McDonnell International Scholars Academy Fellowship 2025-2026 at Washington University
- Omran Aburayya
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
If you are a committed scholar with leadership potential and global vision, the McDonnell International Scholars Academy Fellowship 2025-2026 offers an exceptional route to pursue a Master’s or PhD at WashU, fully supported and enriched with leadership, mentorship, and cultural experiences. Applications are now open for this prestigious global graduate fellowship that seeks to cultivate future leaders from diverse backgrounds.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Host Institution: Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) / McDonnell International Scholars Academy
Study Level: Master’s & Doctoral (graduate)
Target Group: International and domestic students applying to eligible graduate programs
Focus: Open across a breadth of disciplines (graduate & professional degree programs affiliated with WashU)
Value & Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, relocation/travel allowances, cohort housing, professional development & programmatic support
Duration: Aligned with duration of admitted grad program (varies by discipline)
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025 for the 2025-26 cohort
Start Date / Intake: Fall 2025 intake at WashU
Eligible To: Applicants from all nationalities. Priority is often given to graduates of partner universities in McDonnell’s network.
📚 Fellowship Overview
The McDonnell International Scholars Academy is a university-wide initiative at WashU that spans all its schools. It selects graduate students who display leadership potential, global awareness, and academic excellence.
As a McDonnell Scholar, you're not just funded — you're enrolled in a structured program that includes leadership seminars, cohort travel, community service, communication training, and close mentorship. Scholars live in cohort housing near WashU’s Danforth campus, interact frequently through Scholar-led events, and engage in cross-cultural dialogue.
A hallmark is the signature programming:
A First-Year Leadership Seminar to build foundational leadership skills.
Cohort Trips (often to Washington D.C. or New York) to expose scholars to national institutions, policy, business, and public life.
Communication & Presentation Training, including frameworks like “PhD-in-3D” (presenting your research in three minutes with one slide) and “Global Leadership Visions.”
Community service, peer engagements, scholar retreats, and Lunch with a Leader events connecting scholars with global professionals.
Alumni, faculty, and the global network become intellectual and professional resources. The Academy also provides seed funding opportunities for collaborative research projects across partner institutions.
🎁 Benefits & Coverage
McDonnell Scholars receive a robust package combining financial support and programmatic enrichment. Key benefits include:
Full tuition coverage for the eligible WashU graduate program
Generous monthly living stipend to support day-to-day expenses
One-time relocation allowance (for moving to St. Louis) + travel allowance for program-related activities
Access to private, modern cohort housing within walking distance of campus
Leadership training, seminars, and workshops tailored to building skills in cross-discipline leadership, value-based decision-making, and global engagement
Mentorship from distinguished faculty, with personalized guidance over academic and professional trajectories
Immersive cultural and cohort experiences, including annual trips to Washington D.C./New York, research symposia, and local community engagement in St. Louis
Communications training to sharpen writing, presenting, and interpersonal communication across contexts
Global network of scholars & alumni, cross-institution partnerships, and access to academic, policy, and industry events
Opportunity for seed funding for collaborative research projects involving WashU and partner institutions
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the McDonnell Fellowship 2025-26, applicants must generally satisfy:
Graduate Program Application: You must apply (or have applied) to an eligible graduate/doctoral or master’s degree program at WashU. The McDonnell fellowship is in addition to the regular program application.
Bachelor’s Degree Requirement: You must have earned or be on track to complete a bachelor’s degree (or higher) by the start of the academic year. The fellowship is not for undergraduates.
Global and Leadership Potential: Demonstrated academic excellence, leadership experiences, cross-cultural engagement, and interest in global issues are key selection criteria.
Eligibility Across Nationalities: Open to applicants worldwide. However, priority often goes to candidates from WashU’s partner universities and to international graduate candidates.
Not a Continuing WashU Graduate: Typically, current WashU graduate students are not eligible unless they are beginning a new, eligible program.
📝 Application Procedure
Here’s a step-by-step and what you’ll need:
Apply to a WashU Graduate Program: First, submit your application to a WashU master’s or doctoral program through the graduate admissions portal. See eligible master's & PhD programs here
McDonnell Fellowship Application: If your program is eligible, you’ll be able to apply for the McDonnell Fellowship via a link in your WashU application status page.
Submit by January 31, 2025: All materials, essays, video, recommendation(s), etc., must be in by the stated deadline.
Review & Interview: Applications are reviewed by committees; selected candidates may be asked for interviews.
Final Selection & Notification: Final decisions are communicated by mid-March to April, aligning with WashU admissions timelines.
🗂️ Required Documents & Components
Personal Statement / Essay (often 750 words or less)
Short Video (e.g. 2-minute prompt)
Letters of Recommendation (especially addressing leadership, character)
Academic transcripts, diplomas, proof of degree or expected graduation
CV or résumé
(If applicable) Any additional materials requested by your graduate program
ℹ️ Extra Tips & Insights
Check Eligible Programs: Not every WashU graduate program is automatically eligible; confirm your desired program qualifies for McDonnell fellowship consideration.
Priority for Partner University Graduates: If you graduated from any of the McDonnell Academy’s 30+ partner institutions, you may receive preferential consideration.
Craft the Video Carefully: The short video is your chance to convey your personality, motivation, and leadership potential beyond what papers can show.
Align With the Academy’s Pillars: Demonstrate in your essays and materials how your aspirations match the McDonnell pillars — global mindset, leadership, and community engagement.
Leverage the Network: Even before acceptance, familiarize yourself with the McDonnell network, alumni, and past scholars for insight.
Be Punctual and Complete: Incomplete or late applications are disqualified; ensure all parts (video, essays, rec letters) are submitted before the deadline.
The McDonnell International Scholars Academy Fellowship 2025-2026 is among the most holistic and prestigious graduate support programs in the U.S., blending high-value funding with leadership, communication, and global engagement training.