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UMass Amherst has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as one of the higher education institutions that has produced the most recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship over the past 25 years.

The Gilman Program, which marks its 25^th anniversary this year, has recognized U.S. colleges and universities that have supported the highest number of Gilman Scholars since its establishment in 2001. Named after the late congressman Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY), the congressionally funded program provides merit-based scholarships of up to $5,000 to talented American undergraduate students with high financial need to study or intern abroad for academic credit.

This is the second time that UMass Amherst has been recognized as a Gilman Program top producer. In 2021 on its 20^th anniversary, the university was recognized for producing 285 total Gilman Scholarship recipients; as of October 2025, the total recipients has grown to approximately 330 UMass Amherst students.

UMass Amherst Gilman scholars have studied or interned in Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Portugal, Sweden, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bhutan, Morocco, Jordan, Tanzania, South Africa and Kyrgyzstan, according to the Office of Global Affairs, which oversees study abroad opportunities for the UMass Amherst campus community.

Ashley Krause, education abroad advisor in global affairs, says that applicants explain how they are prepared for their international experience and what they hope to gain. They must also describe how they will serve as “citizen diplomats,” engage with their host community, and propose a service project upon their return to the U.S. that encourages other students to study or intern abroad and raises awareness of the scholarship program.

“Of course, students appreciate the financial help from the Gilman Scholarship, but the application process itself helps students refine and articulate their goals for their international experience and connect it to their future plans,” Krause says. “I’ve worked with a number of students on their follow-on service project, and I am always impressed with the strengthened sense of purpose they have gained while abroad.”

At UMass Amherst, information on the Gilman Scholarship is available through Global Education within the Office of Global Affairs, and through the Office of National Scholarship Advisement. Staff members advise students through campus outreach and essay writing workshops. Students are encouraged to apply for the Gilman two semesters before their planned term abroad.

Nationwide, the Gilman Program has received more than 180,000 applications and awarded more than 50,000 scholarships since 2001. About 72% of Gilman scholars come from small towns or rural communities, and 49% are first-generation college students.

More information about Gilman Scholarships and other scholarship programs offered by UMass Amherst can be found on the Office of Global Affairs website.