Introduction
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans provides merit-based graduate education funding for immigrants and children of immigrants in the United States.
Each year, the programme selects 30 Fellows, offering each up to US$90,000 over two years. Recipients also join a lifelong community supporting professional development and connections across disciplines. As of 2026, the fellowship network comprised 865 Fellows.
History and Background
Founded by Immigrant Philanthropists
Paul and Daisy Soros, Hungarian immigrants and American philanthropists, established the programme in December 1997 with a US$50 million charitable trust.
The organisation began its work in 1998, when its first director was appointed and its board established the mission and eligibility framework. The founders wanted to recognise immigrants’ contributions and extend opportunities to future generations of New Americans.
Building Long-Term Support
In 2010, Paul and Daisy Soros contributed another US$25 million to the trust. The programme subsequently expanded eligibility to include DACA recipients in 2014.
Its development has combined financial assistance with a growing alumni community and initiatives that amplify New American perspectives.
Mission and Purpose
The fellowship aims to help accomplished New Americans develop leadership in their chosen fields. It recognises the value of immigrant experiences and seeks to support people with the potential to contribute meaningfully to American society, culture and academic life.
The founders’ vision was to give back to the country that provided their family with opportunities, while helping subsequent generations pursue their ambitions.
The programme describes itself as non-partisan. Its funding is open across fields of study, subject to its New American, age and graduate education requirements.
Governance and Structure
Board and Programme Leadership
A board of directors advises the fellowship on grantmaking, eligibility, selection, educational focus, community building, governance and professional standards.
The organisation describes its board as bringing experience from finance, higher education, business, law, public policy, public health, technology, the arts and the nonprofit sector. Fellowship alumni also participate in board leadership.
Competitive Selection
Applications undergo a merit-based review followed by finalist interviews. For the 2026 cohort, the programme received 3,070 applications, selected 77 finalists and awarded 30 fellowships.
The selected Fellows represented 17 undergraduate institutions and 16 graduate programmes, illustrating the range of educational backgrounds within the cohort.
Funding and Grants
Financial Benefits
Each Fellow can receive up to US$25,000 annually in stipend support and US$20,000 annually in tuition support, for up to two years.
Stipends are paid directly to Fellows, while tuition support is paid to their universities. The combined maximum is US$90,000, helping recipients pursue graduate education with greater financial flexibility.
The founders’ charitable trust provides the programme’s historical funding foundation. Its original contributions should be distinguished from the trust’s current asset value, which is not established by those historical figures.
Eligibility and Applications
For the 2027 fellowship, applicants must be 30 or younger on the application deadline and meet the programme’s detailed New American requirements. They must plan to undertake an eligible full-time graduate or professional degree in the United States during 2027–2028.
Applicants already studying generally must not have started the third year of the degree for which they seek funding. The 2027 application deadline is 29 October 2026 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants should consult the official eligibility requirements for immigration, family-background and academic conditions.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Graduate Fellowships Across Disciplines
The annual graduate fellowship is the organisation’s central programme. It supports study across professional, scientific, artistic and academic disciplines.
The 2026 cohort included students pursuing nuclear science, computational chemistry, cognitive science, bioengineering, electrical engineering, ethnic studies, playwriting and journalism.
Community and Public Engagement
Fellows attend an annual Fall Conference in New York City during their funded years, with costs covered by the programme. The conference brings Fellows together with staff and alumni to explore the New American experience.
The organisation also runs a Public Voices Fellowship with The OpEd Project, supporting members of its community in bringing their expertise and perspectives into public discussion.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Educational Investment
In its 2023 announcement, the programme reported providing more than US$80 million in funding since its founding. This is a dated cumulative figure rather than a current total.
Its impact extends across the educational and professional paths of Fellows, whose work includes research, healthcare, public service, entrepreneurship and the arts.
Examples of Fellowship Recipients
Prabhjot Singh, a 2005 Fellow, received support for doctoral study at Rockefeller University and medical study at Cornell University. His subsequent work included community health initiatives and the One Million Community Health Workers Campaign.
Tony Pan, a 2010 Fellow, received funding for a physics PhD at Harvard University. His published profile describes inventions spanning energy, semiconductors and biomedical devices.
These examples illustrate careers associated with fellowship support; they do not establish that the fellowship alone caused later achievements.
Conclusion
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans combines graduate education funding with a lasting professional community. Its philanthropic model invests in individuals whose immigrant experiences, accomplishments and ambitions can contribute to the United States.
For eligible applicants, it offers substantial financial assistance across disciplines alongside opportunities for connection and public engagement.
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