UC Davis University Opens Gilman Scholarship 2027 With $9,000 for Study Abroad

University of California, Davis undergraduates receiving a Federal Pell Grant may be able to study or intern abroad with up to $9,000 in funding through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.

The Gilman Scholarship is funded by the U.S. Department of State, while the UC Davis Global Learning Hub provides application guidance, essay-review support and advisor certification for eligible UC Davis students. The scholarship is designed for undergraduates who might otherwise be unable to afford an international academic experience.

Applications for the main 2027 study-abroad cycle are expected to open in mid-August 2026.

Can UC Davis Students Apply?

Yes. A UC Davis student may apply when all of the following conditions are met:

• The applicant is a U.S. citizen or national.
• They are an undergraduate in good academic standing.
• They currently receive a Federal Pell Grant or will receive one during the overseas program.
• They are applying to or have been accepted into a credit-bearing study-abroad or international internship program.
• Their destination is permitted under the U.S. Department of State’s travel-advisory rules.

Students attending other accredited U.S. two-year and four-year institutions may also apply, but UC Davis applicants can receive university-specific advising through the Global Learning Hub.

Graduate students and international students studying in the United States are not eligible unless they independently hold U.S. citizenship or national status and meet the remaining requirements.

Must You Already Have Study-Abroad Acceptance?

No. UC Davis students may submit a Gilman application while their study-abroad or internship application is still under review. However, proof of acceptance into a credit-bearing overseas program must be provided before scholarship funds can be released.

This is useful for students who need funding confirmation before they can financially commit to travelling abroad.

How Much Can UC Davis Students Receive?

The standard Gilman Scholarship provides up to $5,000, depending on the applicant’s financial need, program costs, duration and application strength. Additional funding may include:

• Critical Need Language Award: Up to $3,000 for studying an eligible language abroad.
• STEM Supplemental Award: Up to $1,000 for approved science, technology, engineering or mathematics coursework or internships.

A student qualifying for the maximum standard award and both supplements could receive as much as $9,000. Funding may help cover airfare, accommodation, meals, tuition, local transportation, books, insurance, passport charges and visa expenses.

Which Overseas Destinations Are Allowed?

Applicants must choose a program in a country or location carrying an overall U.S. State Department Travel Advisory of Level 1 or Level 2 and Gilman scholars cannot participate in programs located in:

• Level 3 areas where travellers are advised to reconsider travel.
• Level 4 areas where travellers are advised not to travel.

Even when a country has an overall Level 1 or Level 2 rating, particular regions within that country may remain prohibited.

What Makes a Gilman Application Competitive?

A successful application does not simply say that studying abroad will be exciting. Applicants should explain why the selected destination and program are important to their academic plans, professional development and future contribution to their community.

The essays should demonstrate:

• A clear academic reason for studying or interning abroad.
• Skills the applicant expects to gain.
• How the student will engage with the host community.
• How they will represent the United States as a citizen diplomat.
• A realistic follow-on service project after returning home.

A strong follow-on project identifies the audience, activity, expected reach and completion plan. For example, an applicant might organize workshops for Pell Grant students at UC Davis, create a study-abroad funding guide or speak to community-college transfer students.

UC Davis Application Support

UC Davis students must identify both a study-abroad certifying advisor and a financial-aid certifying advisor in their Gilman application.

The correct advisor depends on whether the student is joining a UC Davis Summer Abroad, Quarter Abroad, UCEAP or independent study-abroad program.

The UC Davis Global Learning Hub also offers scholarship information sessions, application guidance and essay reviews. Students should use these services before submitting because applications without the required advisor certifications cannot be considered.

Gilman Scholarship Deadlines for UC Davis Students

The Fall 2026 application for US Davis Gilman Scholarship is expected to open in mid-August and close on October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. It covers eligible programs beginning between December 1, 2026, and October 31, 2027.

A second application cycle is scheduled to close on February 25, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time for programs beginning between May 1, 2027, and April 30, 2028.

Gilman recipients may receive the scholarship only once. Students who previously declined an award may reapply, provided they still satisfy every eligibility requirement.