Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships

Description: The Program is open to individuals who retain loyalty and a sense of commitment to their country of origin as well as the United States, but is intended to support individuals who will continue to regard the United States as their principle residence and focus on national identity. Candidate must demonstrate the relevance of graduate education to their long-term career goals and potential in enhancing their contributions to society. Fellowships are not solely awarded on the basis of academic record. The academic record is relevant as evidence of the candidate's availability to complete successfully a graduate degree program and it strengthens the demonstration of achieving the Program's specific criteria for selection.
Dollar value: Each year the Fellow receives a maintenance grant of $20,000 (paid in two installments) and a tuition grant of one-half the tuition cost of the U.S. graduate program attended by the Fellow (up to a maximum of $16,000 per academic year).
Number of Scholarships: Thirty Fellowships are awarded each year.
Eligibility:
  • A U.S. or national citizen
  • Applicants may NOT be older than 30 as of November 1 of the application year.
  • Applicants must be a college senior, or a holder of a bachelor's degree, or at present enrolled in a graduate program. Individuals who are in the third, or subsequent, year of study in the same graduate program are not, however, eligible for this competition. Students who have received a master's degree in a program and are continuing for a doctoral degree in the same program are considered to have been in the same program from the time they began their work on their master's degree.
Application Guidelines and Procedures: Applicants are required to complete an online application form and the following information: two essays on specified topics; 1-2 page resume; three letters of recommendation; institutional status form from the institution attended indicating when and whether the present degree program will be completed (this may be completed by a registrar, a dean or director of the program, or other authority); a transcript from the applicant's undergraduate institution, and if his/her graduate training is already in progress, from the graduate institution as well; documentary evidence that the applicant meets, as of November 1, 2007, the definition of New American as detailed in the answer of the second question; and score(s) from any graduate aptitude test (e.g. GMAT, MCAT, GRE, LSAT) required by programs to which the applicant has applied; candidates may submit a photocopy of the score report.
Applications are available at www.pdsoros.org. Tips and recommendations for applications can be found at www.pdsoros.org/requirements.html
Deadline: November 12, 2012
Contact:
The Paul & Daisy Fellowships for New Americans
400 West 59th Street
New York, New York 10019
Phone:212-547-6926
Fax:212-548-4623
Email: pdsoros_fellows@sorosny.org

Frequently asked questions

What are the criteria for selection for the Paul & Daisy Fellowships for New Americans?
Candidates must demonstrate the relevance of graduate education to their long-term career goals and potential in enhancing their contributions to society. Fellowships are not solely awarded on the basis of academic record. The academic record is relevant as evidence of the candidate's ability to complete successfully a graduate degree program and it strengthens the demonstration of achieving the Program's specific criteria for selection.
A successful candidate will give evidence of at least two of the following three attributes or criteria for selection: (1) creativity, originality, and initiative, demonstrated in any area of her/his life: (2) a capacity for accomplishment, demonstrated through activity that has required drive and sustained effort; and (3) a commitment to the values expressed in the IIS. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The third criterion includes activity in support of human rights and the rule of law, in opposition to unwarranted encroachment on personal liberty, and in advancing the responsibilities of citizenship in a free society.
What may a Fellow study?
A Fellow may pursue a graduate degree in any professional field (e.g., engineering, medicine, law, social work, etc.) or scholarly discipline in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. The Fine and Performing Arts are included. The Trustees strongly encourage applications from candidates who have not yet begun their graduate studies, but full consideration will be given to candidates in the first or second years of graduate studies in their current program
Are there any limitations to where a Fellow may study?
A Fellow may study at any accredited graduate program in the United States. It is the responsibility of the Fellow to secure admission.
When does the Fellowship Program begin? May a Fellowship be deferred?
The application and selection process will take place in the late fall and winter, and Fellows will be expected to begin their graduate study no later than the following September. Successful Fellows already undertaking graduate work may be supported during the semester they are selected. A Fellowship can not be deferred.
Where may an application be obtained?
Applications are available on our website (www.pdsoros.org) and should be submitted via the Online Application System. Application can also be downloaded from our website and submitted by mail.
What is the selection process?
After screening, 84 candidates will be selected for interviews. The interviewers will be distinguished New Americans. The Program will provide funding for travel and accommodations. After its recommendations have been reviewed and approved by the Program's Board of Trustees, the class of Fellows will be announced in February. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply if they continue to meet the program requirements.
What are the responsibilities of a Fellow?
A Fellow must obtain admission into a graduate academic program. Upon admission and matriculation, a Fellow must show continued progress towards the degree (i.e., a transcript must be submitted after each academic year of the Fellowship) and provide a final report to the Program Director. A Fellow's attendance at graduate school must be continuous and at the same institution; any modification requires approval of the Program Director. A Fellow is required to attend a Fellows' Conference Program of two days in New York City twice during the tenure of the award. The Program pays for all costs associated with the Fellows' Conference Program. Fellows will be given ample advance notice of the dates and locations of the Conference programs.