MPA & MPP Scholarship Opportunities

This page lists scholarship and grant opportunities by application deadline from UA and external resources for graduate students.

New scholarships are added as they are announced. Please direct any questions to the scholarship source. 
Additional scholarships for graduate students can be found at Scholarship Universe as well as from the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences.
 
Scholarship opportunities with specific deadlines:

Win $1,000 for telling us how you used the library for your research!

The annual Katheryne B. Willock Library Research Award recognizes University of Arizona undergraduate and graduate students who have made extensive use of the services and resources at the University of Arizona Libraries.

Click here for more info.

The Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme (AKF ISP) is an opportunity for outstanding scholars from selected countries*, who have no other means of financing their studies, to pursue postgraduate education. The Foundation gives priority to requests for Master's level courses but is willing to consider applications for PhD programmes. AKF ISP awards are structured as half grant and half loan – where you need to repay 50 percent of the award amount. Scholarships for Master’s studies are granted for the entire duration of the degree course. For PhD students, scholarships are awarded for the first two years, after which you are expected to find funding from alternative sources. The award covers your tuition fees and living expenses. It does not cover the cost of international travel, clothing, furniture, or living expenses for family members. In order to maintain an AKF ISP award, you need to demonstrate good academic standing, as well as ongoing financial need, during the course of your postgraduate program. Note: preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age. 

  • Deadline: March 31, 2025 (see website for country-specific deadlines)
  • Citizenship: At present, the AKF ISP is available in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda
    • In Canada, France, Portugal and the USA, applications are accepted from those who are originally from one of the countries listed above
  • Explore the website for more information

Graduate students are encouraged to apply for either the Tribal Nations Scholarship or the Jonathan & Terilene Rios AIA/Tribal Nations Scholarship. They can now be found on Scholarship Universe. Please note, when you log into Scholarship Universe, we highly recommend you tailor your search! You can find the scholarship if you filter your search by typing “Tribal Nations Scholarship” into the main search bar. 

The ABA Foundation mission is to support the motorcoach travel and tour industry with research and scholarships that benefit the ABA, policymakers and the public. Academic Merit Scholarships are open to both ABA and non-ABA Members. You must be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student at an accredited university (4-year university/college or junior college). You must have a declared major or course of study relevant to the transportation, travel, and tourism industry. You will be required to submit a short essay on how your major or course of study is relevant to the transportation, travel, and tourism industries. You must maintain a minimum GPA of a 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

The Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment & Social Justice is pleased to announce an open call for Resilience Graduate Research Awards proposals to support University of Arizona graduate students doing research relevant to water, energy, and food resilience of tribes. Graduate students from all disciplines that specifically address these issues are invited to apply.

Note: Priority will be given to applications that support graduate students whose work addresses the water, energy, and/or food issues and challenges, and other adverse consequences of extreme weather events faced by federally-recognized tribes, especially those within Arizona. 

Applicants who seek to work directly with tribes must have experience with, or obtain knowledge and training regarding the relevant tribal laws, regulations, and approvals that govern University research, education and extension work for and with tribes. Funds are available for up to $20,000 per applicant. 

  • Deadline: April 30, 2025
  • Citizenship: Unspecified
  • Access the website to learn more about the opportunity

The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native college students enrolled in certificate, undergraduate, or graduate program at tribal colleges and other nonprofit, accredited schools. To be eligible, students must be an enrolled member (or a descendant of one) of a federally or state-recognized tribe while demonstrating a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 and maintaining full-time enrollment.

Scholarships with various or rolling deadlines:

The Graduate & Professional Student Council (GPSC) has Travel Grants, Research and Project Grants, Professional Opportunities Development (POD) Funding, Completion Grants (new) and Basic Needs Microgrants.

The Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) offers the following scholarships to MPA and MPP students who are very active in local government:

  • Marvin A Andrews Scholarship/Internship
  • Charles A. Esser Memorial Scholarship

These additional scholarships are also available to apply for if attending specific conferences:

  • Jane L. Morris Woman Leading Government Scholarships (for the Winter ACMA Conference)
  • ICMA Conference Scholarship

Additional information on all the scholarships listed above can be found at http://azmanagement.org/membership/scholarships/.

