Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans 2027

Overview

The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans support 30 immigrant and second-generation graduate students per year pursuing any full-time graduate or professional degree at a US institution. Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 over two years, split equally between a tuition grant and a living stipend. The foundation was established in 1997 by Paul and Daisy Soros to honor the contributions of immigrants to the United States. The 2027 cycle is open now, with a deadline of 29 October 2026 at 2:00 PM ET.

Benefits

• Up to $45,000 in tuition grants, paid directly toward program costs.
• Up to $45,000 in stipend support over two years for living expenses.
• Funding applies to any accredited full-time graduate or professional degree in the United States, including MD, JD, MBA, MFA, PhD, and Master’s programs.
• Annual two-day Fellows Weekend conference with current Fellows and alumni.
• Long-term membership in a network of over 700 alumni across law, medicine, science, business, and the arts.
• Recognition that is widely noted by admissions committees and grant agencies.

Eligibility

• You must be an immigrant or a child of immigrants. Immigrants are eligible if they are naturalized US citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), asylees, refugees, or individuals who graduated from both US high school and US college.
• 30 years old or younger as of the application deadline, 29 October 2026.
• Enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, a full-time graduate or professional degree program in the US for the 2027-2028 academic year.
• Bachelor’s degree completed by the fall of 2027.
• If already in graduate school, you must not have started the third year of your current degree as of the deadline.
• Open to all fields and disciplines. No GPA cutoff is stated.

How to apply

1. Confirm your eligibility at pdsoros.org/eligibility before starting an application.
2. Identify three to five recommenders early. The foundation advises reaching out at least six weeks before the deadline.
3. Create an account on the application portal at pdsoros-fellowships.smapply.io.
4. Complete the application: two essays (one on your New American story, one on your graduate work), a CV or resume, transcripts from every institution attended, and contact details for your recommenders.
5. Submit the full application before 29 October 2026 at 2:00 PM ET. Recommenders submit letters directly through the portal; their deadline is the same date.
6. Top 77 candidates are named finalists in mid-January 2027. Virtual interviews take place in late January and early February 2027. 30 Fellows are announced in April 2027. Fellowships begin in the fall of 2027.