Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $3,111,620 (FY 2024)
- Total Assets: $55,369,003 (FY 2024)
- Success Rate: Approximately 25% (40 fellows selected from 160 nominees)
- Decision Time: Approximately 4-5 months (November application to March 15 notification)
- Fellowship Award: $40,000 ($50,000 with spouse/dependent)
- Geographic Focus: National (39 partner colleges across the United States)
Contact Details
Website: https://watson.foundation
Address: 10 S Dearborn St # Il1-0111, Chicago, IL 60603
Primary Program: Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Program
For inquiries about the fellowship, students should contact their campus Watson liaison at one of the 39 partner institutions.
Overview
The Thomas J. Watson Foundation was established in 1961 as a charitable trust by Jeannette Watson in honor of her husband, Thomas J. Watson Sr., the legendary IBM leader. The foundation launched the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship program in 1968, followed by the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship in 1999. With assets of $55.4 million and annual giving of approximately $3.1 million, the foundation supports two distinct fellowship programs focused on "expanding the vision and developing the potential of remarkable students." The Watson Fellowship provides graduating college seniors with $40,000 for one year of independent study and travel outside the United States, emphasizing personal growth, leadership development, and cultural exploration. The foundation operates through an exclusive partnership with 39 highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities, which nominate candidates annually. Approximately 40 Watson Fellows are selected each year from 160 nominees, representing a success rate of about 25%.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
- Award Amount: $40,000 per fellow ($50,000 for fellows traveling with spouse or dependent)
- Number of Awards: Approximately 40 fellows selected annually
- Duration: One year of independent travel and study
- Additional Benefits:
- International health insurance coverage
- Reimbursement for 12 months of student loan payments
- Post-fellowship networking and alumni community
Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship (separate program)
- Three successive annual grants of $7,500, $9,000, and $10,000
- Plus $2,000 discovery fund
- Different eligibility criteria and application process
Priority Areas
The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship supports projects across all disciplines and interests. Recent fellows have pursued topics including:
- Community-centered artificial intelligence
- Sustainable agriculture and agroforestry
- End-of-life care practices across cultures
- Interfaith advocacy
- Indigenous technology integration
- Climate resilience
- Contemporary African art
- Disability care innovation
- Coastal conservation
- Modern opera and music healing
Project Selection Criteria - Person Markers:
- Leadership
- Imagination
- Independence
- Emotional maturity
- Courage
- Integrity
- Resourcefulness
- Responsibility
Project Selection Criteria - Project Markers:
- Organic (grows naturally from the applicant's background)
- Inspiring
- Open and flexible
- Bold yet realistic
- Connected with local communities
- Three-dimensional (multiple approaches)
What They Don't Fund
- Graduate school coursework or research
- Professional internships or career advancement activities
- Linear achievement-focused projects
- Projects that primarily retrace previous experiences
- Travel to countries where applicant has lived/studied for more than 4 weeks
- For international students: projects in their home country
Governance and Leadership
Board of Directors
- John N. Irwin III, Chairman - Co-founder of The Brookside Group
- David E. McKinney, President Emeritus
- Daniel L. Mosley - Partner at BDT & Company, serves on firm's Executive Committee
- Jeanne C. Olivier - Partner at Shearman & Sterling LLC, former Watson Fellow and Executive Director
- Fletcher Previn - Senior Vice President & Chief Digital Officer at Cisco
- Katherine Watson Shiatis - Educator and school administrator
- Stuart H. Watson - Founder and CEO of zFlo, Inc.
Key Staff
- Chris Kasabach, Executive Director and Board Member
- Sneha Subramanian, Associate Director of Thomas J. Watson Program
- Sara Nolfo, Director of Jeannette K. Watson Program
- Zach Bubolo, Director of Operations (15 years experience in higher education and non-profit)
- Sasha Burshteyn, Program Manager and Operations Coordinator (former Watson Fellow)
- Carlo Lindo, Program Manager
- Chris Hernandez, Information Systems Manager (20+ years IT experience)
- Oliver Hirshland, Operations Coordinator
- Erika Wang, Project Manager (former Jeannette K. Watson Fellow)
The leadership team includes several former fellows, bringing firsthand understanding of the fellowship experience to program administration.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
There is no public application process. The Watson Fellowship operates exclusively through 39 partner colleges and universities. Students cannot apply directly to the Watson Foundation.
Partner Institution Nomination Process:
- Eligibility: Only graduating seniors at the 39 partner institutions may apply
- Campus Process: Each college establishes its own internal application procedures and deadlines
- Nomination Limit: Each partner institution may nominate up to 4 candidates annually
- National Application: Nominated candidates submit applications to the Watson Foundation by the November deadline
Partner Institutions (39 total): Amherst College, Bard College, Bates College, Berea College, Bowdoin College, Bryn Mawr College, California Institute of Technology, Carleton College, Colby College, Colgate University, College of the Atlantic, Colorado College, Connecticut College, Davidson College, Earlham College, Grinnell College, Hamilton College, Harvey Mudd College, Haverford College, Hendrix College, Lawrence University, Macalester College, Middlebury College, Oberlin College, Pitzer College, Pomona College, Reed College, Rhodes College, Rice University, Scripps College, Sewanee: University of the South, Swarthmore College, Union College, University of Puget Sound, Ursinus College, Vassar College, Wellesley College, Wesleyan University, Wheaton College.
