Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship
Overview
The Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship is a three year, cohort-based program that provides funded summer internships and unprecedented opportunities to promising undergraduate students from 12 New York City partner institutions.

Program Features
Fellows are provided with annual funding up to $7,500, $9,000 and $10,000 in addition to a $2,000 Discovery Fund to develop their personal, professional, and cultural potential.Internships
In NYC and overseas, Watson partners with leading nonprofit, for-profit, and government organizations. Internships empower fellows to widen their view of the workplace and deepen their experience in fields of interest.
Discovery Fund
The Discovery Fund extends a fellow’s ability to self-initiate further professional exploration including research, fieldwork, conferences, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Seminars
Fellows participate in a seminar series designed to help them build confidence, perspective and understanding of the work world and themselves.
Cultural Events
Fellows attend a series of engaging cultural events that allow them to discover the diversity of New York City and encourage them to explore it further.
Journals
Paired with a thoughtful, experienced reader, fellows engage in an ongoing dialog during the summer to help them process the internship experience and potential career paths.
Cohort
Each Watson cohort is a close-knit group of peers with a variety of backgrounds and interests. Fellows inspire each other and become part of a lifelong network.
Mentoring
Watson staff, journal readers, and internship supervisors provide guided mentorship to help fellows personalize and deepen their fellowship experience.
Become a Watson Fellow
Am I Eligible?
You must be a second semester freshman or sophomore nominated by one of 12 New York City partner colleges. At the time of nomination you must:
-intend to or be majoring in a liberal arts discipline*
-have at least four semesters of full-time academic work remaining
-be an American citizen or green card holder (not on an international visa)
-be no older than 21 years old as of the application deadline (February 15, 2023)
-due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, you must be up to date with your Covid-19 vaccinations
*Some exceptions apply. Please contact your Watson campus advisor for complete program details.
The foundation's vision and values grow from the belief that a diversity of people, ideas, and experiences is critical to creating more humane and effective leaders. Watson Fellows are selected without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.
Selection Criteria
Qualities sought in the selection of fellows include:
High Standards
Ambition
Openness
Desire to explore diverse cultures and new professional fields
Willingness to act on feedback
Leadership
Ability to work in groups
Integrity & Accountability
- Strong academic record
Candidates applying to the Fellowship: please see our FAQ section for a more detailed explanation of our selection criteria.
Fellow Expectations
- Attend the award reception (April)
- Attend the three-day orientation
(late May-early June) - Engage in three summers of diverse domestic and international internships, each 8-10 weeks, completing weekly journals
- Engage in weekly summer seminars and events
- Participate in several term-time events (Saturdays, evenings)
- Attend an annual campus visit (fall)
- Attend the annual Watson Finale (fall)
Application Process
1. Ensure eligibility
2. Contact your campus advisor
3. Complete the application including:
- One 500 word essay
- One 250 word essay
- One 150 word essay
- Two Recommendations
- Resume
- Transcript
4. Complete the campus selection process
Each partner college may nominate up to four candidates to be considered in the citywide selection process. Please ask your campus advisor about internal campus deadlines. Citywide selection and award announcements take place in late March. Fellows are referred to their first internships in early April.