The Watson Fellowship is a one-year grant for independent exploration and travel outside of the United States in the year following graduation from college.
More information on the .
See for Info Sessions- If you were unable to attend, watch the video below.
(recorded March 2021)
Watch a for more about the Watson experience.
Provides $40,000 to cover one year of travel and related project expenses. It also covers one year of federal and institutional student loans payments. Approximately 40 Watson fellows are selected from 160 candidates nominated by participating institutions.
Seniors, no citizenship restrictions, no GPA restrictions.
Preliminary Application: Submit beginning April 15. This is a flexible deadline.
Nomination Application Deadline: September 4, 2025 (noon ET)
Watson Final Deadline: November 5th, 2025 12pm ET
Look at the . Review the
1. Submit a preliminary application in to begin the application process. Do this by April 15 if possible, but we accept later applications too. We need this information to register you for the Watson online application. Preview the .
2. Complete the requested portions of Watson online application (listed in MiddApply) and other required items in Middlebury Apply by the September internal nomination deadline. No late applications will be accepted.
3. Selected applicants will be invited to interview with the committee in late September/early October. Four nominees and one alternate will be selected.
4. Nominees will work with the fellowships advisor in preparing their final application. A representative from the Watson Foundation interviews the nominees on campus late fall or winter. Awardees are notified in mid-March.
Lisa Gates, Associate Dean for Fellowships and Research
Davis Family Library 212
lgates@middlebury.edu
(802) 443-3183
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