Scholar Scope - February Issue

February Issue

In this Scholar Scope Newsletter:

• Torchlight: Open Applications Supported by AHF
• Save the Date: Upcoming Events
• Final Call: Upcoming Dates & Deadlines
• Campus Connect

Open Applications Supported by AHF

USC Africa Student Fund

The USC Africa Student Fund is a scholarship intended to support undergraduate student travel to African countries for study, research, service-based learning and internships. Students who have identified a project or program are invited to apply with this funding in mind. Winners may receive up to $2,000 to help cover airfare costs associated with their proposed project or program.

During this application cycle, we will only review requests for Summer and Fall travel.

To learn more, visit USC Africa Student Fund

Join Us for our Signature Events

• The Undergraduate Writers’ Conference is a campus-wide celebration of undergraduate writing, hosted by USC’s Office of Academic Programs in partnership with The Writing Program. Open to students from every major and discipline, the conference is a place to share bold ideas, showcase standout work, and connect with peers and faculty who care about writing.

• Students can take part in the conference in two ways. Those who want to be considered for prizes may enter the prize competition by submitting one piece of writing that represents their strongest work. To remain eligible for prize consideration, students must attend at least two conference sessions in addition to the awards ceremony.

  Students who do not wish to enter the prize competition are still encouraged to register and attend conference sessions to learn, connect, and celebrate undergraduate writing.

• To apply for the prize competiton, click HERE
  • Deadline to apply is Sunday, March 8, 2026
• ​​​​To register for the conference, please check back the week of March 23, 2026

• The Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work provides students with the opportunity to exhibit and share examples of their significant research and creative work with the university community. Students may present work in a variety of ways, such as through poster presentations, art exhibitions, and electronic media. 

• Registration for the Undergraduate Symposium will open the week of February 23, 2026. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Week of February 23: Research Symposium Registration OPENS
• Sunday, March 8: Undergraduate Writers' Conference: Prize Competition DEADLINE
• Sunday, March 15: Africa Student Fund (Summer and Fall travel) DEADLINE
• Week of March 23: Undergraduate Writers' Conference: Registration OPENS

Campus Connect

• Undergraduates entering their third year in Fall 2026 are invited to apply for the USC Warren Bennis Scholars Program, an academic and experiential leadership opportunity offered by the Marshall School of Business and open to students across all majors. Designed for emerging leaders in every discipline, not only business, the program equips students with the skills, insight, and perspective to create meaningful impact throughout their careers.
• Each year, 40 juniors and seniors from across USC are selected to engage in study, practice, and reflection focused on leadership development. Like other distinguished USC scholars, Bennis Scholars are recognized at graduation and receive a special designation on their transcripts.
• The program seeks students who have demonstrated leadership experience, strong academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to making a difference locally and globally.
• Program components include participation in a one-unit Honors Colloquium during each of the final four semesters, leadership skills-building workshops, individualized coaching and mentoring, and guest speakers and networking opportunities.

• Samvid Scholars is a merit-based graduate scholarship program. They empower mission-driven graduate students with exceptional track records of impact to drive transformative change for society through leadership development, community, and financial support.
• An eligible candidate will:
  • Pursue a full-time graduate program of 2 years or longer at a university in the United States, in one of the following eligible programs: MD, MBA, JD, MPP/MPA, MPH, or MS/MA in the social sciences or STEM
  • Be a first-year graduate student for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • Have an undergrad GPA of at least 3.50
  • Be a U.S. Citzen or DACA recipient
• Applications Close Sunday, April 12 at 11:59 PM (ET)

Quick Links & Resources

• View our Advising Portfolio: A curated list of the awards and opportunities supported by USC Academic Honors & Fellowships
• USC Awards and Fellowships Database: Filter by degree, demographic, and discipline to identify additional internal and external funding opportunities