Graduate/professional applications are coordinated by the Office of Fellowships and Awards in the Graduate School. Undergraduate applications are coordinated by the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards. More details about each stage of the application process are outlined below.
Timeline
The application and selection timeline is subject to change, please check this website for annual updates. In 2023-24, the timeline is as follows:
- Application opens November 20, 2023.
- Application closes January 16, 2024 at 12:00pm (noon) PDT.
- Interviews for finalists are conducted in early Spring quarter.
- Decisions are announced mid-Spring quarter.
SELECTION PROCESS
We are searching for applicants who are curious, open, and creative. We seek those who demonstrate self-knowledge, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills and interests, and resilience and fortitude. We look for proposals that balance challenging the applicant in new ways with careful planning and thoughtful engagement with those challenges.
Diverse backgrounds, embodiments and experiences are essential to the critical thinking endeavor at the heart of University education. Bonderman fellows, staff, committee, and applicants are expected to:
- To respect individual differences, which may include, but are not limited to, age, cultural background, disability, ethnicity, family status, gender, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and veteran status.
- To engage respectfully in the discussion of diverse worldviews and ideologies, application materials and interviews, including those that are at odds with personal beliefs and values.
After the application deadline
- A selection committee of past Bonderman fellows, UW faculty and UW staff reviews all applications.
- 20-24 finalists are chosen.
- Finalists are invited for an interview.
Interviews
- Interviews last about 30 minutes.
- They may be in person or virtual.
- Interview panels consist of 4-5 past fellows, UW faculty and UW staff from all three campuses, who:
- Have an interest in and experience with international travel, international work and student development;
- Come from different disciplines, personal identities and lived experiences.
- Questions focus on the applicant’s proposal, motivation for having applied, the proposed itinerary, any issues that might arise, etc.
NEW FELLOW PREPARATION & REQUIREMENTS
New fellows receive extensive support from Bonderman staff in between their selection and departure on their fellowship. 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 all new fellows, as well as provide opportunities for them to connect with each other and past fellows. Pre-departure, fellows:
- Attend a mandatory cohort 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 Global Travel Security.
During their fellowship travel, all fellows are required to:
- Have UW Student Abroad Insurance for entirety of fellowship;
- Regularly check-in with Bonderman staff while abroad;
- Adhere to their pre-approved itinerary; and
- Abide by UW Global Travel Security recommendations and requirements.