Deadline: September 25, 2026
Applications are open for the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) Student Scholars Program 2026. Established in 2010 with generous support from the Malú and Carlos Alvarez Family, the Student Scholars Program offers 25 undergraduate students from Council communities the opportunity to attend the National Conference at no cost. WACA also supports the travel, room, and board of program participants.
While in Washington, the students also attend Scholar Day, an exclusive excursion into DC that includes visits to think tanks, embassies, international organizations, and more. Through these experiences, students map their global futures and take important next steps in their education and careers.
Benefits
- WACA provides $1,250 to the nominating Council to defray travel and lodging (double occupancy) costs for their Scholar. Councils are responsible for arranging transportation and hotel reservations that must include attendance all three days of National Conference. To help Councils find Scholar roommates, WACA shares the list of accepted Scholars with sponsoring Councils.
Eligibility
- Each Council may nominate one undergraduate student 18 years or older from a local college or university. Multiple nominees from the same Council will not be considered.
- To broaden the reach of the WACA network, they appreciate local Councils promoting the Student Scholars opportunity widely among local institutions of higher education. Among equally-qualified applicants of promise, preference is given to nominees who may not yet have significant local Council involvement.
The following are not eligible to apply:
- High school students
- Graduate students
- College students in Greater Washington, DC (“the DMV”)
- Prior nominees who were not selected
Nomination
Once a nominee has been chosen, the Council must submit a(n):
- Online nomination form
- Letter of recommendation from a professor (preferred) or another professional who can attest to the nominee’s preparation and the value they would gain from the opportunity
(It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the letter is sent to the Council in time)
The nominated student must submit a(n):
- Online application form
- Current resume
- 1-2 page Letter of Intent
Nominated students will be reviewed by the national office in consultation with the WACA Board of Directors. Selections will be announced within 2 weeks after the application deadline. As part of their participation requirement, Student Scholars submit a brief evaluation and report on their experience no later than two weeks after National Conference.
For more information, visit WACA Student Scholars Program.
