The George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program, is a competitive national scholarship program which is sponsored by the US-Ireland Alliance.
About George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program
The George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program is intended to introduce and connect future generations of American leaders to the island of Ireland while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service. It was named in honor of former US Senator George Mitchell’s crucial role in the Northern Ireland peace process.
For one academic year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutes of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland, up to twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are selected each year. Three factors are used to evaluate applicants:
- Academic scholarship
- Management, and/or leadership skill
- A persistent dedication to civic engagement and government service.
The Mitchell Scholarship Program covers the cost of tuition, housing, and a stipend for living and travel expenses. The academic year, from September to May, is covered by the scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria for George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program
All qualified applicants who are eager to compete in a demanding scholarship competition are urged to submit an application.
Candidates for the Mitchell Scholarship Program must satisfy each of the requirements listed below:
- Have US citizenship
- On the deadline date for applications, you must be at least 18 years old but not yet 30. If the deadline is September 29 and you turn 30 on September 28 then you are ineligible, for instance.
- Before starting your studies as a Mitchell Scholar, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution that has earned accreditation. If all other requirements are satisfied, degrees from approved international universities are allowed.
- No grant is made for an applicant’s spouse, partner, or dependents’ expenditures, even though applicants who are married or who have partners are accepted. It is crucial to keep in mind that the appropriate government agency in Ireland or Northern Ireland may demand financial proof from spouses or partners who are not EU nationals in order to obtain the required visa or residency permit.
Application Required Documents
The materials required to complete the application are listed below (not including the four recommendation letters or the endorsement, if applicable)
- Passport-style image (JPG, PNG, PDF)
- All transcripts were scanned and combined into one PDF (please block out your Social Security number if visible). Any undergraduate and graduate study you have done should be listed here. Transcripts that are not official will do for the initial application. Before their final interview, finalists must submit official transcripts.
- Statement of purpose (1,000 words maximum). Your chance to discuss why the Mitchell Scholarship and/or studying in Ireland and/or Northern Ireland makes sense for your future ambitions and passions is in your personal statement.
- A copy of your signed signature (JPG, PNG, PDF).
NOTE: All Eligible Applicants will be selected and be asked to provide:
- Proof of US Citizenship
- Official copies of each transcript must be obtained from the applicant’s registrar in a sealed envelope or via a safe electronic system.
Application Date
The Mitchell Scholarship Program application for the 2023-2024 academic session is now open.
Make sure you have read the application instructions in their entirety before beginning the application.
Do not post a transcript that is encrypted. For the initial application, an unofficial transcript is acceptable. Official transcripts will be requested from finalists.
Application Deadline
By 5:00 PM Eastern Time on September 30, 2022, all application documents must be submitted online. The candidate is completely accountable for submitting their application by the deadline, as well as making sure that all four letters of reference and the endorsement (needed only for undergraduate students) are received.
NOTE: that the deadline for institutional endorsements at your college or university will be sooner than the Mitchell Scholarship application deadline if you are an undergraduate student (in some cases, much earlier). For further information, please speak with your campus fellowship counselor before beginning the application process. Graduate students and candidates with an undergraduate degree as of the application deadline DO NOT submit an institutional endorsement.