Past Recipients

"Receiving the NSF GRFP represented the culmination of my hard work at UCF. My hard work, combined with UCF's generous investment in its students, enabled me to pursue my graduate education via the NSF GRFP and continue to strive to become a research faculty in the field of marine ecology."

"Being Selected for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship is a hallmark event in my life and provides me with great confidence that all the hard work and sacrifices have been worth it. Their support allows me to be in full control of my future and work creatively and freely in any field or project I find interest in, which brings me no greater joy. This recognition is a reminder of how the continual pursuit of excellence, passion for the arts, and community involvement can have compounding effects on your own life and others."

“I was awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. This award is allowing me to focus on my passions, research and mentoring underrepresented students. I am very honored and humbled receiving this award.”

“NSF GRFP is important to me because it allows me to pursue my passions in research without having to worry about finding funding for the project I want to work on.”

“The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship allowed me the opportunity to complete my Master's in Computer Engineering and gain valuable research experience in computer vision without having to worry about finances.”

"Always try your best even when you don’t even believe in yourself yet. You are more capable than what you think. Receiving the NSF GRFP award confirmed this to me. Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try."

"UCF is a unique and special place; I am pleased to write this letter to recognize and thank the BHC, OPA, and UCF for their remarkable dedication to students.

During my last month of undergraduate study at UCF, I was fortunate to find out that I would receive a Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP) from the National Science Foundation (NSF). All of the support and dedication from the Burnett Honors College and the Office of Prestigious Awards laid the foundation for my success. BHC and OPA staff encouraged my career development from the beginning of my time at UCF. Staff identified lofty end goals such as the NSF GRFP and charted steps toward success, including internal opportunities such as the Student Mentoring Academic Research Team (SMART) program, Honors in the Major (HIM) and external activities such as NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs, and recommended “stepping stone” applications such as the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, for which I received an honorable mention.

The NSF GRFP was a gift that helped me both personally and professionally. The fellowship provided financial stability and enabled me to focus on my initial graduate coursework and research. The research I conducted during that time resulted in a master’s degree with a departmental award for best master’s paper in that calendar year, a publication, and research experience with an excellent advisor who continued to advise me for my dissertation. In addition, receipt of the fellowship has demonstrated my ability to acquire grant funding and continued to serve as an asset in my career in academia. I will forever be grateful to UCF for the initial professional development that helped me launch into my current career trajectory."

"To begin my PhD with my own funding from the NSF means that I have the resources to fully devote myself to my passion and the power to direct my own scholarly career."

"The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship provided me flexibility in choosing the research topic I wanted to pursue in my studies, and ultimately enabled me to work on a collaborative research project between the department of mechanical engineering and college of optics. It has also led to opportunities to develop connections with researchers from a range of specialties by working on various side projects. Overall, the fellowship has greatly extended the scope of the work I have been able to do and has given me new connections for future opportunities, increasing the value of my graduate studies as a whole."

"Winning the NSF GRFP for me reaffirmed my belief that with hard work, anything is possible. As a first-generation college student, there were no scientists in my family and no PhDs I could ask for advice. I took advantage of every opportunity in front of me to become a better student and scientist. I also surrounded myself with a support system, which included my mentors Dr. Kaitlyn Crawford (UCF, Material Science and Engineering), Dr. Kyle Rohde (UCF, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences), Dr. Sunny Shin (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology), as well as the McNair Scholars program, all of which played an integral role in helping me achieve this award."

"Receiving funding through the NSF-GRFP has allowed me the freedom to fully focus on exploring my passions through graduate education and research. As a first-generation scholar, receiving this award has been life-changing for myself and my family."

"The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship has given me the time, flexibility, and funding to fully engage in my research and service. This will positively impact the overall trajectory of my career and ultimately allow me to give back to my community."

"Receiving an NSF fellowship (GRFP) has felt like a dream come true. It is an honor that recognizes both my past and my future. I feel affirmation in my success and personal progress leading up to this award and that others believe in me as I continue my education and service to the scientific community. My time at UCF has been a springboard for the achievements I have made. I give a personal thanks to each member of the UCF community who supported me, challenged me, and believed in me during my undergraduate education."

