Eligibility & Requirements

The 2026 Bonderman Fellowship application cycle is now open. Applications are due January 14, 2026 before 5:00pm. Please read all sections of this page. We also encourage you to attend an information session.

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2026 Fellowship Components                     Eligibility                    Criteria                    Fellowship Requirements

2026 FELLOWSHIP COMPONENTS

• Each Bonderman Fellow will receive $26,000.
• Fellows travel independently for eight months, exploring six to nine countries in a minimum of two and a maximum of three distinct world regions.
• Fellows embark on their travels between September 01, 2026 and August 31, 2027

Apply Now

Applications are due January 14, 2026 before 5 PM PST.

ELIGIBILITY

In 2026, the Bonderman Fellowship will offer University of Washington undergraduate graduating seniors, graduate and professional students from the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell campuses an opportunity to engage in independent international travel. Open to all fields of study. Students with limited/no international experience are particularly encouraged to apply. Undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds are also particularly encouraged to apply.

• Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Be enrolled in a University of Washington degree program.
  • Graduate/professional students must be enrolled in a degree program the quarter the application is due (Winter Quarter 2026).
    • On leave status is not considered “enrolled”.
    • Professional students include those in Law (JD), Medicine (MD), Dentistry (DDS), and Pharmacy (PharmD) degree programs.
  • Undergraduate applicants must be planning to graduate in winter 2026, spring 2026, summer 2026 or autumn 2026 and must be enrolled in at least two quarters between autumn 2025 and autumn 2026.
    • If you are not graduating in winter 2026, spring 2026, summer 2026 or autumn 2026, you are not eligible to apply this year.
    • If you are selected as a Bonderman Fellow, you must graduate before you start your travels.
    • Please see additional preferences for undergraduates below.
• Be in good academic, conduct and disciplinary standing during the quarter the application is due.
• If awarded, good academic, disciplinary and conduct standing is a prerequisite of receiving the fellowship.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Bonderman Fellowships introduce students to cultures, peoples, and areas of the world with which they are not familiar, therefore the criteria used in selecting fellows are:

• Has had little to no international experience.
  • We understand that no situation is the same and many students will have some previous international experience. We are particularly interested in how the Bonderman Fellowship would be different than your previous experience(s). 
• Proposes travel to countries that would be a new challenge for them. 
  • Travel to highly westernized/developed areas (including Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) is not competitive.
  • Travel for academic (e.g. research) or professional reasons is not competitive.
• Has the skills necessary for independent solo travel, including self-awareness, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, resilience and fortitude. We are looking for candidates who:
  • Show potential for thoughtful participation in the global community
  • Describe goals for personal growth in their proposal
  • Have strong potential for transformation–are reflective and open to learning
  • Are curious about people and considerate of different perspectives; are likely to remain aware that they are ambassadors of the program, the UW, and the U.S. 
  • Have good problem-solving, conflict resolution and coping strategies for challenges

The Bonderman selection committee will evaluate applications based on the following questions:

• Has the applicant had international experience and does the proposed itinerary challenge them? 
• Is the itinerary carefully planned and feasible for the applicant?
• Is the applicant’s purpose for travel personal or academic/professional?  
• Does the applicant reflect on mistakes and are they open to learning?
• Do they take responsibility for themselves (describe their needs and propose plans for self-care)?
• Is the applicant curious about people and are they considerate of different perspectives and practices?
• Can they resolve a conflict?
• Does the applicant describe strong coping mechanisms for dealing with setbacks and disappointments?
• Are they flexible and do they have good problem-solving strategies?

For undergraduate applicants, review and interview committees will give preference in the selection process to undergraduate applications that demonstrate these characteristics/backgrounds:

• Applicants from low-income backgrounds, who have received need-based financial aid, or those who have not/would not generally have the opportunity to travel independently.
• Applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to public service and plan to pursue a future career in public service. We welcome a wide range of public service interests and types of service. Public service careers can happen in all realms (government, nonprofit, or private sector) and all fields through which you intend to work toward solving the world’s most complex problems and enriching the lives of others (teachers, community organizers, scientists, entrepreneurs, socially impactful businesses, arts, etc.). Past majors of Bonderman Fellows include music, social work, neuroscience, international studies, communication, industrial design, and more.
• Applicants who carefully plan to deepen their experience in each country on their itinerary, ideally spending more than one month in most countries.
• Applicants who approach their Bonderman travels as a continuation of their educational experience, rather than as an award, reward, vacation or time off.
• Please see FAQs for more details!

GUIDELINES

Bonderman Fellowships enable students to undertake independent international travel to explore, be open to the unexpected, and come to know the world in new ways. An applicant need not have a travel theme or project. This journey is intended to foster independence, therefore fellows may not:

• participate in a program or organization;
• engage in formal study at a university;
• conduct research or other academic projects; or
• engage in extended travel with an organized group while carrying out the obligations of the fellowship.

Your itinerary cannot include countries that have US State Department Level 3 or 4 travel warnings. Please carefully review the State Department’s information about each country you list on your itinerary.

REQUIREMENTS

During their fellowship travel, all fellows are required to:

1. Adhere to their pre-approved itinerary;
2. Regularly check-in with Bonderman staff while abroad;
3. Have UW Student Abroad Insurance for entirety of their fellowship;
4. Abide by UW Global Travel Security recommendations and requirements; and
5. Adhere to their pre-approved itinerary.

PREPARATION FOR TRAVEL

New Bonderman Fellows receive extensive support from Bonderman staff between their selection and departure on their Bonderman trip. While fellows are expected to lead itinerary development and preparation for their fellowship (including booking flights, researching their activities, medical and logistical preparations, etc.), Bonderman staff provide guidance and support to new fellows, as well as provide opportunities for them to connect with each other and with Bonderman alumni. Pre-departure, fellows:

• Attend a mandatory orientation;
• Have individual meetings with Bonderman staff (~3 meetings);
• Have opportunities to connect with past and traveling fellows;
• Finalize and obtain itinerary approval from Bonderman staff and the UW Office of Global Affairs.