Our Office
Each year, Boston University students apply for a number of prestigious, nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. These fellowships may provide funding for portions of undergraduate study, for graduate study, or even for travel and/or independent research not tied to a degree program.
The Office of Fellowships & Scholarships (situated in the Office of the Provost) provides information, outreach, and support to high-achieving Boston University students who may be candidates for these nationally-competitive awards. Opportunities requiring the University’s endorsement, such as the Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, DAAD, Luce, Carnegie Jr. Fellows, Goldwater, Truman, and Udall scholarships and fellowships are supported and administered through this office. We also provide advice to students applying for prestigious competitions that do not require institutional nomination, such as the Gates Cambridge and others.
Contacts
Jeff Berg, Director of National & International Scholarships
berg@bu.edu; 617-358-8061
Schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/berg_bu
As the director, I work with undergraduate and graduate students across BU’s schools and colleges who are considering the wide range of opportunities available through our office. Students: I invite you to visit me here on the 5th floor of the GSU to explore your interests and how they might align with the many fellowships and scholarships we support and administer. I look forward to meeting you and guiding you through the rewarding and fulfilling process of applying for these competitive awards. Please don’t hesitate to stop by, call, or write.
About
I am delighted to be a part of BU’s thriving community of students, scholars, and staff and to share my excitement for this work. Before arriving at BU in 2017, I spent many years advising students and working closely with faculty at Harvard’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. I also served as a Title IX Coordinator for undergraduates and earlier in my career, I spent several years providing program oversight and advising in the Department of English.
I am a proud Terrier alum with a Master’s degree in Higher Education Policy, Planning, and Administration from BU’s School of Education. I enjoyed my undergraduate years at Bates College in Maine, where I studied English.
Nischwethaa Rajkanth, Administrative Coordinator
In her role as Administrative Coordinator for Undergraduate Affairs, Nischwethaa supports the Academic Assessment team, the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships, and the Trustee Scholars program.
Before joining the Undergraduate Affairs team, Nischwethaa cultivated her professional interests through a variety of impactful roles. She served as a Research Assistant at the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Aging and Population Health, an online English Tutor at Ringle, and also a Lab Manager at BU’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Nischwethaa graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Music. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health with a focus in Epidemiology & Biostatistics here at Boston University.
Nischwethaa aims to leverage her background in STEM research and higher education administration to improve health equity and access to education. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys drawing and painting, exploring the Boston cafe scene, and playing pickleball!
Emily McKerrow, Administrative Coordinator
Emily is an administrative coordinator within the Undergraduate Affairs Department. She works with the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships, Global House, and the Trustees Scholars program.
Prior to joining the Experiential Learning team at BU, Emily served in various positions as an undergraduate at Brandeis University and at the Maria Mitchell Association on Nantucket. As an undergraduate student at Brandeis University, she was an Undergraduate Peer Advisor for the Office of Study abroad, Undergraduate Representative for the Hispanic Studies Department, and Event Coordinator for Upward Bound. At the Maria Mitchell Association she filled various positions at the organization starting off as the Events and Development Intern for two summers to later become the organization’s Gift Shop Manager and Development Associate. Emily graduated from Brandeis University in 2024 with a B.A in Environmental Studies and Hispanic Studies with a minor in Latin American, Latinx, and Caribbean studies.
She’s excited to be a part of the team at BU and would like to peruse a master’s degree in public relations. In her free time, she enjoys going to arts and crafts, Pilates classes, seeing her friends, and cooking!
For Boston University students and alumni:
General queries can be sent to: bufellow@bu.edu
Follow us on instagram @bu_studentsucces to stay up to date on everything happening in our office.
For scholarships requiring official institutional endorsement, an internal application must be submitted to the office by a deadline that may be several months before the national scholarship deadline. Applicants will often be interviewed in order for the Provost’s Office to prepare the letter of nomination, or in case the number of nominees is limited, as part of the internal selection process.
Many other opportunities exist and may be available through Deans’ offices, department offices, and the Office of Financial Assistance.
Undergraduate research opportunities are announced by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
For Boston University Faculty:
Faculty opportunities are announced through the Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Research.
For Incoming or Prospective Students:
Boston University’s Office of Financial Assistance or your department of study can provide advice.