The Benson Center is pleased to invite applicants to the Benson Center Undergraduate Fellows Program.  The program aims to build a community of undergraduate students interested in participating in good-faith dialogs about various timely topics and who desire to learn more about the moral, economic, and political questions of our time. Students in the program have historically come from many different backgrounds and majors, which contributes to the diversity and experience of the fellows. Neither the Undergrad Fellows Program, nor the Center, have a political affiliation or viewpoint to promote; rather, the fellows program is an extension of the Center’s mission to maintain a wide range of political, economic and philosophical perspectives at CU Boulder. Financial support for the Undergraduate Fellows Program is generously provided by the John J. Wehman Scholarship Fund and the Bill Freytag Conservative Thought Fund.

The application for the 2024-25 academic year opens November 1. Applicants should fill out CU Boulder's general scholarship application. Once submitted, applicants should search for "Benson Center Undergraduate Fellows Program Scholarship" to apply. The application will close on March 15. Email bensoncenter@colorado.edu with questions.

Apply for Fall 2024 Fellows Scholarship

Applicants should be interested in the mission of the Center and be prepared to commit to at least four Center-sponsored events during the academic year. In order to qualify for the spring stipend, students should attend at least two Center events in the fall semester. The purpose of the Fellowship Program is for students to engage with one another, CU faculty, and visiting lecturers, academics, and business leaders in a way they may not necessarily have in a traditional academic setting. Student participation is therefore vital to the success and continuation of the program. In this spirit, in-person attendance is preferred for undergraduate fellows. The Center recognizes and supports the academic pursuits of undergraduate students, and we ask that students who are unable to meet this requirement in the fall semester reach out to Center staff to make alternative arrangements.  

Students who participate in the program will receive a $3,000 stipend, with $1,500 awarded in the fall semester and $1,500 awarded in the spring semester provided students actively participate in Center events as described above. In addition to the stipend, Undergraduate Fellows will be given priority for student grants such as the John J. Wehman Scholarship, Internship and Language Study Grants, financial support for CU in DC internships, and are welcome to submit individual grant requests to support research and other academic pursuits. Undergraduate Fellows can take advantage of other privileges offered by the Center, such as participating in discussions with visiting scholars, advance notice of student-focused events, and the ability to reserve space in the Center for academic purposes. 

Undergraduate fellowships can be renewed, but students must apply each year in order to be eligible. Students must be enrolled in classes in order to receive the scholarship. Students graduating in the fall term are welcome to apply for a one-semester fellowship and will receive $1,500. Incoming freshman are welcome to apply!

Interested applicants should apply by March 15, 2024. Students will be notified of the status of their application by May 1. Please direct questions to bensoncenter@colorado.edu.

The Benson Center promotes the study of the intellectual, artistic and political traditions that characterize Western Civilization. The Center offers a forum for free inquiry and supports academic freedom and intellectual diversity on campus in a time of increasing political polarization and homogeneity. The Center is organized around a diverse group of faculty and student scholars including a Center Director, Associate Faculty Director, Visiting Scholars in Conservative Thought and Policy (CTP), Scholars in Residence, Faculty Fellows, Harper Graduate Fellows, and  Undergraduate Fellows, and an ongoing series of campus seminars, lectures and programs, faculty and student grants, undergraduate classes, a summer institute and community outreach. These programs, guided by a national board of advisors and a CU faculty executive committee, provide a forum for free and open discourse across the university and the broader community. Our aim is to promote a lively and balanced conversation that respects both conservative and liberal ideals, thus fostering the full diversity of political, economic and philosophical perspectives on the CU Boulder campus and broader community, and serving as a model for other institutions. More Infomation

  • Fellows receive a $3,000 stipend for the academic year provided they are contributing to the life of the Center.

  • Fellows will be given priority for student grants such as the John J. Wehman Scholarship, Internship and Language Study Grants, financial support for CU in DC internships, and are welcome to submit individual grant requests to support research and other academic pursuits.

  • Access to visiting scholars, lecturers, and CU faculty, as well as a community of like-minded students.

  • Fellows will be invited to special Center receptions.

  • Fellows can reserve space in the Benson Center suite for academic purposes like study groups or a quiet place to study.

  • Fellows receive access to the Benson Center Library, located in the Benson Center Suite. 

  • Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate program on the CU Boulder campus. Students must be enrolled in classes in order to receive scholarship funding. Scholarships are not offered in the summer term.

  • Students are expected to actively participate in the life of the Center, which means attending Center events as their schedules allow. At the core of the mission of the Undergraduate Fellows Program is the desire to create an active student community. This means that students should expect to attend events in person more often than not, though exceptions can be made if students make prior arrangements with Center staff by emailing bensoncenter@colorado.edu.

  • Students are responsible for knowing the Center’s schedule (posted on our website) and communicating with Center affiliates if they are unable to participate as originally planned.

  • Students must submit the application before the posted deadline on the Benson Center website.

Yes, students are able and encouraged to apply for fellowship status for consecutive years.

As long as students are enrolled in courses during the semester they are fellows, students are eligible to apply for the fellowship. Seniors graduating in the fall term are eligible to receive $1,500 in the final semester of their senior year. Similiarly, spring transfer students may apply, though it is preferred students apply for the full academic year.

Most of the events hosted by the Center are livestreamed and recorded, then posted on our YouTube channel. Examples of past events can also be found in the events archive. Events are typically in the evening, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on the CU Boulder campus. Lectures are typically around 75 minutes followed by a Q&A, though the format and length of event may vary depending on the speaker.

   View More Past Events

The Benson Center faculty affiliates are responsible for organizing events at the Center. Faculty affiliates have diverse backgrounds and research interests, which results in the diversity of events and speakers at the Center. Faculty affiliates of the Center have included faculty with backgrounds in Philosophy, Economics, Law, Enviornmental Studies, Herbst Program in Engineering, Leeds School of Business, Spanish and Portuguese, and English.

The mission of the Undergraduate Fellows Program is to foster a community of undergraduate students who are interested in engaging in the mission of the Center. Because of this, students should expect to participate in events in person as much as possible. Of course, the Center understands exceptions need to be made; undergraduate fellows should reach out to Center staff if they need an exception or need to participate virtually for an event. The intent is for virtual participation to be the exception instead of the norm.