George J. Mitchell Scholarships aim to introduce future American leaders to the island of Ireland while recognizing and fostering their intellectual achievement, leadership, and commitment to community and public service. Mitchell Scholars are chosen annually for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Each Mitchell Scholarship provides tuition, accommodation, a living stipend, and an international travel stipend. The program also sponsors cohort-building activities throughout the year.
Eligibility
Mitchell Scholarship candidates must be:
- U.S. citizens;
- Be 18 years of age or older, but not yet 30, on the date the application is due. For example, if the deadline is September 29 and you turn 30 on September 28, you are not eligible;
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university before beginning study as a Mitchell Scholar. Degrees from international accredited universities are acceptable, if all other conditions are met;
- While married applicants or applicants with partners are accepted, no allowance is made for the expenses of an applicant’s spouse, partner, or dependents. It is important to note that the relevant government agency in Ireland or Northern Ireland may require spouses/partners who are non-EU citizens to prove financial resources for the year in order to obtain the necessary visa or residency permit.
Selection Criteria
Applicants are judged on three criteria:
- scholarship,
- leadership, and
- a sustained commitment to community and public service.
University nomination
Columbia University nominates current undergraduates of Columbia College, Columbia Engineering and the School of General Studies for consideration each year. Graduating seniors may not apply directly for this fellowship without first having been nominated by Columbia. Columbia students apply for nomination by clicking "Start Your Application" and completing all application materials before the internal deadline. Letters of recommendation should be submitted directly to ugrad-urf@columbia.edu by the internal deadline.
Recent graduates who are in their first year of graduate study or not enrolled in any graduate program do not require a university endorsement and may apply directly to the Mitchell Scholarship. However, recent graduates should contact URF at ugrad-urf@columbia.edu, for feedback or support in applying to this opportunity (do note, recent graduates applying to the Mitchell are solely responsible for submitting their application and ensuring that all letters of recommendation are submitted by the national deadline -- the Mitchell Scholarship will not accept late materials nor incomplete applications).