Application Requirements:
- Two essays (1,500 words each): personal statement and project proposal
- Two letters of recommendation (one from a professor; one from professor, advisor, supervisor, or coach)
- Interview with campus committee
- Finalist interview with Watson Foundation representative
Decision Timeline
- Campus Deadlines: Vary by institution (typically September-October)
- National Application Deadline: November
- Finalist Interviews: Mid-November through February
- Decision Notification: March 15 (annually)
- Notification Method: Email from the Watson Foundation
- Fellowship Begins: By August following graduation
Success Rates
- Nominees: 160 candidates (4 from each of 40 institutions)
- Fellows Selected: Approximately 40 annually
- Success Rate: ~25% of nominated candidates
- Note: Success at the campus level varies significantly by institution
Reapplication Policy
The search did not reveal explicit information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful candidates. Students should consult with their campus Watson liaison for guidance on whether reapplication is permitted if they were unsuccessful at either the campus or national level.
Application Success Factors
What the Foundation Looks For
The Watson Foundation evaluates applications based on three criteria: "person" markers, "project" markers, and the fit between person and project.
Strong Personal Qualities:
- Track record of following passionate interests over time
- Demonstrated leadership, imagination, and independence
- Emotional maturity and resourcefulness
- Courage to embrace uncertainty and potential failure
Compelling Project Characteristics:
- Organic: "Successful Watson Fellowship applications are built on a track record of following your passionate interest" - projects must grow authentically from the applicant's demonstrated experiences and values
- Bold: "You are encouraged to push the envelope and to stretch" - projects should venture into new territory while building on previous experiences
- Realistic: "The committee cares a lot about a project's attainability" - balance ambition with pragmatic planning
- Connected: Projects should engage meaningfully with local communities and cultures
Essay Strategy
Personal Essay (1,500 words):
- Explain how the project connects deeply to you as a person
- Demonstrate how it grows from your experiences and demonstrated concerns
- Articulate your values, priorities, and goals
- Discuss how you imagine being changed, educated, and rewarded by the project
Project Proposal (1,500 words):
- Show preparation through contacts, research, and planning
- Demonstrate realistic understanding of logistics and challenges
- Illustrate three-dimensional approach with multiple angles
- Avoid rigid itineraries; embrace flexibility and openness to discovery
Interview Preparation
- National interviews last approximately one hour with a Watson representative
- Expect questions about daily routines, excitement, definition of success, and handling failures
- Demonstrate enthusiasm, curiosity, and readiness through content and manner
- Campus liaisons typically provide mock interview preparation
- Show that the project is attainable through your preparation level
Timeline for Success
"Start 2-4 months before the internal deadline - and you'll have time to let the process unfold" - rushing the application undermines the reflective, organic quality the foundation seeks.
Recent Successful Projects (2023-2024)
- Sophie Demaisy (2024): Exploring sustainable agriculture through coffee production in Costa Rica, Brazil, Kenya, Madagascar, and Indonesia
- Leslie Villegas (2024): Examining how technology can enhance diverse ways of being in indigenous communities in the Philippines, Belize, Mexico, India, and Japan
- Emma Schaefer (2023-2024): "Listening at Dawn: Music That Heals the Planet" in Switzerland, Kenya, UAE, India, New Zealand, Easter Island, and UK
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
Note: This fellowship is not available to organizations seeking grants. The following guidance is for students at partner institutions:
- Institutional Access Only: You must attend one of the 39 partner colleges to be eligible - there is no pathway for students at non-partner institutions
- Start Building Your Case Early: Successful applications require a demonstrated track record of pursuing your passionate interest over time, not just senior year inspiration
- Embrace Bold but Achievable Vision: The foundation wants projects that "push the envelope" while remaining realistic and attainable
- Show Deep Personal Connection: Your project must grow organically from your demonstrated experiences, values, and interests - not appear manufactured for the application
- Plan for Flexibility: Projects should be open and three-dimensional, with room to adapt and discover, rather than rigid itineraries
- Connect Authentically: Demonstrate commitment to engaging meaningfully with local communities rather than extractive tourism or research
- Timeline Matters: With only 25% of nominees selected, invest 2-4 months in crafting your application and building strong relationships with recommenders and your campus liaison
References
- Watson Foundation Official Website - https://watson.foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)
- Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Program Information - https://watson.foundation/fellowships/tj (Accessed January 2026)
- Watson Fellowship FAQs - https://watson.foundation/fellowships/tj/faqs (Accessed January 2026)
- Watson Foundation Leadership - https://watson.foundation/about/leadership (Accessed January 2026)
- Watson Foundation History - https://watson.foundation/about/history (Accessed January 2026)
- Watson Fellowship Partner Institutions - https://watson.foundation/fellowships/tj/partners (Accessed January 2026)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Thomas J Watson Foundation Tr (EIN 357120359) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/357120359 (Accessed January 2026)
- "Announcing the 56th Class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows" - https://watson.foundation/about/news/2024-tj-press-release (Accessed January 2026)
- Watson Application Tips Webinar Transcript 2023 - https://watson.foundation/assets/site-images/JK-WebinarTranscript-Application-Tips-2023.pdf (Accessed January 2026)
- Multiple college fellowship office pages including Amherst College, Wellesley College, Grinnell College, Haverford College, Wesleyan University, and others (Accessed January 2026)