Overview

The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans are for up to two years graduate study in the professions and academic disciplines at any institution of higher learning in the United States. They provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen fields and to partake of the American dream. Fellows must have shown potential in the fields for which they seek further education; the capacity for creativity, persistence and work; and the commitment to the values of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which protect the American dream. The Program is established in recognition of the contributions New Americans have made to American life and in gratitude for the opportunities the United States has afforded the donors and their family.

Eligibility

A New American is an individual who holds a green card, has applied for naturalization, has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen, or is the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens. The definition of "applied for naturalization" includes possession of a Green Card and more than one year of IRS filings. The applicant must either have a bachelor's degree or be in his final year of undergraduate study. Those who have a bachelor's degree may already be pursuing graduate study and may receive Fellowship support to continue that study.  Graduate students may not have, however,  passed their second year of graduate study. To be eligible you must be at least twenty and not older than thirty years of age as of November 30th in the year of your application for the fellowship. A Fellow may pursue a graduate degree in any professional field or scholarly discipline in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences. The Fine and Performing Arts are included. A Fellow may study at any accredited graduate program in the United States. It is the responsibility of the Fellow to secure admission.

Criteria

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. A successful candidate will give evidence of at least two of the following three attributes:

 

• creativity, originality, and initiative, demonstrated in any area of her/his life;
• a commitment to and capacity for accomplishment, demonstrated through activity that has required drive and sustained effort; and
• a commitment to the values expressed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Application Process

Persons interested in applying for the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans can apply or obtain an application online at: http://www.pdsoros.org.

Applicants are required: 1) to complete an application form; 2) to submit two essays on specified topics; 3) to obtain a letter endorsing their application from a dean or department chairman, if they are applying to begin graduate study, or from their graduate program or department director, if they are applying to continue graduate study; 4) to assure the submission of two reference letters, of which one is from a faculty member familiar with the applicant's current or most recent academic work and one is from someone who is familiar with his performance in a work-setting, whether paid or volunteer; 5) to assure the submission of a transcript from the applicant's undergraduate institution, and if his graduate training is already in progress, from the graduate institution as well; 6) to submit documentary evidence that the applicant meets, as of November 30th of the year of application, the definition of New American; and 7) to have taken and submitted to the Fellowship Program by November 30th, scores from any graduate aptitude test (e.g., GMAT, MCAT, GRE, LSAT) required by programs to which the applicant has applied.

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans Program identifies the most qualified candidates as Finalists. Finalists are invited to New York for individual interviews. The Program provides funding for travel and accommodations. The interview panel will include educators and distinguished New Americans. After its recommendations have been reviewed and approved by the Program's Board of Trustees, the class of Fellows will be announced in February.

Award Value and Conditions

For up to two years, the Fellow receives a maintenance grant of $20,000 (paid in three installments) and a tuition grant of one-half the tuition cost of the U.S. graduate program attended by the Fellow. The Fellowship Program pays the tuition grant directly to the institution. The size of the tuition grant depends on the cost of tuition at the institution the Fellow attends. Fees are not included in calculating tuition. If the program pursued is less than two years (e.g., Public Administration), the Fellow receives the amount to cover the period required for the degree. It is expected that the Fellow will complete the cost of tuition from such other sources as summer employment, public and private grant and loan programs for advanced education, or matching funds from the graduate institution the Fellow attends. The Fellow will be asked to inform the Program of other awards that she/he has been offered and may be asked to accept a total award package that does not exceed full tuition and required fees, plus $20,000 for maintenance from The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans.

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 year of the Fellowship) and a final report to the Program Director. The Fellowship Program staff may require other evidence of progress. Continuation of the Fellowship for a third year is at the discretion of the Program Director and is contingent upon successful performance and orderly progress towards the degree. Once during the first year, a member of the Program staff will visit each Fellow at his campus. An institutional mentor associated with the Fellow's academic program will be appointed with responsibilities to assist the Fellow in his adaptation to the program and continuing performance. A Fellow's attendance at graduate school must be continuous and at the same institution; any modification requires approval of the Program Director. In addition, a Fellow is expected twice in his Fellowship to attend a Fellows Seminar Program of two days in New York City, before the first year and between the first and second years.

    Further information on the award can be obtained from the Paul and Daisy Soros Foundation.