Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship

The Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship is a three-year, cohort-based program that provides funded summer internships, seminars, mentoring, cultural events, and a Discovery Fund for further professional exploration. It supports promising undergraduate students from 12 New York City partner institutions to pursue domestic and international summer internships and professional development. Fellows participate in summer internships each year, an ongoing seminar series, and cohort activities including orientations and annual reflection meetings. The program emphasizes cross-cultural exploration, professional experience, and peer networking.

Funded summer internships (domestic and international), Discovery Fund for research/fieldwork/conferences/entrepreneurial ventures, seminar series, mentoring, cultural events, cohort network.

Applicants must be second-semester freshmen or sophomores nominated by one of 12 New York City partner colleges; 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); and be no older than 21 years old as of the application deadline (February 11, 2026).

Be nominated by one of 12 partner colleges; complete application including three essays, two recommendations, resume, transcript; complete campus selection process (each partner may nominate up to four candidates) and participate in citywide selection.