About the Program
The Thomas J. Watson Foundation inaugurated the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship in 1968 to give college graduates of unusual promise the freedom to engage in a year of independent study and travel abroad following their graduation.
The fellowship program provides fellows an opportunity for a focused and disciplined year of their own devising—a period in which they can have some surcease from the lockstep of prescribed educational and career paths in order to explore a particular interest thoroughly. During their year abroad, fellows have an unusual, sustained, and demanding opportunity to take stock of themselves, to test their aspirations and abilities, to view their lives and American society in greater perspective, and to develop a more informed sense of international concern.
Administered in cooperation with forty outstanding private colleges and universities throughout the United States, the Watson Fellowship provides a grant to each recipient. In addition, the foundation provides, (through reimbursement) health insurance and the equivalent of twelve-months of payments on outstanding institutional and federal guaranteed (Perkins, Stafford) loans. The purpose of the loan program is to help ease the financial burden of Watson Fellows during their fellowship year, and to provide encouragement for all students, regardless of student loan debt, to apply for Watson Fellowships.
AS OF 6/01/2026 UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND IS NO LONGER ABLE TO PUT FORWARD WATSON NOMINATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT MADISON HOWARD MHOWARD@PUGETSOUND.EDU TO DISCUSS ALTERNATIVE FELLOWSHIPS OPTIONS
Applicants are encouraged to meet with the Director for Fellowships for more information on applying for this award. Please call 253.879.3329 to make an appointment.
For more information, please contact Fellowships Office (Howarth 114) at fellowships@pugetsound.edu or visit the Watson Fellowship website.