Mitchell Scholarship
The George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program is a national, competitive scholarship sponsored by the US-Ireland Alliance. The scholarship, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell’s pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, allows future American leaders to build connections and relationships with the people 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 from a pool of approximately 300 applicants for one academic year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning on the island of Ireland, which includes Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Mitchell Scholarship Program provides tuition, accommodation, a cash stipend for living expenses, and a travel stipend. The application is due by 4:00 PM Central on September 30th. The process also includes a video portion, which occurs in the format of a recorded online interview within 72 hours of submitting your application. Detailed instructions are sent to you upon submission and we will practice with you.
Mitchell Scholars may study or conduct research at institutions of higher learning including the seven universities in Ireland, the two universities in Northern Ireland, and two of the Institutes in Dublin: Dublin City University; Technological University Dublin; Dun Laoghaire IADT; National University of Ireland, Galway; National University of Ireland, Maynooth University; Queen's University of Belfast; Trinity College Dublin; University College Cork; University College Dublin; University of Limerick; and Ulster University. The US-Ireland Alliance instructs you to choose at least three universities at which to study and allows you to select up to five. If you submit an application that indicates fewer than three possible universities where you could study, you will weaken your candidacy. Choosing these 3+ universities will require careful study and research because you must propose the particular program of study you would pursue at each of the institutions you list, and if you are selected to be a Mitchell Scholar, you will be assigned based on the programs you identify in the application. Extensive information on these universities, their programs, and the education system in Ireland is available here.
Application Criteria
- Scholarship
- Leadership
- A sustained commitment to community and public service
The words “sustained commitment” are vital. For each of the Mitchell’s three selection criteria, your ability to demonstrate a record of achievement or investment in each of their categories—your academics, your leadership, and your service—is crucial to your candidacy.
Key Facts
- Information about the Mitchell Scholarship can be found here
- You can access further information about the Mitchell Scholarship on the US-Ireland Alliance YouTube channel. The videos are brief, but it would be wise and to your advantage to watch them. Trina Vargo, the president of the US-Ireland Alliance, is the speaker in many of them. There are also videos featuring past Mitchell Scholars who describe their experience studying in Ireland.
Contact Dr. Andy Hogue (andrew_hogue@baylor.edu) or Dr. Daniel Benyousky (daniel_benyousky@baylor.edu) for more details.