This page highlights the requirements for scholarship opportunities offered by the Lou Frey Institute in the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs of the College of Sciences. As part of our work around civic education and engagement, we hope to encourage students at the University of Central Florida to explore opportunities for research, learning, and growth in their understanding of civics, civic education, and political science. All scholarships described on this page align with the mission and goals of the Lou Frey Institute and our namesake, Congressman Lou Frey.
Please note that these awards are for students in the School majoring in political science or in the College of Community Education and Innovation majoring in social science education.
Questions about these scholarships can be directed to Lou Frey Institute Director, Dr. Steve Masyada.
Lou Frey Institute Undergraduate Political Science Scholarship
Number of Scholarships:
Three
Amount:
$2,000.00/yr, renewable for a second year if funding permits
Who Can Apply:
Political Science or International and Global Studies majors in the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs with Junior or Senior standing, enrolled full time, and have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA.
Requirements for Consideration for This Award:
The rubric for these requirements is here.
- Completion of essay prompt: What, in your view, is the meaning of the phrase ‘good citizenship’? How does the study of political science in general and your focus in particular contribute to how you define good citizenship? In your response of 2-4 pages (550-1200 words), be sure to clearly define your meaning and understanding of good citizenship, explain your focus in political science, and how political science as a field contributes to good citizenship and civic life, with relevant citations. APA format (7th ed.) is expected.
- Applicants must also include a recorded presentation of 3-5 slides that summarize their response to the prompt.
- Cover letter (double spaced) explaining interest and goals within the major, how interest and goals align with the mission of the Lou Frey Institute, and how this award will help.
Additional Information:
This award covers one academic year, for a maximum of $2000.00. It is renewable for a second year. To be considered for a second year, students must:
- Maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and 3.7 GPA in the major
- Maintain a minimum enrollment of 12 hours with Junior or Senior standing
- Write a 1-2 page essay explaining how this award supported their learning in the initial award year and how it will do so in the second award year.
Scholarship awards will be determined by a committee made up of Lou Frey Institute staff and potentially board members based on submitted materials and provided rubrics.
Lou Frey Institute Graduate Political Science Research Fellowship (PhD)
Number of Fellowships:
One
Amount:
$2,500.00/yr, renewable for a second year if funding permits
Who Can Apply:
Students in the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs enrolled full time in the Security Studies PhD program with a minimum 3.7 cumulative GPA.
Requirements for Consideration for This Award:
The rubric for these requirements is here.
- Letter of interest (double spaced) explaining motivation for application and why their work matters in civic life.
- 2-3 page (550-900 words) research proposal (or dissertation proposal) explaining how this research aligns with the civic education and civic engagement mission of the Lou Frey Institute; Example: Challenges and issues to US civic life; concerns about democracy and democratic education; the meaning of constitutional republicanism.
Note: If the student is providing their dissertation proposal instead of a 2-3 page research proposal, they will need to clearly highlight its relevance to Lou Frey Institute mission and goals. A dissertation proposal may exceed the 3 page/900 word maximum. APA format (7th ed.) is expected. Relevant citations should be included. - Clear budget and budget narrative that explains how the applicant will spend money and its allocation for Year 1 and a possible Year 2 of award.
Additional Information:
This award covers one academic year, for a maximum of $2500.00. It is renewable for a second year. To be considered for a second year, students must:
- Maintain a minimum 3.7 GPA in the major
- Maintain a minimum enrollment of 9 hours
- Provide evidence from committee chair of progress with research proposal or dissertation.
Scholarship awards will be determined by a committee made up of Lou Frey Institute staff and potentially board members based on submitted materials and provided rubrics.
Lou Frey Institute Graduate Political Science Research Award (Masters Degree)
Number of Scholarships:
One
Amount:
$500.00/yr, renewable for a second year if funding permits
Who Can Apply:
Students in the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs enrolled in a Political Science Masters program, for a minimum of 6 hours, with a minimum 3.7 cumulative GPA.
Requirements for Consideration for This Award:
The rubric for these requirements is here.
- Letter of interest (double spaced) explaining motivation for application and why their work matters in civic life.
- 2-3 page research proposal, thesis proposal, or capstone project explaining how this research aligns with the civic education and civic engagement mission of the Lou Frey Institute; Example: Challenges and issues to US civic life; concerns about democracy and democratic education; the meaning of constitutional republicanism.
Note: If the student is providing their thesis or capstone project proposal instead of a 2-3 page research proposal, they will need to clearly highlight its relevance to Lou Frey Institute mission and goals. A thesis or capstone project proposal may exceed the 3 page/900 word maximum. APA format (7th ed.) is expected. Relevant citations should be included. - Clear budget and budget narrative that explains how the applicant will spend money and its allocation for Year 1 and a possible Year 2 of award.
Additional Information:
This award covers one academic year, for a maximum of $500.00. It is renewable for a second year. To be considered for a second year, students must:
- Maintain a minimum 3.7 GPA in the major
- Maintain a minimum enrollment of 6 hours
- Provide evidence from committee chair or faculty advisor of progress with research proposal, thesis, or capstone project
Scholarship awards will be determined by a committee made up of Lou Frey Institute staff and potentially board members based on submitted materials and provided rubrics.
Lou Frey Institute Undergraduate Social Science Education Scholarship
Number of Scholarships:
One
Amount:
$2,000.00/yr, renewable for a second year if funding permits
Who Can Apply:
Social Science majors in the College of Community Education and Innovation with Junior or Senior standing, enrolled full time, with a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and a 3.7 GPA in the major.
Requirements for Consideration for This Award:
The rubric for these requirements is here.
- Letter of interest (double spaced) explaining how this award will support writing their honors undergraduate thesis involving civic education/civic engagement at the K-12 level and how this aligns with the mission of the Lou Frey Institute.
- Completion of essay prompt: What, in your view, is the meaning of the phrase ‘good citizenship’? If we were to educate young people on good citizenship as you have chosen to define it, what does that education generally look like, from kindergarten through college? In your response of 2-4 pages (550-1200 words), be sure to clearly define your meaning and understanding of good citizenship, explain how you would approach it, and predict the impact that your approach might have on American civic life. Use relevant citations. APA format (7th ed.) is expected.
- Applicants must also include a recorded presentation of 3-5 slides that summarize their response to the prompt.
- Abstract of 300 words describing an Honors Undergraduate Thesis around civic education and/or civic engagement at the K-12 level. Include a short statement (not counted in word count) how this thesis may contribute to the mission of the Lou Frey Institute. Citations must be provided and will not contribute to the word count. APA format (7th ed.) is expected.
Additional Information:
This award covers one academic year, for a maximum of $2000.00. It is renewable for a second year. To be considered for a second year, students must:
- Maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and 3.7 GPA in the major
- Maintain a minimum enrollment of 12 hours with Junior or Senior standing
- Provide evidence from committee chair or faculty advisor of progress on Honors Undergraduate Thesis
Scholarship awards will be determined by a committee made up of Lou Frey Institute staff and potentially board members based on submitted materials and provided rubrics.