"The most important impact of receiving the NSF GRFP award has been the connections that I have made with other GRFP recipients. Through meetups and events, I have made connections with researchers in the fields of public health, applied mathematics, and biostatistics. These connections have fundamentally influenced how I think about approaching my own research, and I think that the value of my work has increased as a result. The NSF GRFP encourages consideration for the broader impact of your scientific work alongside its academic importance."

“The Gilman scholarship allowed me to study abroad and live in a new country which expanded my worldview and allowed me to learn in diverse environments. I think the personal growth and communication skills I gained over the course of my time abroad will help prepare me for graduate school and my future career as an electrical engineer. I studied at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. I was really interested in going to Melbourne because it is regarded as one of the most livable cities and it has a really vibrant coffee and cultural scene. I really loved living in Melbourne, and I am so grateful that the Gilman Scholarship helped me afford my study abroad experience!”

"Receiving the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship made it possible for my lifelong dream to travel to Austria to come true. Living in Innsbruck, Austria for 4 months in 2015 was more than I had hoped for. It was the best academic decision I ever made. I was able to get an international perspective in my studies in hospitality, in particular, international tourism. I have a whole new appreciation for the people and cultures of this world as I studied with students and under instructors who also came from all over the globe. In addition, this scholarship foundation continues to give me post study abroad support in my career pursuits. Again, best academic decision ever!"

"The Gilman scholarship means so much to me because it allows me to explore the medical profession in a different country while giving me invaluable exposure to different surgical specialties. Without this scholarship, I would not have the ability to spend five weeks in Greece shadowing doctors and observing medical procedures side-by-side doctors. This invaluable experience will significantly benefit me on my journey to becoming a doctor."

"Winning this award has brought me so much excitement and motivation for all my upcoming experiences that I am going to have abroad!"

"The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a highly competitive study abroad scholarship program run through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Being a Gilman Scholar will allow me to fulfill my dream of studying abroad and allow me to immerse myself in a completely different culture. I believe that this is a valuable experience in expanding one’s worldview and adaption skills. I am beyond grateful for this truly rewarding experience that the Gilman scholarship has made a possibility."

"Every opportunity that allows me to further my career path in global diplomacy further instills my drive towards common ground and the exchanging of each regions unique gifts throughout the global community. The Gilman Scholarship has allowed me to further that dream tenfold and I look to capitalize on their investment in me, for that I am eternally grateful."

"The Gilman Scholarship is helping me fulfill my dream of studying abroad in Germany, finally going to Europe, and participating in a performer's intensive summer program. I cannot wait to experience another country and soak up as much knowledge and experience as I can!"

"Receiving the Gilman Scholarship has allowed me the opportunity to travel and experience a world beyond my current cultural lens. I have an insatiable drive to travel and meet people from different cultures around the world, and thanks to the support from the Gilman Scholarship, that’s possible. I am forever grateful for that."

“I received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. To me, this award means having the ability to travel abroad and be able to get experiences that enrich my social and cultural life. Get involved in the international community with a deeper understanding of my place in the world. And an opportunity to recognize diversity hands-on and appreciate what life brings to the table and learn from it. Ultimately, everyone deserves an opportunity to study abroad and I’m extremely grateful to be a recipient.”

“I am a recipient of the Benjamin A Gilman Award. This award is extremely important to me because it takes a huge burden off my shoulders in terms of the financial stress that I was under in order to fund my study abroad in Madrid. I have been wanting to study abroad since I was a sophomore in high school and that dream became a reality when I was accepted into the exchange program at the University of Nebrija in Madrid, Spain. However, studying abroad is very expensive and a lot of students don't study abroad because of this reason. This scholarship has made that dream of mine not only more feasible, but more enjoyable now that this scholarship has relieved some financial stress that I had. I am forever grateful to have received this scholarship.”

“Receiving this scholarship means the world to me as I would not have the privilege to study abroad without it. Also, becoming a Gilman scholar will give me the opportunity to share my experience with others who wish to study abroad as well. Overall, this scholarship will allow me to be able to expand my worldview and enjoy my time abroad.”

