Stamps Scholars Program
Source: https://careeradvancement.uchicago.edu/student-opportunities/grant-funding/stamps-scholars-program/ Parent: https://careeradvancement.uchicago.edu/
UChicago partners with the Stamps Scholars Program, made possible with the support of benefactors E. Roe Stamps and his late wife Penny, to recognize exceptional students who exemplify leadership, perseverance, scholarship, service, and innovation. The University of Chicago Stamps Scholars Program accepts applications from second-year students for enrichment grants that allow them to take on ambitious experiential learning projects during their third and fourth years.
Award Amount and Eligible Opportunities
UChicago Stamps Scholars receive grants of $20,000 that can be used over the course of their final two years at the University. Selected students can use the funding during both the summer and the academic year beginning in Summer 2026.
Recipients may use these enrichment funds for a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities, including internships, research projects, entrepreneurial endeavors, volunteering, attending professional conferences, and other experiences at the discretion of the University and the Foundation.
The award cannot be used for an internship with an organization that was formed for the purpose of supporting a candidate for political office. Because the University is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under the tax code, it is prohibited from participating in political campaign activities.
Eligible Destinations for International Opportunities
The University of Chicago’s working assumption is that travel to countries or regions with a U.S. Department of State Level 3 or Level 4 Advisory is not permitted for undergraduate participants. We also use as indicators the advisory levels published by the Centers for Disease Control and our emergency provider, International SOS. Thus, if the country or region to which travel is contemplated is listed as Level 3 or 4 in the State Department’s travel advisories OR has a warning level 3 from the Centers for Disease Control OR has an International SOS risk rating of High or Extreme, travel is assumed to be prohibited. Students may petition for an exemption. See below for the petition process.
For questions regarding the petition process, please contact Chiara Montanari at chiaram@uchicago.edu. \ \ For country-specific information, reference:
where one can log in with UChicago’s membership number: 11BCAS084635.
Stamps Application Process
Applications will open on Monday, December 1, 2025 and close on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Students can apply through UChicago Handshake.
Review the eligibility and required materials for a Stamps Scholarship.
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Eligibility
Current second-year College students who plan to graduate in June 2028 are eligible to apply for the Stamps Scholars Program.
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Required Materials
Interested students should submit the following materials through UChicago Handshake:
- A standardized cover sheet with information about the applicant, their project, and their faculty or staff mentor, available for download through the Handshake posting. *Please submit your cover sheet and your resume as one document: paste your resume into the cover sheet document on a separate page and upload it as one "Resume" document on Handshake.
- A resume, no longer than one page. For assistance with preparing a resume, please visit Career Advancement’s Resume & Interview toolkit or schedule an appointment with a career adviser.
- An unofficial transcript, accessible through myUChicago.
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A statement of purpose, no longer than two pages (either single or double spaced is acceptable), explaining:
- the applicant’s academic or professional goals, especially for their final two years at UChicago
- the project(s) or experience(s) the student plans to use the enrichment funds for if selected as a Stamps Scholar
- the UChicago faculty or staff member whom the student has identified to serve as a mentor and provide support and guidance during the project(s)
- how the student’s prior experiences have prepared them to succeed in the proposed project(s)
- how the project(s) would support their stated goals
- Please consult this sheet for funding guidelines.
- A questionnaire with information requested by the Stamps Scholars Program Foundation. The questionnaire link is available in the Handshake posting.
- A letter of recommendation from a UChicago faculty, staff member, or UChicago-affiliated expert in a relevant field who can attest to the applicant's character, the viability of their proposed project(s), and their academic, extracurricular, or professional performance.
Recommenders can submit their letters using this form. Letters are due by the application deadline. - A completed Stamps Scholars Mentor Form from a UChicago faculty, staff member, or UChicago-affiliated expert in a relevant field who has agreed to serve as the student’s mentor for their proposed project from the student's statement of purpose. This can be the same faculty or staff member who is writing the recommendation on behalf of the student but does not need to be. Mentors can submit the agreement form here.
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Campus Interview Component
Following application review, select candidates will be invited to move forward in the selection process to participate in a virtual interview component, completing several interview questions through the Big Interview platform. Candidates selected for this component of the process will receive specific instructions and guidance via email.
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Interview with the Stamps Scholars Program
The application review committee will nominate a select number of candidates for an interview with the Stamps Scholars Program staff.
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Application Material Reviews
Students should direct all requests for application reviews to Career Advancement. For a review of your application materials, please schedule an appointment with a Career Advancement adviser through UChicago Handshake. For appointment type, select "General Career Advising" and then "Application Review."
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Information Sharing Notice
By applying to the program, you give the University of Chicago permission to share all information you provide in your application with the Stamps Scholars Program.
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Stamps Scholar Benefits and Responsibilities
Recipients are expected to participate in Stamps Scholars programming both at UChicago and with the national Stamps Scholars network, including:
- New Stamps Scholars Orientation and Welcome Reception in Spring 2026
- Quarterly programs and discussion seminars during the academic year
Information Sessions
Join us for an information session to learn more about the Stamps Scholars Program, the application process, and program structure. Hear from current Stamp Scholars about how they utilize the Stamps Scholars Program to expand their networks, hone their research skills, and explore their personal academic passions.
There will be four information sessions, all with identical content:
- Tuesday, November 18 - 12:00-1:00 PM (Room 203 - Ida Noyes Hall)
- Wednesday, November 19 - 12:00-1:00 PM (Virtual)
- Tuesday, December 2 - 5:00-6:00 PM (Room 203 - Ida Noyes Hall)
- Wednesday, January 14 - 12:00-1:00 PM (Virtual)
Questions?
Please contact Mark Summerside at summerside@uchicago.edu with questions about the Stamps Scholars Program.