Next deadline: April 2025 (application opens early February 2025)
Recorded info session (opens external site; scroll to bottom the page).
Samvid Scholars invests in future leaders committed to effective positive change in the world. The program provides up to $100,000 ($50,000/year over two years) for tuition and fees for students entering graduate schools in the United States. In addition, Scholars will engage in leadership development, service projects, and other learning opportunities. They will also be part of a growing community of alumni that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and life-long relationships. Each year, the program selects about 20 Scholars who have exceptional records of achievement and are driven to make an impact.
Prospective applicants should make an individual advising appointment with Keila Diehl, the Samvid Scholars campus representative.
Eligibility Requirements
An eligible candidate for 2025 selection will:
• pursue a full-time graduate program of two years or longer at a U.S. university in one of the following eligible programs: MD, MBA, JD, MPP/MPA, MPH, MS/MA in the social science or STEM (check program website to see if your MA/MS program is eligible)
• be a first-year graduate student for the 2025–2026 academic year
• have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5
• be a U.S. citizen or DACA recipient
Selection Criteria
Applicants are evaluated holistically based on the following criteria:
• Academic excellence: You have an excellent academic record, reflecting your critical thinking ability, your drive, and your interest in your academic field.
• Leadership: You have an outstanding track record of leading efforts that deliver results. You also have a leader’s mindset: you are optimistic, self-reliant, and strive to learn from and inspire those with whom you work.
• Mission: You are committed to driving change for society through your leadership. You are fundamentally motivated by the impact of your achievements on others’ lives.
• Bias towards action: When you see problems, you not only seek to understand them, but also take action to drive change. You have developed and operationalized solutions to the issue/issues about which you are most passionate.
• Determination: You have worked steadfastly over the long term to make impact on the issues and/or communities which matter to you, even in the face of setbacks.
Application Requirements
• 3 short essays (500 words each)
• Video response
• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all higher education institutions that provided or will provide you with a degree
• Standardized test scores, if required by graduate program to which you are applying
• Information about planned graduate study
For more information about this opportunity, visit the Samvid Scholars website (opens external site).