Requirements

College/School Eligibility:

  • Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Brooks School of Public Policy
  • Architecture, Art and Planning
  • Arts and Sciences
  • Bowers CIS
  • Engineering
  • Human Ecology
  • Industrial and Labor Relations
  • SC Johnson Business - Dyson
  • SC Johnson Business - Hotel

Class Year Eligibility:

  • Fourth Year + (undergrad)

Open to:

  • Cornell Undergraduate Students
  • Cornell Graduate/Professional Students

GPA Requirements:

Minimum GPA: 3.70

Description

The Soros Fellowship funds graduate study at any U.S. university in any field, including professional degrees (MD, JD, MBA, etc.), for immigrants and the children of immigrants (see eligibility section for details.) Applicants must apply separately for admission to their graduate program.

Benefits

The fellowship funds up to $50,000 per year for two years, totaling no more than $90,000. 

Scholars also gain access to a strong alumni network and ongoing opportunities for networking, collaboration, and advancement.

Application deadline

October 30, 2025

Eligibility

All applicants must be graduating seniors or recent alumni (not past their second year of graduate school) under the age of 31. All applicants must also meet the following criteria.

  • Applicants who were born abroad as a non-U.S. citizen must fit one of the following categories:
    • Attended high school in the U.S. (including DACA recipients)
    • Naturalized U.S. citizen
    • Green card holder
    • Adopted by U.S. citizens
    • Refugee or Asylee
  • Applicants who are U.S. citizens by birth must fit one of the following categories:
    • Both parents were born abroad as non-U.S. citizens and were not eligible for U.S. citizenship at the time of their births.
    • You were raised by a single parent who was born abroad as a non-U.S. citizen who was not eligible for U.S. citizenship at the time of their birth.

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated creativity, originality, and initiative
  • Commitment to and capacity for accomplishment
  • Commitment to the values expressed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
    • This would include, but not be limited to, support of human rights and the rule of law, opposition to unwarranted encroachment on personal liberty, and advancing the responsibilities of citizenship in a free society.
  • Promise of continued significant contributions

Resources

Documentary on Daisy Soros and her philanthropic work with the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans.

Contact: Clare Jones, Office of National Fellowships, ckj23@cornell.edu.