The George J. Mitchell Scholarships
DescriptionThe George J. Mitchell Scholarships provide funding to twelve U.S. citizens for one academic year of graduate study in any discipline at any university in Ireland (either both the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland). These scholarships were established in 1998 to honor George J. Mitchell, the former U.S. Senator who made a pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process. The stated goal of the Mitchell Scholarship is to "introduce and connect upcoming generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to public service and community." Funding for the Mitchell Scholarships comes from the Irish and British governments, a major anonymous donor, and several private corporations. In the U.S., the Scholarship is administered by the US-Ireland Alliance in Washington, D.C. |
Important Documents
Resources |
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Graduating seniors and recent graduates who are US citizens may apply. The selection criteria, as stated in the Mitchell brochure, are as follows:
• Academic excellence and intellectual distinction
• An outstanding record of leadership
• A sustained commitment to service and community
Character, integrity, and generosity of spirit are elsewhere noted as characteristics sought, as indicators of potential for future leadership and unselfish contribution to society.
All applicants must receive endorsement from their undergraduate or graduate institution if they are attending a university at the time of application. Yale endorsement is given by the Yale Committee for the Mitchell Scholarships and coordinated by the Office of Fellowship Programs (OFP). Following institutional endorsement, candidates apply directly to the US-Ireland Alliance. After reviewing applications, a national selection committee invites selected candidates for semi-final and final interviews in Washington, D.C. Because the Mitchell program has only 20 national finalists for 12 awards, it only interviews candidates who declare their commitment to the Mitchell Scholarship if invited to be a finalist.
Make an Appointment
Interested applicants should schedule an appointment with Kate Dailinger, Associate Director for UK Fellowships, Yale Office of Fellowship Programs.
Application Information and Instructions
All applicants seeking Yale’s endorsement for the Mitchell should follow these steps:
1. Refer to the Application Timetable (.doc) for further instructions about the campus application process.
2. Review the official Mitchell information and application materials via the US-Ireland Alliance website, register in the online application system, and prepare your application materials, including the personal statement. (Please do NOT enter endorser information or submit your application electronically until asked to do so by OFP.) Request that copies of four letters of recommendation and a Dean’s Report be submitted to OFP on your behalf. For advice on the application process, from asking for letters of recommendation to writing essays, interviewing, and more, click here.
3. Register for the Mitchell Scholarship on the Yale Student Grants Database; complete this registration by 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, August 18, 2009.
4. Submit hardcopy application materials by the Campus Deadline, 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, August 25, 2009. Earlier applications are very welcome!
• What needs to be submitted? See the campus Mitchell application checklist or, if applicable, see Applying for Multiple UK Fellowships.
• Where? All application materials should be sent to the Yale Committee for the Mitchell Scholarships, care of the Office of Fellowship Programs [click here for directions/mailing address].
In addition, by the campus application deadline, the Yale Committee for the Mitchell Scholarships will require your
• Dean’s Report (.doc)
• Four (4) letters of recommendation; see the Yale Mitchell Request for Reference form (.doc)
Be sure to give your Dean and recommenders plenty of time to get their letters in by the deadline. (See Requesting Letters of Recommendation (.doc)).
The Dean’s Report and letters may be sent as signed originals on letterhead to OFP, or emailed to Katherine Dailinger. Be sure to give your Dean and recommenders plenty of time before the deadline! (See Requesting Letters of Recommendation (.doc)).
