What if a single fellowship could cover a significant portion of your graduate education, connect you to a lifelong network of high-achieving immigrants and children of immigrants, and recognize your potential to shape American society? The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans does exactly that. Every year, this highly competitive, merit-based program selects 30 New Americans and awards each up to $90,000 to support one to two years of full-time graduate or professional study in any field at an accredited U.S. institution.
Founded by Hungarian immigrants Paul and Daisy Soros, the program has supported hundreds of Fellows who have gone on to become leaders in medicine, law, science, the arts, public policy, technology, and beyond. With more than 3,000 applications in recent cycles and only 30 awards, the stakes are high. Yet the opportunity remains one of the most generous and prestigious forms of graduate funding available specifically for immigrants and the children of immigrants.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans for the 2027 cycle, including benefits, eligibility, the application process, selection criteria, and practical tips to strengthen your candidacy.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: USA
- Host University: Any fully accredited graduate or professional degree-granting program in the United States
- Scholarship Type: Undergraduate Scholarships/MSC Scholarships/PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: Immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States
- Scholarship Benefits: Up to $90,000 over one to two years, Living stipend, etc.
Overview of Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans (often called PD Soros or the Soros Fellowships) honor the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Established in 1997 with a $50 million charitable trust, the program invests in individuals who demonstrate creativity, originality, initiative, and sustained accomplishment while showing a commitment to the values of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Fellows pursue graduate degrees across an extraordinary range of disciplines—from screenwriting and opera to physics, neuroscience, law, medicine, and mechanical engineering. The program places no quotas on field of study, university, or country of origin. Selection is strictly merit-based and does not consider race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics.
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As of recent years, the network includes more than 800 Fellows representing over 100 countries of heritage. Each new class joins a vibrant alumni community through the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows Association (PDSFA), which fosters mentorship, professional connections, and ongoing engagement.
Scholarship Benefits: More Than Just Funding
Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 in support over one to two years. The award breaks down as follows:
- Up to $25,000 per year in stipend support (paid directly to the Fellow) for a maximum of two years
- Up to $20,000 per year in tuition support (paid directly to the university) for a maximum of two years
The total package is designed to reduce financial pressure so Fellows can focus on ambitious academic and professional goals. Funding begins in the fall of the award year and cannot be deferred for the first year (the second year may be deferred by up to one year in certain cases).
Beyond the money, Fellows gain:
- Membership in a lifelong community of New American leaders
- Two all-expenses-paid Fall Conferences in New York City during their fellowship years
- A campus visit from the Fellowship director or deputy
- Access to networking, mentoring, and professional development opportunities through the PDSFA
These intangible benefits often prove as valuable as the financial support. Many alumni credit the community with opening doors and providing peer inspiration long after the funding ends.
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Who Is Eligible for the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships?
Eligibility is precise and must be met as of the application deadline. The three core requirements are age, New American status, and academic standing.
Age:
You must be 30 years old or younger as of the application deadline (October 29, 2026). There is no minimum age.
New American Status:
You must be an immigrant or the child of immigrants. Specifically:
- Both of your birth parents must have been born outside the United States as non-U.S. citizens and must not have been eligible for U.S. citizenship at the time of their births.
- If you were born in the United States, you generally qualify as the child of two such parents.
- If you were born abroad, you may qualify if you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, hold a valid green card, have been granted asylum or refugee status, were adopted by U.S. citizens and received citizenship through adoption, or graduated from both high school and college in the United States (this pathway includes many current and past DACA recipients).
Parents’ current status or location does not matter. Detailed guidance, including special cases for adopted applicants and DACA recipients, appears on the official eligibility page: pdsoros.org/eligibility.
Academic Standing:
You must plan to enroll full-time in a fully accredited graduate or professional degree program in the United States for the 2027–2028 academic year (or already be in the early years of such a program). You must not have begun the third year of the specific degree for which you seek funding by the application deadline. Previous graduate degrees are allowed. Online programs are eligible if fully accredited and degree-granting. Ineligible programs include executive degrees, certificate programs, post-baccalaureate programs, and joint bachelor’s/master’s programs in which the bachelor’s degree has not yet been awarded.
You do not need to have been admitted to a program at the time of application. The Fellowship supports study in any field.
Take the official eligibility quiz on the program website before investing significant time in the application.
Application Timeline and Process for 2027
The 2027 application opened on April 15, 2026. The hard deadline is October 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. No exceptions are granted.
Key dates include:
- Mid-January 2027: Finalist notifications (approximately 77 finalists)
- February 2027: Virtual interviews
- March 2027: Fellows notified
- Mid-April 2027: Public announcement of the 2027 class and opening of the 2028 application
The application is free and submitted entirely online. Required components typically include:
- Online application form with background and demographic information
- Résumé or CV
- Two essays (each up to 1,000 words)
- Transcripts (unofficial acceptable initially)
- Standardized test scores if required by the graduate program
- Three to five letters of recommendation
- Optional exhibits (work samples, publications, or other supporting materials)
One essay focuses on your experiences as a New American and how they have shaped your identity and accomplishments. The second addresses your current activities, career goals, and reasons for pursuing the specific graduate program. Letters of recommendation should contextualize your achievements and potential.
You may apply more than once if you remain eligible. Returning applicants must submit entirely new materials.
Full instructions and the application portal are available at pdsoros.org and the dedicated application site.
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What Selectors Look For
The Fellowship seeks candidates who demonstrate:
- Creativity, originality, and initiative in one or more aspects of their lives
- A commitment to and capacity for accomplishment that required drive and sustained effort
- A commitment to the values expressed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights (including human rights, the rule of law, and the responsibilities of citizenship)
- Promise of significant contributions to U.S. society, culture, or their academic field
- Relevance of the proposed graduate training to long-term goals
The review is holistic. There is no preferred GPA or test-score range. Selectors consider the different immigration experiences applicants bring and look for individuals who have made the most of the resources available to them while overcoming obstacles.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Start early. Strong essays and thoughtful recommendation letters take time. Choose recommenders who know your work well and can speak to both achievement and character. Use the essays to tell a coherent story that connects your New American experience to your intellectual and professional ambitions. Watch the program’s recorded information sessions for guidance on essays, recommendations, and optional exhibits.
Explore the directory of current and past Fellows on the official website to see the diversity of paths and fields represented. This can help you understand the range of successful applicants and identify potential mentors or models.
If you are a finalist, be prepared to submit official documentation confirming eligibility and to participate fully in the virtual interview process.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Graduate education in the United States is expensive, and many talented New Americans face additional barriers related to immigration status, family resources, or interrupted educational paths. The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships remove a substantial financial obstacle while affirming the value of immigrant contributions to American life. Fellows often describe the award as both practical support and a powerful vote of confidence at a critical career stage.
Whether you are applying to medical school, a PhD program, law school, an MFA, or any other advanced degree, this opportunity deserves serious consideration if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Next Steps
Visit the official website at https://pdsoros.org/ to review full eligibility requirements, take the eligibility quiz, watch information sessions, and access the application portal. Confirm the exact deadline and requirements directly on the site, as details can be updated.
The 2027 application deadline of October 29, 2026, will arrive quickly. Begin preparing now. For immigrants and children of immigrants poised to make meaningful contributions, the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans offer one of the most significant investments available in the next generation of American leaders.
Sources and further reading: Official program pages at pdsoros.org (Home, Eligibility, Why Become a Fellow, About the Fellowship, and Application Process). Always verify the latest information on the official site before applying.
For official details, visit the program website at pdsoros.org.