The US-Ireland Alliance Organization is sponsoring the George J. Mitchell Scholarships in honor of the former U.S. Senator and his pivotal role in the Northern Ireland peace process.Those students, who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university before beginning study as a Mitchell Scholar, are eligible to apply for the scholarship program.The purpose of the program is to provide future American leaders with an understanding of the island from which more than 44 million Americans claim descent. The Mitchell Scholarship Program provides tuition, accommodation, a stipend for living expenses and travels(currently $1250 USD) for up to one year of post-graduate academic study in Ireland.
The Alliance was created by Trina Vargo in 1998, in recognition of the fact that the relationship between the United States and Ireland was undergoing a dramatic transformation. The US-Ireland Alliance is a proactive, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to consolidating existing relations between the United States and the island of Ireland and building that relationship for the future. The organization connects current and emerging Irish and American leaders in various spheres—including education, politics, business and the arts—for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Eligibility:
The candidates, who want to apply for the Mitchell Scholarship Program, must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be 18 years of age or older, but not yet 30, on September 30 of the year of application (those who turn 30 on September 30th 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 may require spouses or partners who are non-EU citizens to enroll full-time and prove financial resources for the year or to obtain a work permit before seeking paid employment in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
- Check with the Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) or the British Council (UK) for details.
- All eligible candidates who are prepared to enter a rigorous Scholarship competition are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply:
To be applying for the scholarship, the applicant must submit online application through the given link: http://www2.us-irelandalliance.org/content/368/en/Application%20is%20Open.html
Supporting Documents:
Materials you will need to complete the Mitchell Scholarship application:
- Passport-style photo (PDF)
- Personal statement – 1,000-wordmaximum
- A transcript- All transcripts scanned into a single PDF
- Four letters of recommendation have letters addressed to Dr. Iacono, Director, Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.
- A scan of your signature (PDF)
- GPA
- Contact information for the Institutional Endorser (undergraduate students only), including the complete mailing address of your university.
- Institutional endorsement- must not exceed 750 words
- Information about your awards, achievements, community service, etc.
Financial Aid and Award Money:
- The Mitchell Scholarship Program provides full tuition, housing, and a monthly living stipend (currently $1250 USD) for up to one year (12 months) of post-graduate academic study in Ireland.
- Most programs run for nine months.Up to three additional months of the stipend will be provided if required by the program (for a maximum of 12 months).
- One round-trip airline ticket between the United States and Ireland is also provided.
- Each Mitchell Scholar is responsible for securing and financing his or her own health insurance while abroad.
- Up to twelve Scholars are selected. However, this number is not absolutely fixed and depends on the Selection Committee assessment of candidates, as well as university placement in Ireland.
Application Deadline:
The application deadline is September 29, 2017, at 5 pm Eastern Time.A finalist must be present for the Selection Committee interview in Washington, DC, in order to be considered.
Link for More Information:
Contact Information:
If you have any question about the program, contact the Mitchell Scholarship Program director (Carolina Chavez) by email: director-at-mitchellscholars.org
