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Introduction

The US-Ireland Alliance sponsors a competitive, national scholarship for graduate study by American citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 at institutions of higher learning on the island of Ireland. Named to honor the former U.S. Senator's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, the George J. Mitchell Scholarships are intended to familiarize and connect the next generation of American leadership with the island of Ireland. These scholarships support one year of graduate study in any discipline offered at an institution of higher learning in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Normally, 12 Scholarships are awarded each year (about five percent of applicants). Because of the relatively small number of recipients, the Mitchell Scholarship is able to arrange group activities and enrichment programs to educate participants on Irish politics, culture and society.

All applications must be processed and endorsed by the MIT Distinguished Fellowships Office, 12-189. You should review this site and the official Mitchell Program web site, and then consult with the MIT Foreign Scholarship Committee for more information.

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Quick Facts
George J. Mitchell Scholarships
Field of Study Any offered at universities in Ireland/Northern Ireland
Type Graduate
Place of Study Any of the 9 universities in Ireland or Northern Ireland
Award amount Tuition, housing, living expenses stipend, international travel
MIT Deadline September 10
National Deadline October 5

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Eligibility

To be eligible you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be between 18 and 30 at the time of taking up the award.
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree by the time of taking up the award.
  • Be working/studying in a discipline offered by a university in Ireland or Northern Ireland.

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Selection Criteria

Applicants are chosen on the basis of:

  • Achievement in leadership and community service
  • Academic record (no minimum GPA is required but typically recipients have at least 4.5/5.0)
  • Personal statement

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Application (see official site for details and forms)

Applications must be submitted online. You must submit a copy of your application to MIT's Distinguished Fellowships Office in 12-189 by the campus deadline. You may make revisions to your application after submitting your printed copy to MIT, but you must submit a copy of your changes. We use your application materials to write your institutional endorsement. Complete applications include the following materials:

  • Application form
  • Personal statement
  • Academic transcript
  • 5 letters of recommendation (submitted online by your referees)
  • List of Irish universities where you would prefer to study
  • Institutional endorsement (provided by MIT directly to Mitchell Scholarship Committee)

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Timeline
MIT Process
Spring
  • Meet with a fellowships advisor. Appointments can be made by sending mail to scholarships@mit.edu or by visiting the Distinguished Fellowships Office in 12-189.
  • Send mail to scholarships@mit.edu to be added to the mailing list to receive information about upcoming workshops, fellowship deadlines, etc.
  • Attend a workshop on foreign scholarships.
  • Fill out Mitchell pre-application form and submit to Distinguished Fellowships Office, 12-189. On receipt of this form, the office will open a file for you.
  • Research and develop your plan of study.
  • Line up faculty to write your recommendations.
Summer
  • Register on the Mitchell web site. Begin reviewing the application and drafting your personal statement.
  • Research your choice of Irish universities and intended programs.
  • Draft your plan of study.
  • Provide your referees with all the information they need to supply a letter of recommendation by September.
September
  • Sign up for campus interview by emailing scholarships@mit.edu.
  • Seek the advice of faculty, staff and fellow students and incorporate suggestions to increase the strength of your application. Staff in the Distinguished Fellowships Office are available to review and critique your essays.
September 10
  • Copy of application due to MIT, 12-189; required so that MIT may write you an institutional endorsement.
 
National Process
October 5
November
  • Readers committee identifies finalists and notifies them by telephone.
  • Unsuccessful applicants notified by email.
November
  • Finalist interviews held in Washington, DC.

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Winners

John Velasco 2007

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Contact Information
MIT Representative General Information

Professor Linn Hobbs
Chairman, Foreign Scholarships Committee
MIT Room 3-4054
Tel: 617-253-6835

Kimberly L Benard
Distinguished Fellowships
Global Education Office
MIT Room 12-189
Tel: 617-253-4378

US-Ireland Alliance
Director of Mitchell Scholarship Program
Dell Pendergrast
2800 Clarendon Boulevard
Suite 502
Arlington , VA 22201
Tel: 703-841-5843

Email: dellp@us-irelandalliance.org
Official site: www.us-irelandalliance.org

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