Frank Fund Scholarship
About the Mayme and Herb Frank Scholarship
Through the generous endowment established by Herb and Mayme Frank, the Frank Educational Trust continues to make a vital contribution to advancing education on the federal principles. Administered by the Association to Unite the Democracies (AUD), in collaboration with the Streit Council for a Union of Democracies, Inc. and the Ashburn Institute, the Trust awards scholarships and grants aimed at exploring the federal principle and its applications in promoting freedom and peace.
Mayme and Herb Frank were not only devoted educators and also lifelong supporters of AUD’s mission. They realized the importance of ensuring ongoing education of future generations in the ideas they shared as active members of the organization. Herb Frank wrote extensively about the idea of a federal union of democracies and about Clarence Streit’s federalism as a scalable framework for uniting individuals and nations on a voluntary basis.
Following Herbert’s passing, Mayme Frank resolved to allocate their hard-earned life savings to realize their common vision. Thus, the Mayme and Herbert Frank Educational Trust was established in 1989 with the principal aim of supporting studies of the federal principle and its use to advance freedom and peace beyond national borders.
Since its inception in 1991, the Trust has awarded more than 200 scholarships, facilitating educational opportunities and contributing to the advancement of freedom, unity, peace, and democracy through federalism. The enduring legacy of the Franks is reflected in the accomplishments of the scholars who have benefited from their generosity and vision. Under the stewardship of AUD, the Trust continues to oversee and distribute resources to deserving individuals.
Scholarships and grants are open to both U.S. and international students engaged in research and education on federalism and its scalable applications to achieving peace with freedom.
The Trust stands as a testament the Franks’ unwavering dedication to education in federalism, encapsulating their belief in its transformative potential to shape a more unified, free and peaceful world.
How to Apply
Eligibility
To qualify, applicants must meet the following educational and research requirements:
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Educational Background:
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Hold an undergraduate degree in political science, history, philosophy, international relations or a related field; or
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Be currently enrolled in a graduate program (master’s or doctoral level) in political science, history, philosophy, international relations, or a related field; or Hold a Ph.D. in political science, history, international relations, or a related field.
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*Recent Graduates: Those who completed their undergraduate degree within the last 5 years are eligible, provided their recent writings and professional work aligns with the scholarship’s purpose.
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Project Focus:
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The proposed activity must directly relate to the “federal principle and its best use to promote freedom and peace” (through research, internships developing educational content, or participation in conferences and other scholarly activities).
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Application Requirements
To apply, applicants must submit
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Project Proposal: A detailed plan (max 1,500 words) including:
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Objectives and their connection to the “federal principle and its best use to promote freedom and peace”
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Curriculum Vitae (CV): Outlining relevant academic and professional experience.
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Academic Transcripts: Official records from your undergraduate or graduate institution.
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Letters of Recommendation: Two letters from academic or relevant professional references familiar with your work.
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Recent Writings: While prior work in federalism is not required, including recent writings (e.g., articles, essays, or blog posts) on the topic is preferred to demonstrate engagement.
Submissions and Selection Criteria
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Applications are judged on relevance to the “federal principle,” feasibility, potential impact, and applicant qualifications.
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The Frank Fund Scholarship sponsors studies in the areas described above. Scholarships under Streit Council auspices are provided on an ongoing basis. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
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Inquiries and complete applications should be sent by email to applications@streitcouncil.org with the subject line "Frank Fund Scholarship."
Current and Recent Frank Fund Fellows
Pranav Kaginele, awarded 2025
Pranav Kaginele is a Master’s student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, focusing on Governance, Politics, and Society in an accelerated BA/MA program. His previous graduate and undergraduate research concerns international institutions and governance, nuclear strategy, and great-power competition. His undergraduate thesis research is on post-nuclear politics, exploring global governance in the aftermath of nuclear use. He currently works at a risk advisory firm focusing on geopolitical issues. As a Frank Fund Fellow with the Streit Council, he is researching models of “federal-union” as an institutional form of interstate cooperation, and building out an intellectual history for the tradition.
Matt Risser, awarded 2025
Matt Risser is a doctoral student in the political science department at Johns Hopkins University. He has previous professional experience across government, politics, consulting, and the not-for-profit sector. His academic work focuses on the intersection between republicanism (i.e., the simultaneous avoidance of both anarchy and hierarchy through self-government), geopolitics (i.e., the influence of geography and technology on politics), and political economy (i.e., the interactive relations between power and wealth). In relation to the federal principle, his work explores how the connection between political self-integration and long-run economic advancement provides the proactive motive for ever-expanding federalization. In addition to his own research, as a Frank Fund Fellow with the Streit Council, he participates in the analysis of "federal union" as an institutional model, a SC collaborative program, in conjunction with other research fellows
Ryan Metz, awarded 2024; 2025
Ryan Metz is a PhD Candidate in the Department of History at the Ohio State University, researching in the field of tweneith century U.S. foregin relations history. As a Frank Fund Scholar for the Streit Council, Ryan is helping organize, digitize, and present archival materials related to Clarence Streit and Federal Union. By building online platforms that connect historical documents with contemporary audiences, Ryan advances Mayme and Herbert Frank’s mission by promoting the intellectual legacy of Streit, Federal Union Inc., and the overarching visions of twentieth-century federalists who sought to advance freedom and peace beyond national borders.
Benjamin Studebaker, awarded 2024
Benjamin Studebaker was a Frank Fund Fellow from 2024 through 2025. Benjamin received his PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge in 2020. He works on political legitimacy and is the author of two books, The Chronic Crisis of American Democracy: The Way is Shut (Palgrave, 2023), and Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies (Edinburgh University Press, 2024).
Ryan Cauwenberghs, awarded 2024
Ryan Cauwenberghs was a Frank Fund Fellow from 2024–2025. He was a Master’s student at the University of Oxford specializing in African Studies. His research focuses on Afro-Federalism and constitutional structures in sub-Saharan Africa.
Meet All of Our Alumni and Affiliates
For nearly the last two decades, the Streit Council has supported the research and intellectual projects of scholars across a variety of displaces including but not limited to International Relations, History, and Political Science. To see the full list of previous Streit Council scholars, click below
For Further Inquiry
If you are interested or have questions about the positions above, please send us a message using the submission form below.
