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Wayne Morse Scholars
Informed Debate - Community - Social Justice
The Wayne Morse Scholars program is for UO undergrads from any background or major. It provides skills building, service learning, and leadership training to students interested in public affairs and community engagement.
Any current UO student or transfer student who can commit to at least two (2) years, including senior year, as an undergraduate in the program is eligible to apply.
The application portal for the 2026-2027 cohort of Wayne Morse Scholars will open on May 1, 2026.
The final submission deadline is May 31, 2026, by midnight Pacific time.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, as capacity allows.
What you can do now to prepare for application:
1) Secure an electronic version of your transcript for upload.
2) Think about a public policy or social issue you care about deeply; there is a question about that in the application.
3) Identify two people to serve as references; at least one needs to be a professor or community college instructor. A high school teacher will suffice for first year students who have not yet developed a connection with a professor.
Please click on the link to Frequently Asked Questions below and scroll to the bottom question to learn more about what is expected of references and the process for submission of their comments.
What Scholars do
Tackle big questions of democracy and governance.
Special seminars PS351: Democratic Dilemmas and PS408: Democracy in Practice. Monthly lunch gatherings to discuss compelling topics ranging from campus and local issues to national and global challenges (free food!)
Explore forms of political engagement.
Annual field trips to Salem, Portland, and other sites to watch the political process and public policy in action
Participate in praxis in real-world settings.
Internships and applied research for upper-level scholars, with modest funding to support them
Develop leadership skills.
Hands-on workshops and training sessions to prepare for the job world and to explore varied leadership styles
Connect with prominent scholars and elected officials.
Share a meal or conversation with invited speakers including: elected officials, public scholars, and movement leaders
Join a community of students committed to service and justice.
Fun social events and service days
Scholars by the numbers
Current Wayne Morse Scholars
Give to the Scholars Program
Your gift will help Wayne Morse Scholars reach their maximum potential. With the help of our generous donors, Wayne Morse Scholars are able to participate in field trips, internships, and valuable leadership workshops, and other experiences that encourage their development into well-informed and seasoned leaders.