Information for Applicants

• Eligibility

  Applicants must be:

  • Seniors who will have completed their undergraduate degree by the time of the beginning of the scholarship, or students currently in or planning to apply full-time to a graduate program at a US university; students who have completed a previous graduate degree are still eligible
  • Immigrants to the US or the children of immigrants: both birth parents must have been born outside the US as non-US citizens, and not have been eligible for US citizenship at the time of the applicant's birth
  • Naturalized citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, made a citizen by adoption, or granted asylum or refugee status in the US; if none of these apply you may still be eligible if you graduated from both high school and college in the US
  • If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program, you must not have begun the third year of the program you are seeking funding for as of the application deadline
  • 30 years of age or younger

   

  Who cannot apply:

  • International students (unless you meet the above eligibility requirements)
  • US citizens whose parents do not meet the above requirements
  • Students who reached or passed their 31st birthday at the time of application
  • Certain graduate programs are ineligible for funding: online and most hybrid programs; executive graduate programs; joint bachelor's/master's programs where both degrees are awarded simultaneously; post-baccalaureate programs; graduate programs not in the US; and programs that are not fully accredited

   

  For more information about eligibility requirements, visit www.pdsoros.org. 

• Additional Requirements

  Potential applicants should be in the process of applying to or have already been accepted into a graduate school program at the time of application to the fellowship. 

  Seek advising early in the application process. Schedule an advising appointment with the Soros Fellowship Campus Advisor, TBD to discuss intent to apply.

  Interview requirements:
  Campus interview: No, but highly recommended
  National interview: Yes

• Award Benefits
  • Up to $90,000 (up to $25,000/year stipend; up to $20,000/year tuition support)
  • Access to a community network and alumni association of over 700 other fellows, with family origins in over 75 countries around the world

   

  Note that if you accept an award you cannot work full-time during your graduate program. You can work part-time with permission. 

  Award cannot be deferred or renewed.

• Candidate Profile
  • Demonstrated creativity, originality, and initiative in one or more aspects of your life
  • Capacity for accomplishment that has required drive and sustained effort
  • Commitment to the values expressed in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights
  • Commitment to responsible citizenship
  • Shows promise of future significant contributions and/or becoming an influential figure in your field
  • Your proposed graduate training will enhance future creativity and accomplishment, and is relevant to your long-term career goals
• Application Procedure
  1. Find a faculty member willing to serve as as your mentor throughout the application process.
  2. Notify the Soros Fellowship Campus Advisor, TBD of your intent to apply the semester before you plan to apply for the award.
  3. Schedule an advising appointment with the Soros Fellowship Campus Advisor to discuss internal and external application processes and timelines.
  4. Register at www.pdsoros.org and start completing the application.
  5. Three letters of recommendation are required. You may also submit two more optional letters of recommendation if desired - be sure to discuss the suitability of these extra letters of recommendation with the Soros Fellowship Campus Advisor. Recommenders should be familiar with your academic experience and be able to comment in detail on your intellectual and academic achievements. They should validate and highlight your accomplishments, strengths, and qualities. Visit www.pdsoros.org for guidance for recommenders. Recommendation letters should be submitted by recommenders directly through the application portal.
  6. Start developing your two required essays. One will focus on your experiences as a New American; and one will explain how your chosen graduate program will contribute to your current and near-term career goals, as well as why you chose to pursue this program. Refer to the Soros Fellowship application for detailed essay prompts.
  7. Gather your other submission materials, including your resume/CV, unofficial transcripts for any undergraduate and graduate schools previously or currently attended, and standardized test scores if they are/were required for admission to your graduate program. Consider whether you want to include an optional exhibition with your application. Visit www.pdsoros.org or refer to your application for information about what may be included as an optional exhibition.
  8. Submit a copy of you application as a PDF to TBD, including all letters of recommendation and academic transcripts, by the campus deadline. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  9. If applicable, prepare for the individual campus interview, which will take place within 1-2 weeks after the campus deadline.
  10. The Soros Fellowship Selection Committee will review submitted application and invite selected candidates to a personal interview in Los Angeles in late January. Interviews must be completed in person, and all costs are paid.

   

  About 2.5% of applicants receive an award.

• Advising

  Soros Fellowship Campus Advisor:

  TBD

  In the meantime, contact Ray Ball at rball11@alaska.edu

  Information sessions:
  The fellowship offers information about webinars on their website. Recorded information sessions are available at https://www.pdsoros.org/apply/recorded-information-sessions. 

  Applicant resources that cover the required essays, advice about recommenders, and help with optional exhibitions are also available at https://www.pdsoros.org/apply/applicant-resources.