The George J. Mitchell Scholarship is a nationally competitive award sponsored by the US-Ireland Alliance. Named in honor of the former U.S. Senator's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, the Mitchell is designed to introduce and connect upcoming generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering scholarship, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.
The Mitchell Scholarship application for a year of postgraduate study in Ireland or Northern Ireland and welcomes students in any discipline, not only Irish Studies majors, and we welcome students of any and every background and ethnicity, not just Irish-Americans.
Specific Eligibility Criteria
Candidates for the Mitchell Scholarship Program must meet all the following criteria:
- Be U.S. citizens
- Be 18 years of age or older, but not yet 30, on September 30 of the year of application (those who turn 30 on 1 October are not eligible).
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university before beginning study as a Mitchell Scholar. Degrees from international accredited universities are acceptable, if all other conditions are met.
- While married applicants or applicants with partners are accepted, no allowance is made for the expenses of an applicant’s spouse, partner, or dependents. It is important to note that the relevant government agency may require spouses or partners who are non-EU citizens to enroll full-time and prove financial resources for the year or to obtain a work permit before seeking paid employment in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Please check with the Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) or the British Council (UK) for details