerging scientists, journalists, filmmakers, and educators under 25.

This grant supports individuals embarking on fieldwork, education, conservation, research, storytelling, or technology projects that align with National Geographic’s mission. Past recipients have documented endangered species, developed water‑purification systems, and produced VR experiences of remote cultures.

Key Eligibility

• Age 18–25 at the time of application.
• Project must have a clear connection to exploration, conservation, or storytelling.
• Demonstrated leadership and technical skills.

Application Tips

• Submit rich media (photos, video clips) to illustrate your vision.
• Detail a viable timeline and contingency plans for fieldwork.
• Show how your project will contribute to broader scientific or cultural understanding.

6. Generation Google Scholarship (Anomaly Edition)

Award Amount: $10,000–$15,000
Who Should Apply: Students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing computer science or tech-related degrees.

While the standard Generation Google Scholarship is well-known, some regional “Anomaly Edition” scholarships are rarely publicized—targeting specific states or countries with additional funds and mentorship opportunities. These variations often have smaller applicant pools.

Key Eligibility

• Enrolled full‑time in a bachelor’s or master’s program in CS or related field.
• Strong academic record and demonstrated leadership in tech.
• Belong to an underrepresented group in tech (e.g., women, LGBTQ+, certain ethnicities).

Application Tips

• Research local Google developer groups or campus clubs for insider leads.
• Highlight community outreach like coding workshops or hackathons.
• Prepare a portfolio of personal or collaborative CS projects.

7. Google Lime Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000 (US) / $5,000 (Canada)
Who Should Apply: Students with disabilities pursuing computer science or computer engineering.

In partnership with Lime Connect, Google awards scholarships to students with a visible or invisible disability who demonstrate leadership and academic excellence. Recipients also receive an invitation to the annual Scholars’ Retreat for networking and professional development.

Key Eligibility

• Undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited program.
• Documentation of permanent disability.
• Passionate about technology and leadership potential.

Application Tips

• Describe challenges you’ve overcome and how they shaped your goals.
• Emphasize any advocacy or mentorship you’ve provided for peers with disabilities.
• Request recommendations from instructors who can attest to both your technical skills and resilience.

8. Schmidt Science Fellows Program

Award Amount: $100,000 stipend + $150,000 research budget
Who Should Apply: Postdoctoral researchers with a cross‑disciplinary focus in natural sciences, computing, or engineering.

Funded by the Schmidt Family Foundation, this fellowship accelerates the careers of promising early‑career scientists by enabling them to switch fields and gain complementary expertise. Fellows spend a year at a host lab outside their primary discipline and then return to their home institution to lead innovative research.

Key Eligibility

• Recent PhD graduates (within 3 years) in STEM fields.
• Demonstrated potential for scientific leadership and innovation.
• Support from home and host labs for cross-disciplinary work.

Application Tips

• Present a clear rationale for your discipline switch and expected impact.
• Secure letters from both your PhD advisor and a potential host lab mentor.
• Outline a detailed research plan with milestones and deliverables.

9. Fulbright Arctic Initiative

Award Amount: Full grant covering travel, living stipend, and research expenses
Who Should Apply: Scholars focused on Arctic research in areas such as climate change, indigenous studies, or sustainable development.

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative is a collaborative fellowship that brings together researchers from Arctic Council member states to address pressing challenges in the polar regions. Projects range from permafrost monitoring to indigenous language preservation.

Key Eligibility

• PhD candidates or early‑career researchers with a project related to the Arctic.
• Citizenship of an Arctic Council member country.
• Proposal demonstrating transnational collaboration.

Application Tips

• Identify partner institutions in at least two Arctic countries.
• Highlight interdisciplinary approaches bridging social and natural sciences.
• Demonstrate the potential policy or community impact of your research.

10. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

Award Amount: Up to $20,000
Who Should Apply: Low‑income women aged 35+ pursuing vocational or undergraduate study.

Named for U.S. Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin, this scholarship supports mature women who are balancing education with family and work obligations. Recipients often use the funds to cover childcare, transportation, and tuition costs.

Key Eligibility

• Identify as female and be at least 35 years old.
• Demonstrate financial need (low‑income status).
• Enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited program.

Application Tips

• Tell your unique story of returning to education later in life.
• Detail how the scholarship will remove specific barriers (e.g., childcare).
• Obtain a strong recommendation from an employer or community leader.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Don’t let hidden scholarship opportunities slip through the cracks. These 10 secret awards can significantly reduce your educational costs—and many face far less competition than well‑publicized programs. Here’s how to turn this information into action:

• Create a Target List: Note deadlines, award amounts, and eligibility for each scholarship.
• Gather Materials Early: Draft essays, secure recommendation letters, and organize transcripts.
• Set Deadlines: Work backward from each application deadline and schedule time for edits and reviews.
• Track Your Progress: Use a spreadsheet or project‑management tool to stay on top of submissions.
• Follow Up: After submitting, send a brief thank‑you email to scholarship coordinators or committees.

Ready to unlock these hidden funding sources? Start by bookmarking this page, gathering your materials today, and embarking on your applications. The scholarship that launches your academic journey could be just one secret away!