The Mitchell Scholars Program, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.
Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are chosen annually for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Applicants are judged on three criteria: scholarship, leadership, and a sustained commitment to community and public service. The Mitchell Scholars Program provides tuition, accommodations, a living expenses stipend, and an international travel stipend.
Note: the Mitchell Scholars Program has been suspended and is not accepting applications in 2024.
Applicants who are graduating seniors must receive endorsement from their current college or university. Yale endorsement is given by the Yale Committee for the Mitchell Scholarships and coordinated by Fellowship Programs at CIPE. Graduate students and alumni are not required to seek institutional endorsement before applying for the Mitchell, although they are very welcome to seek advice from the Fellowships office! (Please see the official website for details.)
Following institutional endorsement for graduating seniors, or in the first instance for alumni and graduate/professional students, candidates apply directly to the US-Ireland Alliance via the official online application system. After reviewing applications, a national selection committee invites selected candidates for semi-final interviews via Skype and finalist interviews in person in Washington, D.C.
Interested applicants, after doing some research of their own, are urged particularly to contact: Fellowship Programs at the Yale Center for International and Professional Experience.Meetings by appointment
Graduating seniors and recent graduates who are US citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 may apply for the Mitchell. The selection criteria for the Mitchell Scholarship are as follows:
• Academic excellence and intellectual distinction• An outstanding record of leadership, which may be evidenced through a variety of activities and accomplishments; these efforts may be on- or off-campus, local, regional, or global. • Commitment to community and public service, evinced by a record of sustained commitment to service and community, on-campus, locally, nationally, or internationally.
Character, integrity, and generosity of spirit are elsewhere noted as characteristics sought, as indicators of potential for future leadership and unselfish contribution to society.
Mitchell Scholarships cannot be deferred.
Please read the official information, provided on the Mitchell Scholars Program website, carefully. In particular, please note the application procedures, and especially the information on the selection process.