Overview

The US-Ireland Alliance is a proactive, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to consolidating existing relations between the United States and Ireland--North and South--and building that relationship for the future. The Alliance has established the George J. Mitchell Scholarships to educate future American leaders about the island of Ireland--North and South--and to provide them with an understanding of, an interest in, and an affinity with, the island from which 44 million Americans claim descent. Endowed by the government of Ireland and named in honor of the former Senator's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, these Scholarships will allow American post-graduates to pursue one year of study at institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Eligibility

Applicants for the Mitchell Scholarships must by U.S. citizens, aged eighteen or over but not yet thirty on October 1 in the year of application. They must have academic standing sufficient to assure completion of a Bachelor's degree before they begin study under the Mitchell Scholarship. In addition, applicants are required to secure the formal endorsement of a university or college where they will have completed two years of full-time study before October 1 of the year of application. It is preferred that applicants in their first year of graduate study receive an endorsement from the undergraduate institution from which they graduated. If applicants are not attending university at the time of application, no institutional endorsement is required.

Criteria

Senator Mitchell's life and career have embodied a deep commitment to public service. Under his leadership, a historic accord, ending decades of conflict, was signed by the governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom and the political parties of Northern Ireland. In May 1998, the agreement was overwhelmingly endorsed by the voters of Ireland in a referendum. Senator Mitchell's leadership earned him worldwide praise and a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. His commitment to serve community and country, along with his personal characteristics, are the qualities the US-Ireland Alliance seeks in Mitchell Scholars. Therefore, prospective scholars must have a demonstrated record of intellectual distinction, leadership, and extra-curricular activity, as well as personal characteristics of honesty, integrity, fairness, and unselfish service to others, which indicate a potential for future leadership and contribution to society. There are no restrictions as to academic field of study though the proposed course of study must be available at the university elected by the applicant and the applicant's undergraduate program must provide sufficient basis for study in the proposed field.

Application Process

To be considered for endorsement by Boston University, a copy of the online application must be submitted to the Boston University Office of the Provost, One Sherborn Street, 8th floor, no later than Friday, September 10. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications are available online at: http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/scholarships.html. A complete application consists of the following materials:

• A copy of the online application,signed in ink.
• The applicant's college transcript.
• A statement of principal activities and honors in college (including prizes, scholarships, offices held, extracurricular interests and substantial activities) with dates. This must not exceed two pages in length, and should be set in a typeface no smaller than 10 points.
• A signed short personal statement describing the applicant's academic and other interests. This statement should describe the specific area of proposed study and reason for an interest in study at the Irish or Northern Ireland institution. The statement must conclude with the following signed statement: "I certify that this essay is my own work." (This personal essay must not exceed 1,000 words in length and should be written in as simple and direct manner as possible. It should be set in a typeface no smaller than 10 points. The selection committee will place special emphasis on this personal essay. If endorsed by Boston University, this will be submitted as part of the online application.

In addition, applicants are required to submit online the names and full addresses of at least five, but no more than eight, persons who have agreed to electronically submit letters of recommendation. No fewer than four of these must be persons under whom the applicant has done academic work. Initially, etters should be sent to the Office of the Provost at One Sherborn Street, 8th floor by the early September deadline. You should advise the individuals from whom you are requesting letters of recommendation that if you are endorsed by Boston University, they will be asked to submit electronic copies of their letters directly to the US-Ireland Alliance.

If endorsed by Boston University, you will need to send (in addition to your online application) ONE photocopy of a birth certificate, passport, or other proof of age and citizenship, TEN copies of your college transcipt, and TEN copies of an unmounted head and shoulders photograph (glossy prints not less than 2" x 3") with your signature on the back of each. The photographs will be taken by a Boston University photographer.

A preliminary elimination will be made on the basis of credentials. A selection committee will determine — based on the students' academic transcripts, essay, and references — which remaining applicants will be invited to Washington, D.C. for an interview before the selection committee. The US-Ireland Alliance will pay round-trip transportation for applicants invited to interview. No applicant will be selected for a Mitchell Scholarship who has not been interviewed by the selection committee and deferment of the Scholarship is not allowed.

Award Value and Conditions

The first group of Mitchell Scholars began their studies in Ireland and Northern Ireland in fall 2000. Scholars will be eligible to attend institutions of higher learning in Ireland, including the seven universities in the Republic of Ireland and the two universities in Northern Ireland, for one academic year of post-graduate study. As institutional balance will be a factor, an applicant's likelihood of being selected is increased if the applicant expresses a willingness to attend any one of several of the eligible institutions.

The Scholarship committee will seek places at the universities on the successful applicants' behalf. Election to a Mitchell Scholarship is formally confirmed by the Mitchell Scholarship selection committee after the Scholar-elect has been accepted by the university. Scholars are required to be full-time students for the duration of their academic year of study.

The universities participating in the Mitchell Scholarships are generously contributing tuition and room for the Scholar. In addition, each Scholar will receive a stipend of $11,000 to cover other necessary expenses for the term of study. This stipend will be paid in two equal parts directly to the scholar. The US-Ireland Alliance will assist successful applicants with their traveling expenses to and from Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Usit Now, Ireland's leading travel service for students, will contribute a IR 750 travel stipend to each Mitchell Scholar. It is envisaged that the Mitchell Scholars will use the stipend not only to explore the island of Ireland but also to develop an understanding of the relationship between Ireland and Britain as well as Ireland's relationship with Europe.

As the goal of the Mitchell Scholarships is to interest the next generation of American leaders in the island of Ireland, Scholars will be encouraged to avail themselves of the various educational and social opportunities offered to them during their stay by members and friends of the US-Ireland Alliance.

Tenure of other awards in conjunction with a Mitchell Scholarship is not permitted without prior consultation with the US-Ireland Alliance.

Information about the education system in Ireland can be found at www.MitchellScholar.org.