"I have been interacting with Japanese media and culture for about half of my life now. After failing an attempt at learning Japanese for a few months in sixth grade, I vowed to myself to wait until college to get properly educated in Japanese and study abroad once I was proficient enough. Once I finally felt like I was ready to take on my dream of studying abroad, the prices made me hesitate. After learning about the Gilman scholarship, I never looked back. It seemed quite difficult to conquer at first, but after hours of writing and checking and re-writing my essays, I received the email that I had been awarded the scholarship. The Gilman scholarship has provided me with the means to fulfill my lifelong dream, and I couldn't be happier! If middle school me could see me now, preparing to step onto the campus of J. F. Oberlin University in Tokyo, she would be so proud of what I have achieved. "

"As a first-generation college student, often are opportunities that feel attainable, yet also out of reach. I am astounded to have received the Gilman Scholarship, which would not have been possible without the kind support of my language professors, as well as the study abroad department for closing the knowledge and achievement gap once present. My years of studying French have culminated into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at the world-renowned University of Paris, allowing me to take part in experiences both in and out of the classroom that surely will lend over to my hopes of being an educator."

"Becoming a Gilman Scholar is truly an honor. I am elated to have received this opportunity as I will be able to expand my academic, personal, and professional horizons while studying abroad free of cost. Thank you to the Gilman program! "

"The Gilman scholarship has given me the opportunity to pursue my education in South Korea. I can’t express in enough words what the Gilman scholarship means to me. As a first-generation African American woman, studying abroad was something that I thought was unattainable. The Gilman scholarship helped make that a reality."

"The Gilman fellowship has allowed to gain one of the most valuable experiences of my life. With the help of the Gilman fellowship, I was able to participate in a program that has positively affected the lives of countless people. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity!"

"I was awarded the Gilman Scholarship, to study the "History of Anatomy" in Italy. This scholarship meant that I was able to experience a new culture, hold a true grasp of the start of medicine and anatomy. Finally, meeting other students that we're passionate about helping others through the art of medicine, and inspiring to be around. I feel super blessed and grateful to have had this opportunity."

"This award means the most to me as it recognizes my hard work and the future opportunities that await me based solely on my character, values, and devotion to my own self growth."

"Thanks to scholarships like Gilman, students like me can let go of their limitations. This year I've challenged myself to seek studies abroad and bring America one step closer to cultural diversity and awareness. The Gilman foundation saw something in me that reminded me to always apply myself. APPLY APPLY APPLY! Life is what you make it."

"The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program eased the financial burden of studying abroad for my family. I am very grateful for the dedication and commitment of the Gilman Foundation Advisors involved in the process. I hold this award with great honor."

"Being awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship has been such a high honor that, to me, represents opportunity. With this award, I was able to expand my horizons by studying abroad across the world in South Korea, immersing myself in a different culture, learning a new language, meeting many amazing people from around the world, and leaving with a fresh, new perspective on life, along with a plethora of amazing memories and lifelong friends."

"I never thought I would have the ability to travel abroad due to my family’s finances. Due to receiving the Gilman Scholarship I’ve been given this option however and couldn’t be more thankful."

"As a Gilman International Scholar, I was given the opportunity to not only study abroad, but really enhance my world view and learn about cultures that differ from mine."

"The Gilman Scholarship gave me the chance to gain a new perspective and understanding of a different culture but most importantly, the world. This scholarship provided the opportunity to conquer my dreams by going overseas to gain experience in my field and develop a deeper understanding of how educators have a great impact on the life of others."

"Prior to becoming a Gilman scholar recipient, I did not think it was possible for me to ever study abroad. Gilman allowed me to see my dream into fruition and have an experience that has made a huge impact on my future plans."

"The Impact of the Gilman scholarship on me, has been the idea of taking a chance on myself,  no matter how difficult the decision might be in the moment. This scholarship has allowed me to be the first person in my immediate family to go outside of the United States. On top of that, it has also allowed me to further show my younger relatives that although the circumstances we were born into weren't optimal, it doesn't mean we can't rise from it to ensure the success of the next generations of our family to come. Studying Abroad is a hard choice to make when you don't have family to help you, but all the hard work and challenges are worth taking the chance on when you get to enjoy people and parts of the world that you never would've been able to had you stayed home."