The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans is now accepting applications for its 2026 cycle. This prestigious fellowship provides up to $90,000 in funding to support immigrants and children of immigrants in the United States who are pursuing full-time graduate or professional degrees. If you are planning to start or continue your studies in the 2026–2027 academic year, here is everything you need to know about eligibility, application requirements, and how to submit a competitive application.
Who is Eligible?
You may apply for the 2026 Fellowship if the following apply to you by the deadline on October 30, 2025:
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Age: You are 30 years old or younger.
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New American Status: You are an immigrant (naturalized citizen, green card holder, asylee/refugee, or DACA recipient) or the child of immigrants (with both birth parents born outside the U.S. and not U.S. citizens at the time of your birth).
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Academic Plans: You plan to begin or continue a full-time graduate or professional program in the U.S. in 2026–2027. You may apply while applying to graduate school or if you are in the early years of a qualifying program.
For more eligibility criteria information visit their website.
Fellowship Benefits
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Up to $90,000 in funding (including tuition support and living stipend)
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Access to a robust network of alumni and fellows
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Attendance at the annual Fall Conference in New York City
Key Deadlines
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Application Deadline: October 30, 2025 (by 2:00 PM ET)
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Finalist Notifications: Mid-January 2026
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Virtual Interviews: February 2026
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Fellows Notified: March 2026
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Public Announcement: April 2026
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Fellowship Begins: Fall 2026
How to Apply
Step 1: Prepare Your Application
Create an account on the official Fellowship portal. You’ll need to:
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Fill out eligibility and demographic details
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Upload your resume or CV
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Submit transcripts (college and graduate, if applicable)
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Write two essays:
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Your experience as a New American (max 1000 words)
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Your academic and career goals (max 1000 words)
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Provide standardized test scores (if required by your chosen graduate programs)
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Submit up to 5 optional exhibits
Step 2: Register Your Recommenders
You must submit 3 to 5 letters of recommendation. All recommendations must be submitted via the online application system.
Recommenders should speak to your academic, professional, and personal qualifications. Detailed guidance is available for both applicants and recommenders on the official Fellowship site.
Step 3: Finalize and Submit
Ensure all materials are submitted online before the strict 2:00 PM ET deadline on October 30, 2025. No late applications will be accepted, and all uploads must preserve formatting.
For more opportunities, please visit our website opportunitiesforyouth.org.
