International Relations is now accepting applications for the Cluff Scholarship on Energy and International Relations. The scholarship awards up to $1500 to assist students in completing research projects or accepting summer unpaid internship positions.

Eligible topics are defined broadly, and could range from environmental issues to traditional foreign policy debates focused on Eurasia. In order to qualify for funding the internship or project must be an academically approved activity. The application must include a concise proposal letter of outlining the internship or research project. If you are applying for internship funding you must include where you will be working, the number of weeks and hours per week you will be working, and a job description. If you are applying for research funding you must create a research proposal identifying your research question, and you research methods. Please see below for complete eligibility and application requirements.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • GPA of 3.4 or higher
  • Must be either a INCO, IR, IRGB, or IRGE major
  • Recipients must be registered in Spring 2026
  • Must have completed IR 210, and at least one other IR 200-level methods course
  • The internship or research must be completed before the student graduates from USC Dornsife.

Application procedure:

Applications open: October 24, 2025
Deadline: November 7, 2025 at 11:59pm PST

Students should complete the Application Form and submit the following as a single PDF to Akeya Harmon-Collins (akeyahar@usc.edu):

  1. An updated CV or resumé that is tailored to this award.
  2. A research or internship proposal, including if you have applied to other funding resources.
    • Internship Proposal: Identify the sponsoring organization, its mission, its address, the name and contact information for the intern’s supervisor, the nature of the intern’s work, the number of weeks and hours per week, and why it would be valuable to hold this internship.
    • Research Proposal: Identify the research question and methods used to answer the question. Detail how you will use funding to complete your research. Please include the number of number of weeks and hours per week, and why it would be value to fund your research.
  3. A budget showing living expenses for the internship period and travel to and from the site.
  4. A STARS report.
  5. Contact information for a USC Faculty member who you’ve asked for a recommendation.

For students applying for Internship support

In order to disburse the award, POIR will require a letter from the organization offering the internship to the student for the specified period. This letter should also agree to provide POIR with a simple report on the student’s work at the end of the internship.

You may submit an application that contains all of the materials except this letter and provide the letter if the grant is approved and you decide to accept it.