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Competitive fellowships, scholarships, and internships comprise of a package of resources (frequently financial, but may also include a particular position in a laboratory or at a company) awarded to an applicant to research, study, or work during a designated period of time. They might be funded by a government, a not-for-profit foundation, or a large corporation. They involve a competitive application and selection process, frequently at the national or international level, usually including the submission of a personal statement and other essays.

What is the difference between a fellowship, a scholarship, and an internship? Fellowships are usually associated with financial assistance to support research projects (often at the graduate level). Scholarships are usually associated with financial assistance to pursue studies in general. Internships are usually associated with paid or unpaid hands-on experience in a company. The application process for these is generally similar.

Applying to a fellowship, scholarship, or internship will enable you to reflect meaningfully on how your previous experiences connect to beliefs, identity, relationships, and future plans; build a sense of authorship, self-direction, and focus in your academic career; improve your communication skills; provide you with an experience that you would not be able to have otherwise; distinguish your academic career at John Carroll.