The Fellowships are grants for up to two years of graduate study in the United States. The recipients are chosen on a nationally competitive basis. Thirty Fellowships will be awarded each year.
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 US citizen, or (3) is the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens.
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 1, 2009.
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 capacity for accomplishment, demonstrated through activity that has required drive and sustained effort; and (3) a commitment to the values expressed in the US 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.
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 US graduate program attended by the Fellow (up to a maximum of $16,000 per academic year). 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 or the remainder of the of the Fellow's degree residence is less than two years, the Fellow receives the amount to cover the period required for the degree. Joint degree programs will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. 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 combined award package that does not exceed full tuition and required fees, plus $30,000 for maintenance. A Fellow may not work during the period of the Fellowship without the permission of the Director.
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 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.
Are there any limitations to where a Fellow may study?
A Fellow may study at any accredited graduate program in the United States. It is the responsibility of the Fellow to secure admission.
When does the Fellowship Program begin?
The application and selection process will take place in the late fall and winter, and Fellows will be expected to begin their graduate study no later than the following September. Successful Fellows already undertaking graduate work may be supported during the semester they are selected.
May a Fellowship be deferred?
No.
What is entailed in applying?
Applicants are required: 1) to complete an online application form; 2) to submit two essays on specified topics; 3) to submit a 1-2 page resume; 4) to assure the submission of three recommendation 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 her/his performance in a work-setting, whether paid or volunteer; 5) to submit an institutional status form from the institution attended indicating when and whether the present degree program will be completed (this may be completed by a registrar, a dean or director of the program, or other authority); candidates who have a bachelor's degree and have not yet enrolled in a graduate program need not provide this form; 6) to assure the submission of a transcript from the applicant's undergraduate institution, and if her/his graduate training is already in progress, from the graduate institution as well; candidates may submit a photocopy of the transcript; 7) to submit documentary evidence that the applicant meets, as of NOVEMBER 1, 2009, the definition of New American as detailed in the second page; and 8) to have taken and submitted to the Fellowship Program by the second week of December, 2008, scores from any graduate aptitude test (e.g., GMAT, MCAT, GRE, LSAT) required by programs to which the applicant has applied; candidates may submit a photocopy of the score report; this requirement does not pertain to students in programs where portfolios or auditions determine admissions.
Where may an application be obtained?
What is the selection process?
After screening, 84 candidates will be selected for interviews. The interviewers will be distinguished New Americans. The Program will provide funding for travel and accommodations. After its recommendations have been reviewed and approved by the Program's Board of Trustees, the class of Fellows will be announced in February. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply if they continue to meet the program requirements.
What are the responsibilities of a Fellow?
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 academic year of the Fellowship) and provide a final report to the Program Director. The Fellowship Program staff may require other evidence of progress.
A member of the Program staff will visit each Fellow at her/his campus.
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 required to attend a Fellows' Conference Program of two days in New York City twice during the tenure of the award. The Program pays for all costs associated with the Fellows' Conference Program. Fellows will be given ample advance notice of the dates and locations of the Conference programs.