PURPOSE
The Mitchell Scholarship provides
financial assistance for graduate study to conduct research at designated institutions
of higher learning in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, for one
academic year.
HISTORY
The
George J. Mitchell Scholarships were established in 1998, and are named in
honor of the former U.S. Senator who served as Chairman of the peace
negotiations in Northern Ireland. Under his leadership, an historic accord, which
ended decades of conflict, was agreed upon by the governments of Ireland and
the United Kingdom as well as the political parties of Northern Ireland. In May
1998, the agreement was overwhelmingly endorsed by the voters of Ireland, North
and South, in a referendum. Senator Mitchell's leadership earned him worldwide
praise and a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. His life and career have embodied a
deep commitment to public service. That commitment to serve community and
country, along with his personal characteristics, are the qualities the U.S.-Ireland
Alliance seeks in Mitchell Scholars. As the goal of the Mitchell Scholarships
is to interest the next generation of American leaders in the island of
Ireland, Scholars will be encouraged to avail themselves of the various
educational and social opportunities offered to them during their stay by
members and friends of the U.S.-Ireland Alliance.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens,
permanent residents of the U.S., persons in the process of becoming U.S.
citizens or permanent residents, and permanent residents of the Northern
Mariana Islands. Applicants must be at least 18 years old or older but not yet
30 years old on October 1, 2003.
Eligibility is limited to students who
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 that indicate a potential
for future leadership and contributions to society. Applicants must be endorsed
by an institution where he or she will have completed two years of full-time
study before October 1, 2004. It is preferred that applicants in their first
year of graduate study receive an endorsement from the undergraduate
institution from which they graduated; for those in their second or later year
of graduate study, the preference is for the endorsement to come from the
graduate institution.
ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF
STUDY
There are no restrictions as to academic
fields of study, although the proposed course of study must be available at the
university elected by the applicant and the applicant's undergraduate program
must provide sufficient basis for study in the proposed field. As
institutional balance will be a factor in the selection process, an applicant's
likelihood of being selected is increased if the applicant expresses a
willingness to attend more than one of the eligible institutions.
AWARD
The universities participating in the
Mitchell Program generously contribute tuition and room for the Scholar. In
addition, each Scholar will receive a stipend of $11,000 to cover other necessary
expenses for the term of study. This stipend will be paid in two equal parts
directly to the Scholar. The U.S.-Ireland Alliance will assist successful
applicants with their traveling expenses to and from Ireland and Northern
Ireland. Usit Now, Ireland's leading travel service for students, will
contribute a IR£750 travel stipend to each Mitchell Scholar.
APPLICATION
PROCESS
Prospective Scholars must meet with the Undergraduate Center
for National Fellowship Competitions to discuss the GW application process.
To request an appointment, please call 202-994-0517 or e-mail Amira Tart,
Fellowship Coordinator, atart@gwu.edu. The GW internal deadline is 3 September 2004. All materials are due to The US-Ireland Alliance
on 10 October
2004.
Application
materials can be found online.
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