World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) Student Scholars Program 2026

The World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) Student Scholars Program is a great chance for undergraduate students to learn more about global affairs. This program helps students connect with leaders and organizations in Washington, D.C. It offers a unique look into international relations and can help shape a student’s future career path.

Key Takeaways

• The WACA Student Scholars Program helps undergraduate students learn about global affairs by connecting them with leaders in Washington, D.C.
• Selected students attend the National Conference and visit important places like think tanks and embassies.
• Each local Council can nominate one undergraduate student aged 18 or older who attends a local college.
• To apply, you need to be nominated by a local Council and then complete an online application with a resume and a letter of intent.

About the WACA Student Scholars Program

The WACA Student Scholars Program started in 2010. It is made possible by the Malú and Carlos Alvarez Family. Each year, 25 undergraduate students from local Council communities are chosen to attend the National Conference. WACA covers the costs for these students to attend the conference, including their travel, room, and board.

While in Washington, D.C., the students also get to participate in Scholar Day. This special day includes visits to important places like think tanks, embassies, and international organizations. These experiences help students explore their interests in global affairs and plan their next steps in education and careers.

What Students Receive

WACA gives $1,250 to the local Council that chooses the student. This money helps pay for the student’s travel and lodging. The local Council is responsible for booking the travel and hotel. Students must attend all three days of the National Conference. WACA helps Councils find roommates for the students to share costs.

Who Can Apply

Each local Council can pick one undergraduate student. The student must be 18 years or older and attend a local college or university. A Council cannot nominate more than one student.

WACA wants to reach more students, so they ask local Councils to share this opportunity widely. If there are many good applicants, preference may be given to students who have not been very involved with the local Council before.

The following people cannot apply:

• High school students
• Graduate students
• College students who live in the Washington, D.C. area
• Students who were nominated before but not chosen

How to Apply

First, a local Council chooses a student to nominate. Then, the Council must send in:

• An online nomination form.
• A letter of recommendation from a professor or another professional. This letter should talk about how prepared the student is and why they would benefit from this chance.

The student needs to make sure the recommender sends the letter to the Council on time.

After being nominated, the student must fill out their own application. They need to submit:

• An online application form.
• A current resume.
• A Letter of Intent, which should be 1 to 2 pages long. This letter explains why the student wants to be part of the program.

The WACA national office will review the nominated students. They will work with the WACA Board of Directors to make the final choices. Students will be told if they were selected about two weeks after the application deadline. As part of the program, Student Scholars must write a short review of their experience within two weeks after the National Conference ends.

For more details, you can visit the official WACA Student Scholars Program website.

How to Apply

To apply for the WACA Student Scholars Program, you first need to be nominated by a local World Affairs Council. If you are selected by your local Council, you will then need to complete an online application.

• Nomination Form: Submit your nomination here
• Student Application Form: Apply as a nominated student here

The deadline to apply is September 25, 2026.

Conclusion

The WACA Student Scholars Program offers a valuable opportunity for undergraduate students interested in global affairs. By covering conference costs and providing exclusive access to D.C. organizations, WACA helps students build connections and gain insights that can guide their future academic and professional journeys. If you are an undergraduate student with a passion for international relations, talk to your local World Affairs Council about this exciting program.

Frequently Asked Questions