The George J. Mitchell Scholarship, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.

Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are chosen annually for one academic year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Applicants are judged on three criteria:

• scholarship,
• leadership, and
• a sustained commitment to community and public service.

The Mitchell Scholarship Program provides tuition, accommodation, a stipend for living expenses and travel.

Prospective Scholars must have a demonstrated record of intellectual distinction, leadership, and extra-curricular activity, as well as personal characteristics of honesty, integrity, fairness, and unselfish service to others which indicate a potential for future leadership and contribution to society. There are no restrictions as to academic field of study although the proposed course of study must be available at the university selected by the applicant and the applicant's undergraduate program must provide sufficient basis for study in the proposed field.

Learn more about the institutions at which Mitchell Scholars may study.

• Dublin City University
• Technological University Dublin
• Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology
• National University of Ireland, Galway
• National University of Ireland, Maynooth
• Queen's University Belfast
• Trinity College Dublin
• University College Cork
• University College Dublin
• University of Limerick
• Ulster University

A Candidate for the Mitchell Scholarship Program must meet all the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be 18 years of age or older, but not yet 30, on the deadline date.
• 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. Please check with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland for additional information.

• junior
• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen

Whether you've made any firm decisions about applying, which universities/grad programs you're interested in, or are just getting started exploring, let us know you're considering UK options. Connect with Robin Chang in the UW Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards.

What is the nomination requirement?

Undergraduate students must be nominated by the University of Washington to compete for the George Mitchell Scholarship. Graduate students and non-students are not required to be nominated.

UW has a spring campus application process to identify its nominees, and uses this one application process to select nominees for the Marshall, Rhodes, Mitchell and Churchill scholarships. Interested applicants can apply for any or all of the scholarships within that group that are relevant to their goals for study and/or research at universities in the UK. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship does not require university nomination, but we include it in the campus application as well to provide support to students applying.

After the campus application deadline, a campus selection committee composed of UW faculty and staff members will review applications and determine which applicants can be nominated for each scholarship, based on each applicant's potential competitiveness and fit for the rigorous national and international selection processes, and considering each individual scholarship's criteria and mission. Interviews may be included in that campus selection process. Those students/alumni able to be nominated for any of these scholarships will receive support and guidance in completing the official program applications throughout the summer, in preparation to meet the final program deadlines in early fall.

How do I apply for UW nomination?

The UW application for nomination will open in winter 2023 for those hoping to start graduate studies in Ireland in fall 2024. Apply here!

To be considered as part of the 2023-2024 nomination (which would assume a fall 2024 start date for graduate studies in Ireland), students should submit the UW Campus Nomination Application (when it becomes available in spring) to the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards by the campus deadline.

Details and Guidance:

Interested students & alumni should contact the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards and obtain information describing the campus screening process. For the best results, interested students should begin preparations early, prior to the campus application deadline. Additional information can be found on the George Mitchell Scholarship website:  http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/

Please note that this is a long process. Nominees are identified in the spring, work on their final application for the national Mitchell competition over the spring and summer, to meet the fall national application deadline, and if selected, would start their studies in Ireland the following fall. So planning and applying 1.5 years in advance of when you want to start your studies in Ireland is necessary!

Applicants and nominees for the Churchill, Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes, and Gates Cambridge scholarships should take advantage of OMSFA’s Global Fellowships Prep to get advising support, connection to additional scholarship opportunities supporting their goals, application development tools and resources, potential connections to program alumni and additional mentors, and the opportunity to engage with peers working on similar applications.

Campus application materials include: (additional guidance on these components is available through the Global Fellowships Prep resources)

• Basic biographical and educational information, including your proposed graduate program(s) in the UK
• 2 letters of recommendation:
  • At least one letter must be from a faculty member who has taught you, which addresses intellectual curiosity, academic potential, preparation and potential for success in the proposed graduate program(s), and character.
  • At least one of your recommenders should also be able to speak in support of your extra-curricular, experiential learning (including research), and/or leadership experiences, how you have demonstrated motivation and potential with respect to community, campus leadership, research and/or public service.
• A list of 2-6 additional supporters, at least 2-3 must be faculty from whom you have received instruction.
• Leadership Essay (max 500 words): Reflect on one leadership experience you've taken on. How did this experience challenge you to leverage your courage of conviction, persistence, determination, energy and/or creativity in the pursuit a goal? What was your role in bringing about an outcome (or multiple outcomes) in this work?
• Why UK/Ireland and Your Proposed Studies Essay (max 500 words): Provide your ideas at this early stage about the UK or Irish graduate program(s) you hope to do, sharing reasons for these choices and preferred universities. 
• Personal Statement Essay (max 1,000 words). Please use this essay to reflect on your intellectual development and experiences that have contributed to shaping or clarifying your trajectory.
• Resume/CV
• Unofficial transcripts.

Please note that not every scholarship this campus application covers is looking for the same qualities and experiences from candidates. So approach all parts of the application as opportunities to share information about yourself in various areas. But don't be dissuaded from applying if you are stronger, or have more to write about, in one area than another!

Please also note that the official Mitchell Scholarship application is very different from the UW campus application. Our campus application at this stage does not mirror the applications nominees will ultimately submit to any of these national competitions.

The Mitchell Scholars Program is a national competitive fellowship sponsored by the US-Ireland Alliance. The Mitchell Scholars Program, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to public service and community.

Robin Chang

Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards
171 Mary Gates Hall
Box 352803
Seattle, WA 98195-2803
Phone: 206-543-4282
Fax: 206-616-4389
E-mail: robinc@uw.edu

George J. Mitchell Scholarship website