October 29, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Time (for the 2027 Fellowship cycle)
Level
Graduate (Master's, PhD, and professional degrees such as MD, JD, MBA)
Acceptance
—
Difficulty
Extremely Competitive (30 Fellows selected from a national applicant pool each year)
Quick Summary
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans (Inclusive of Disability Representation), administered by Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, is one of the funding options available to new americans: immigrants and children of immigrants studying full-time in the us in United States. The award covers Up to $90,000 total over up to two years and is open to graduate (master's, phd, and professional degrees such as md, jd, mba) students studying all fields of graduate and professional study. The scholarship runs for up to two years of graduate study. Eligibility is generally based on eligible applicants include naturalized US citizens, green card holders, refugees, asylees, and DACA recipients who graduated from both high school and college in the US, or children of two parents who fit those categories. Applicants must not have started the third year of their current graduate program as of the deadline, and executive programs, certificate programs, and joint bachelor's/master's programs awarded simultaneously do not qualify. The application deadline is October 29, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Time (for the 2027 Fellowship cycle). Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans (Inclusive of Disability Representation)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
7/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Up to $90,000 total over up to two years
⏳
Duration
Up to two years of graduate study
📅
Deadline
October 29, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Time (for the 2027 Fellowship cycle)
🌎
Fields
All fields of graduate and professional study
🏆
Awards/Year
30 Fellows selected per year
🌏
Study Country
United States
🏛️
Provider
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
📊
Acceptance
—
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans selects 30 immigrants or children of immigrants each year to fund graduate or professional study anywhere in the United States, in any field. Unlike need-based aid, selection is explicitly merit-based with no required GPA or test score threshold, and the program instead looks for applicants who have already shown originality and creative capacity in their chosen field. Roughly 77 finalists are invited to interview out of the full applicant pool before the 30 winning Fellows are announced each spring.
👥 Who Should Apply
Eligible applicants include naturalized US citizens, green card holders, refugees, asylees, and DACA recipients who graduated from both high school and college in the US, or children of two parents who fit those categories. Applicants must not have started the third year of their current graduate program as of the deadline, and executive programs, certificate programs, and joint bachelor's/master's programs awarded simultaneously do not qualify.
🏛️ Host University
Any fully accredited graduate or professional degree program in the United States
🤝 Sponsor
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans (funded by the Soros family)
🌎 Fields of Study
All fields of graduate and professional study
✨ Key Benefits
Each Fellow receives up to $25,000 per year in stipend plus up to $20,000 per year toward tuition and fees, for a combined maximum of $90,000 over the fellowship's one- to two-year term. The award is paid directly to the Fellow and their graduate school rather than routed entirely through financial aid, and it stacks with most other funding a Fellow already holds.
🎯 Target Students
New Americans: immigrants and children of immigrants studying full-time in the US
🏷 Tags
New AmericansImmigrantsGraduate FellowshipMerit-BasedUnited StatesPhDProfessional Degree
Two all-expenses-paid weekend gatherings in New York City during the first two years of the fellowship, a campus visit from Fellowship staff, and lifetime membership in the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows Association alumni network
🔄 Renewable
No
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Immigrants or children of immigrants (New Americans) who are 30 years old or younger as of the application deadline and are entering or in the early stages of a fully accredited full-time US graduate or professional program
🎓 Academic Level
Graduate (Master's, PhD, and professional degrees such as MD, JD, MBA)
📊 Minimum GPA
No minimum GPA; selection is holistic
🍢 Age Limit
30 years old or younger as of the application deadline
💼 Work Experience
Not required, though professional and creative achievements are weighed in the holistic review
🏆 Leadership
Applicants must show evidence of originality, initiative, and the potential for significant contributions to their field or to US society
💰 Financial Need
Not considered; selection is merit-based
🎯 Target Students
New Americans: immigrants and children of immigrants studying full-time in the US
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes, personal statement essays on the…
Rec Letters
Yes, multiple letters of recommendation as…
Interview
Yes, for the roughly 77 finalists, held…
Application Fee
$0
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Interview
Minimum GPA Requirement
📋 Application Process
Use your personal statement to show concrete evidence of original thinking or initiative in your field rather than simply restating your immigration story, since the selection committee explicitly weighs demonstrated creativity over credentials. Apply as early in your graduate studies as your degree program allows, since the Fellowship funds up to two years of an ongoing graduate program rather than only incoming first-year students.
💡 Insider Tip: Ask recommenders who can speak directly to specific instances of your independent judgment or creative work, since the Fellowship's published criteria state there is no minimum GPA or test score and reviewers instead look for narrative evidence of impact. Confirm your immigration status against the programme's specific 'New American' definition (naturalized citizen, green card holder, or DACA/childhood immigrant status) before applying, since this eligibility category is central to selection.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Check website
⏰ Deadline
October 29, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Time (for the 2027 Fellowship cycle)
🎤 Interview
Yes, for the roughly 77 finalists, held virtually in January and February
🎓 Study Starts
Fall 2027
Check website
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
October 29, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Time (for the 2027 Fellowship cycle)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes, for the roughly 77 finalists, held virtually in January and February
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Fall 2027
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Originality, initiative, evidence of achievement, potential for significant future contribution
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans (Inclusive of Disability Representation)Current
United States
Partial Funding
Graduate (Master's, PhD, and professional degrees such as MD, JD, MBA)
Eligible applicants include naturalized US citizens, green card holders, refugees, asylees, and DACA recipients who graduated from both high school and college in the US, or children of two parents who fit those categories. Applicants must not have started the third year of their current graduate program as of the deadline, and executive programs, certificate programs, and joint bachelor's/master's programs awarded simultaneously do not qualify.
Each Fellow receives up to $25,000 per year in stipend plus up to $20,000 per year toward tuition and fees, for a combined maximum of $90,000 over the fellowship's one- to two-year term. The award is paid directly to the Fellow and their graduate school rather than routed entirely through financial aid, and it stacks with most other funding a Fellow already holds. Coverage may vary — check the official website for exact details.
The deadline is October 29, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Time (for the 2027 Fellowship cycle). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Check website, Yes, multiple letters of recommendation as part of the online application recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.