PAUL AND DAISY SOROS PHILANTHROPIES
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
full · masters, phd
- Up to US$90,000 / 2 yrsAward
- 30 / yearFellowships
- Immigrants & their childrenEligibility
- Any fieldDisciplines
- US graduate studyWhere
- 30 or underAge limit
At a glance
full
Funding
€80k
Max amount
Oct 30, 2026
Deadline
United States (for "New Americans" as defined by the program)
Country
Paul and Daisy Soros Philanthropies
Provider
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans honour the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States by supporting their graduate education. Established in 1997 by Hungarian immigrants Paul and Daisy Soros, the program awards 30 fellowships each year across all fields of graduate study. Each fellowship provides up to US$90,000 in support over two years — up to US$25,000 in stipend per year and up to 50% of tuition and fees each year — for a full-time graduate degree (master's, PhD, professional, or MFA) at a US institution. Fellows also join a lifelong community of New American Fellows. The program is open regardless of field, and selection is based on the applicant's achievements, creativity, and potential to make a significant contribution to US society, culture, or their field. Applications are made directly during the annual window, which closes around late October.
What's covered
- Annual stipend — Up to US$25,000 in stipend per year, for up to two years.
- Tuition support — Up to 50% of tuition and required fees each year, for up to two years.
- Total value — Up to ~US$90,000 in combined support across the two years.
- Fellowship community — Membership of the New American Fellows community and network.
How to apply
Apply directly through the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships online application during the annual window (closing ~late October).
- Confirm eligibility — Check the "New American" definitions, the age-30 cap, and the graduate-study requirement.
- Prepare essays & materials — Write the required essays on your background and aspirations; assemble transcripts and references.
- Submit the application — Apply online by the ~late-October deadline.
- Finalist selection — Strong candidates are invited to interview as finalists.
- Interviews — Finalists interview before selection panels.
- Award — 30 Fellows are selected and join the New American Fellows community.
Eligibility
New American statusAn immigrant or the child of immigrants to the US — e.g. naturalised citizen, green-card holder, DACA recipient, or US-born to two immigrant parents (per the program's definitions).
Age30 years old or younger as of the application deadline.
StudyPursuing or about to begin a full-time graduate degree (master's, PhD, professional, or MFA) at a US institution.
FieldOpen to all fields of graduate study.
MeritA record of achievement, creativity, and potential for significant contribution.
Eligibility centres on the program's specific "New American" definitions and the age-30 cap. Applications are made directly (no nomination) by the late-October deadline.
Eligible countries
United States (for "New Americans" as defined by the program)
Deadlines
Annual cycle2026-10-30
Selection
Selection is based on merit — the applicant's achievements, creativity, and potential to make a significant contribution to the United States, their field, or their community — regardless of field of study. After application review, finalists are interviewed before the 30 Fellows are chosen.
Verified sources
- Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americanspdsoros.orgofficial
About the provider
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans were established in 1997 by Paul and Daisy Soros, Hungarian immigrants to the United States, to honour the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants. The program funds graduate education across all fields and builds a community of New American leaders.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What are the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans?
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A program honouring the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the US by funding their graduate education. Established in 1997, it awards 30 fellowships each year across all fields.
How much is the award?
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Up to US$90,000 over two years — up to US$25,000 in stipend per year and up to 50% of tuition and fees per year — for full-time US graduate study.
Who is a "New American"?
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An immigrant or the child of immigrants to the US — for example a naturalised citizen, green-card holder, DACA recipient, or someone born in the US to two immigrant parents, per the program's definitions.
Who is eligible?
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New Americans aged 30 or younger at the deadline who are pursuing or about to begin a full-time graduate degree (master's, PhD, professional, or MFA) at a US institution.
What fields are eligible?
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All fields of graduate study — STEM, humanities, social sciences, the arts (MFA), and professional degrees such as law, medicine, and business.
How do I apply?
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Apply directly online during the annual window (closing ~late October), with essays, transcripts, references, and proof of eligibility; finalists are interviewed.
When is the deadline?
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The application typically closes in ~late October, with finalist interviews in winter and Fellows announced in spring. Confirm the current date on the program's site.
Is there an age limit?
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Yes — you must be 30 years old or younger as of the application deadline.
How many fellowships are awarded?
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Exactly 30 each year, selected from a large national pool of New American applicants, which makes it highly competitive.
Does it support professional degrees?
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Yes — master's, PhD, MFA, and professional degrees (such as JD, MD, MBA) at US institutions are all eligible.
Do I apply directly or get nominated?
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You apply directly — there is no nomination requirement. The online application is open to all eligible New Americans.
What is the New American Fellows community?
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A lifelong community and network of Soros Fellows across fields and generations, offering connection, mentorship, and a shared identity as New Americans.