Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Masters Fellowships @Fellowships posted 2 weeks agoJob Description
Job Description: A private fellowship that invests in the graduate education of immigrants and children of immigrants in the United States. The Soros Fellowships for New Americans recognize the contributions of New Americans and provide funding for any master’s or doctoral degree in any field at a U.S. university. The program selects 30 Fellows each year based on merit, emphasizing creativity, originality, initiative, and accomplishment, to receive support for up to two years of graduate study.
Role Description: Soros Fellows pursue full-time graduate studies in their chosen fields (ranging from STEM to arts to professional schools) with the help of the fellowship. They have no work obligations to the fellowship but join a vibrant community of past and present Fellows. The fellowship’s only expectation is that Fellows will excel in their studies and continue to uphold the program’s values of civic engagement and contribution to society. Each Fellow can spread the funding over two academic years, typically the first two years of their graduate program. In addition to funding, Fellows get to attend an annual Fall Conference and join a lifelong alumni network. The role of a Fellow is simply to be an outstanding student and, eventually, a leader in their field, representing the New American experience.
Application Cycle: Annual (application opens in April; applications due in October; finalists interviewed in January; Fellows announced in March)
What You’ll Need:
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- New American status (required). This means the applicant must be either:
- a U.S. naturalized citizen,
- a lawful permanent resident (green card holder),
- a refugee/asylee, or
- the child of two parents who are (or were) not U.S. citizens (e.g., born in the U.S. to immigrant parents).
- Age eligibility: must be under 31 years old as of the application deadline (e.g., for 2026 cohort, born after November 1993)
- Bachelor’s degree in hand by the start of the fellowship and not beyond the second year of the graduate program you seek funding for
- High achievement evidenced by academic success, creativity, and initiative (e.g., research, leadership, or other accomplishments)
- New American status (required). This means the applicant must be either:
Preferred or Required Qualifications:
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- Required: Demonstrated commitment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights (applicants write essays on their New American experience and identity)
- Preferred: While there is no GPA/test cutoff, successful candidates often have excellent academic records. Community leadership or service is a plus.
- The program does not require specific fields of study or career goals – all disciplines are welcome. Selection is without regard to field, country of origin, or ethnicity (no quotas).
Benefits and Perks:
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- Up to $90,000 in financial support over two years of graduate study. This includes a stipend of up to $25,000 per year (for living expenses) and up to $20,000 per year toward tuition and fees (If tuition is lower, more of the stipend may be used; total support per fellow is capped at $90k.)
- Flexibility in use of funds – Fellows can use the funding for two academic years (consecutive or not, as needed). The award can supplement other funding; it is coordinated so that it maximizes support (e.g., if a university provides partial funding, Soros covers the remainder up to the cap).
- Annual Fall Conference in New York City, where Fellows meet each other, share experiences, and network with alumni—all expenses paid. They join a strong community of New American fellows in diverse fields.
- No service commitment or obligation to the foundation – however, the prestige of being a Soros Fellow often opens doors, and the alumni network is a significant benefit in itself.
Where and How You Can Apply:
Official Website: pdsoros.org – Online Application – The application is done online and includes: personal essays about the applicant’s New American experience and goals, a resume, transcripts, standardized test scores (if applicable to the field), two recommendation letters, and optional exhibits (publications or work samples). Finalists are invited to interviews. All application materials must be submitted by the October deadline (no exceptions).
