Paul and Daisy Soros Graduate Fellowship for New Americans

see www.pdsoros.org

What is the Program and how many Fellowships for New Americans are offered?

The Fellowships are grants for up to two years of graduate study in the
United States. The recipients are chosen on a national competitive basis.
Thirty Fellowships will be awarded each year.

top

Who is eligible to become a Fellow?

A New American is an individual who (1) is a resident alien; i.e., holds a
Green Card or, (2) has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen or (3) is the
child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens. A Green Card holder
must have had more than one year of IRS filings.

The Program is open to individuals who retain loyalty and a sense of
commitment to their country of origin as well as to the United States, but
is intended to support individuals who will continue to regard the United
States as their principal residence and focus of national identity.

The applicant must either have a bachelor's degree or be in her/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. 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.

To be eligible you must not be older than thirty years of age as of November
30, 2002.


top

What are the criteria for selection?

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 commitment to
and capacity for accomplishment, demonstrated through activity that has
required drive and sustained effort; and (3) a commitment to the values
expressed in the U.S. 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.

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 commitment to
and capacity for accomplishment, demonstrated through activity that has
required drive and sustained effort; and (3) a commitment to the values
expressed in the U.S. 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.

top

What does a Fellow receive?

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. 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 may not work during the period of the Fellowship without the
permission of the Director.

top

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 Arts, 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.