Mitchell Scholarship

The selection is paused for 2024-2025.

Who Should Apply?:

Seniors and graduate students; U.S. citizens

U.K./Ireland Pre-Application must be completed and submitted by June 1.

What It's For:

One year of graduate study in the Republic of Ireland

Fields of Study:

Any field offered at an Irish Institution

Scholarship Website:

Mitchell Scholarship

The Mitchell Scholarship Program was named to honor former U.S. Senator George Mitchell’s pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process and covers one year of graduate study at any university in Ireland or Northern Ireland for up to 12 scholars annually (tuition, housing, a living expenses stipend, and an international travel stipend). The program seeks to introduce and connect generations of future Americans to Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.

Eligibility Requirements:

U.S. citizen
18 years of age or older, but not yet 30, on September 30th of the year of application
Bachelor's degree in hand by start of degree program in Ireland

Candidate Profile:

Excellent academic performance and intellectual distinction
Outstanding record of leadership as demonstrated by academic, campus, community, and/or work activities
Sustained commitment to community and public service
Personal and/or professional interest in U.S.-Ireland relations (e.g., cultural, political, economic, etc.). Candidates need not be Irish or have Irish ancestry to apply, nor will such candidates receive priority.
Potential to succeed in independent graduate study abroad

Application Components:

1,000 word Personal Statement
Four letters of recommendation. Share this important information with your recommenders: Instructions for Recommenders: U.K. & Ireland Awards.
Letter of institutional endorsement from UMass (full-time students only)
Certified transcript (or transcripts)
Scanned PDF of your signature
Passport-style photo (PDF)

Application Procedure

An institutional endorsement is required for current full-time students. Contact ONSA if interested in applying. Applicants do NOT need to apply separately for university admission. The candidate’s assignment to a university in Ireland or Northern Ireland is part of the application process.

ONSA staff encourage you to set an advising appointment during the spring semester to discuss your eligibility and competitiveness for the UK/Ireland scholarships. After discussing with us your academic record and leadership and community engagement experience for these highly competitive scholarships, students will pre-apply with ONSA by June 1.

The pre-application process officially informs ONSA about your application plan and allows students to start working early on their applications.

After June 1 pre-application deadline, you will work on your essays, which will allow you to move forward with a full application for the campus endorsement process. In some cases, we may recommend that you consider other opportunities that are a better fit.

U.K./Ireland Pre-Application

Finalize your Mitchell application on the national website. We will access your application from there.

THE CAMPUS DEADLINE OF AUGUST 15 IS REQUIRED. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THIS DATE.

After August 15, we will review your application and inform you if you will be endorsed for the national competition.

Mitchell National Deadline: late September (consult Mitchell Scholarship website for specific date)