 

The Haury Program is pleased to announce an open call for proposals to support the research of graduate students who bring knowledge and experience on matters relevant to Native American and Indigenous resilience. Special consideration will be given to applications to support graduate students:

  1. whose work addresses the severe water access and water quality challenges that face Native American and Indigenous communities, especially those within Arizona; and
  2. who have experience or is interested in strengthening their skills related to tribal customs and governance, traditional knowledge, and ways of approaching resilience challenges of Native American and Indigenous communities that respect both.

These one-time Native Pathways Awards will be made on a rolling basis and evaluated as they are received. Funds are available immediately and must be spent within one year of receipt. Please note: we have limited funds available, and proposals received after funds have been exhausted will not be considered. Funds are available for up to $20,000 per applicant.

American Indian Graduate Center offers a variety of funding opportunities for graduate students including MA, MS, PhD, STEM, Medical, Law, MBA, and other professional degrees. There are several funding opportunities, including in special higher education, finance, aerospace, veterinary medicine, and more.

  • Deadline: Varies by opportunity

Since 2006, To Write Love on Her Arm (TWLOHA) has invested $2.6 million in making it possible for people to sit with a counselor or attend a support group when they need it most. Applications for Treatment & Recovery Scholarships are accepted in seasonal cycles, on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the demonstrated financial needs of an individual. Our mission is to present hope and help for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, suicide, and other mental illnesses. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery. The average amount awarded is between 3-6 months at the counseling (outpatient) care level.

American Indian Graduate Center offers a variety of funding opportunities for graduate students including MA, MS, PhD, STEM, Medical, Law, MBA, and other professional degrees. There are several funding opportunities, including the Empowering Scholars Initiative: AIGC Access Scholarships, REDW Scholarship, Scholarships and Professional Training Opportunities, Special Higher Education Program, and more!

ScholarshipsA-Z is a Tucson-based immigrant youth-led organization that works to make higher education accessible to all students regardless of immigration status.

Click here for more information.

Founded in 2006, Immigrants Rising transforms individuals and fuels broader changes. With resources and support, undocumented young people are able to get an education, pursue careers, and build a brighter future for themselves and their community. Immigrants Rising’s List of Graduate Scholarships contains scholarships for graduate studies that don’t require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency. This up-to-date list, organized by deadline date, contains scholarships at the local (Bay Area), state and national level.

For students from developing countries who are currently studying in the United States or Canada, the MMMF awards grants of approximately $12,000 each; grants are not renewable. The MMMF also typically invites the recipients to Washington DC to participate in a three day Awards Program organized in their honor.

  • Deadline: Varies
  • Citizenship: National of a country listed on the MMEG Country Eligibility List (see website)
  • Website: http://www.mmeg.org/apply/

Google has granted 500 Career Certificate Scholarships for HACU to disperse to its students attending Hispanic Serving Member Institutions. Gain the job-ready skills you need to launch or advance your career with a certificate in Google IT Support, Google IT Automation with Python, Google Data Analytics, Google Project Management or Google UX Design. See below for information about certificates offered through this initiative.

Career Certificate Scholarship Program applicants must also meet the following scholarship criteria to qualify.

  • Open to ALL majors
  • Must be attending a 2- or 4-year HACU Member institution
  • Open to Undergraduate and Graduate students
  • Must complete the program within 6 months

Scholarship specific essay question: Please briefly share how you think the Grow with Google Career Certificate you are interested in will benefit your career and/or professional development goals.

How to Apply:

Fill out the Career Certificate Scholarship Application Form HERE

Your application will be reviewed and upon selection, you will receive an invitation from Coursera learning platform to join and select the certificate you chose. You will receive automated reminders and completion emails from Coursera throughout the program. Please ensure you are reading them for updates and important information.

Application Dates: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all scholarships are filled. Applicants are placed on a wait list if all spots are occupied. As certificates are completed, students on the wait list will be invited to join.

Page last updated: 3/24/25