Are you a creative thinker who thrives on discovery? Are you ready to dive deep into what matters most to you? Ursinus is one of only forty-one colleges in the United States eligible to nominate students for the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, which enables graduates from small liberal arts colleges to do just that.

What is the Watson?

The Thomas J. Wat­son Fel­low­ship is a one-year grant for pur­pose­ful, inde­pen­dent explo­ration out­side the Unit­ed States, award­ed to grad­u­at­ing seniors nom­i­nat­ed by one of 41 part­ner insti­tu­tions.

Watson Foundation

Watson Fellows travel the world for a year pursuing an independent project of their own design. They forge lifelong friendships and connections; learn to navigate metropolitan cities and remote villages; and travel all seven continents by plane, train, bus, bicycle, and more. View the profiles below to learn more about Ursinus Watson Fellows, and see how their year-long adventures informed their life’s journey.

Who should apply?

Seniors with an enduring personal or intellectual passion, driven by curiosity, and hungry for new experiences

It is never too early to learn more about the Watson Fellowship.

On campus, contact Meredith Goldsmith and Talia Argondezzi, co-chairs of the Watson Fellowship Committee.

Follow @ursinus_watsonfellowship on Instagram to keep up to date on deadlines and to learn more about past award winners. 

Request to join the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Canvas page by contacting Talia Argondezzi to access more information and see the Watson checklist if you are thinking about or in the process of applying.

Joey Nolan '24 has earned a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship.
Environmental Studies and Theater Major Earns Prestigious Watson Fellowship

Joey Nolan ’24 will travel to five countries to engage with different forms of theater during his “Watson year” through a yearlong grant that allows recent college graduates to explore the world abroad.

Paige Bristow
Paige Bristow ’23 Selected as Watson Fellow

Every year, Ursinus is one of approximately 40 schools to nominate four students for the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, a postgraduate grant that allows recipients to follow their dreams around the globe. In 2023, Paige Bristow is one of 41 college seniors to win one.

watson finalist grid 2022
Four Seniors Named Finalists of Prestigious Watson Fellowship
If you could get paid to travel the world for a year pursuing a passion project of your own invention, what would you do? For this year’s four Watson Fellow nominees, the prospective pursuits are elder care, animals, woman leaders, and snow.