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Fellowships

Vassar College

Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Program

Campus Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern

The Thomas J. Wat­son Fel­low­ship is a one-year grant for pur­pose­ful, inde­pen­dent explo­ration out­side the Unit­ed States, award­ed to grad­u­at­ing seniors nom­i­nat­ed by one of 41 part­ner insti­tu­tions.

The Watson Fellowship is a rare window after college and pre-career to engage your deepest interest on a global scale. Fellows conceive original projects, execute them outside of the United States for one year and embrace the ensuing journey. They decide where to go, who to meet and when to change course. They do not affiliate with academic institutions and may not hold formal employment.

The program produces a year of personal insight, perspective and confidence that shapes the arc of fellows' lives. Started in 1968, Watson Fellows comprise leaders in every field. The one year stipend is $40,000. In addition, the foundation provides health insurance and other benefits.  

The mission of the Watson is to offer college graduates of unusual promise a year of independent, purposeful exploration and travel outside of the United States in order to enhance their capacity for resourcefulness, imagination, openness, and leadership and to foster their humane and effective participation in the world community. Read more about the Person and Project Selection Criteria.

Watch the Watson Webinar!

CAMPUS DEADLINE: September 30, this includes all letters of recommendation

Next steps

  1. Carefully review all available material on the Watson website, including the webinar and FAQ sections.
  2. Review our Tips for Writing Your Watson Proposal document.
  3. Schedule a "Fellowships Advising" appointment on Handshake.
  4. Email fellowships@vassar.edu to request an account on the Watson Application Portal. 
  5. Contact your referees as soon as possible. Once you create an account and indicate who your referees will be, they will automatically receive an email with instructions and the appropriate form for the letter. View a sample of the recommendation form. The recommendations should be submitted online via the Watson application portal on or before October 1st for review by the campus Watson Selection Committee.
  6. Submit your final application through the Watson Portal by the campus deadline. To do so, your application must be completed and saved in the Watson online portal by 11:59 PM ET on September 30, 2026. After you have completed and saved your application on the portal for campus review, please send an email confirming that you have done so to fellowships@vassar.edu.
  7. Semi-finalists will be invited to interview with Vassar's Watson Selection Committee.
  8. Up to four (4) finalists will be nominated for an interview with the Watson Foundation.

Important Hints and Warning

You must think about traveling beyond places where you have lived, studied, or traveled before for any significant period of time. Your proposed project must not represent a return to the study abroad experience and/or other location where you have spent time. You cannot travel to any countries that are currently on a  US State Department Level 3 or 4 (or areas within countries listed as “Do Not Travel” and “Reconsider Travel”), on Treasury Embargo, or designated CDC Level 3.

Past Watson Fellows from Vassar

Learn more about Vassar's past Watson Fellows!