Carnegie Mellon University
Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholar Development  ›  National and International Fellowships and Scholarships  ›  Jennings Scholarship for Study Abroad

Jennings Family Brave Companions Fund

Application Deadline for Summer 2025: Friday, February 14, 2025 (11:59 PM, EST)

The Jennings Family Brave Companions Fund provides up to $6,000 to eligible Carnegie Mellon undergraduates enrolled in formal study, research, or service abroad programs during the summer. 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Full-time undergraduates pursuing a degree-granting program
  • Open to all majors
  • U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • Non-graduating undergraduate students
  • QPA of no less than 2.5
  • Enrolled in, or pursuing enrollment in, a formal summer study abroad program of at least four weeks (28+ days) in duration (independently designed study abroad experiences are not eligible)

Preference is given to students who:

  • are pursuing study abroad programs in emerging countries (i.e., low- and middle-income countries and/or countries traditionally underrepresented in study abroad)
  • have overcome obstacles such as socioeconomic or educational disadvantage or disabilities
  • have demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of groups that are historically underrepresented at the University, including African American, Native American or Hispanic students, and/or are the first generation in their family to attend college
  • have demonstrated financial need
  • have not previously had a study or travel abroad experience

Core Components

Students must meet with a representative of the Office of International Education (OIE) to find and apply for TWO choices for a formal summer abroad program.  Independent or self-designed experiences abroad that are not attached to an organized study abroad program are not eligible. Contact Chris Menand to make an appointment before the end of January.

  • Awardees must complete a service-based or research-based follow-on project upon completion of their study abroad program, as outlined in their initial application.  Awardees will meet with Richelle Bernazzoli, Director of Undergraduate Research and Scholar Development, prior to the start of their study abroad to discuss their project idea. 
  • Awardees must attend a Pre-Departure Orientation Session hosted by the Office of International Education and complete all of the pre-departure registration materials before departing campus. Scholarship funds will not be released until this requirement has been met.
  • Awardees will complete the study abroad-based research or service follow-on project by Spring semester, 2026
  • Awardees pursuing research-based follow-on projects will present at the annual research symposium, Meeting of the Minds, in May 2026
  • Awardees will submit a detailed Experience Report by October 1st to the OURSD (including pictures, reflections on the experience and descriptions) to be shared with the donor be published on the OURSD website
  • Awardees will participate in various events sponsored by the OIE and OURSD
  • Awardees will sign a Letter of Agreement

We strongly advise students to apply for additional funding, above the Jennings stipend, to help pay for travel and living costs.  These include:
Tartans Abroad
CIT Travel Grant (open only to CIT students)



 

How to Apply

Application FAQs

Former Jennings Award Winners

Donor Background

Carnegie Mellon University is proud to host a fund from Larry E. Jennings Jr. and Katherine Jennings to establish the Jennings Family Brave Companions Fund.  The name and spirit behind the fund were drawn from the book, Brave Companions, written by Pittsburgh’s acclaimed writer, David McCollough.  The stories included in the book are about forging ahead and finding success despite obstacles, naysayers, and uncertainty.

Larry Jennings received his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and economics from the Mellon College of Science in 1984 and his master’s degree from the Tepper School of Business in 1987 where he concentrated in finance and strategy.  Larry and Katherine have a strong sense of commitment to their community and have been active with, and supportive of, many community endeavors in Baltimore.  Larry and his youngest daughter, June, returned from a trip to India inspiring him to create the Jennings Family Brave Companions Fund to provide students the opportunity to experience the culture and socio-economic issues facing an emerging country and who otherwise might be unable to travel to such a destination due to personal financial constraints.

The donor’s primary goal in establishing this fund is to allow students to travel to emerging countries (i.e., low- and middle-income countries and/or countries traditionally underrepresented in study abroad) during their summer breaks, to study, travel, conduct research, and/or participate in service work.