Davidson Fellows - How to Apply


Davidson FellowsPlease read the following information before applying.

Eligibility
 
To be eligible for consideration as a 2009 Davidson Fellow, applicants must:
  • Be under 18 years of age as of October 1, 2009. Individuals born on or before October 1, 1991 are not eligible. 
  • Be a U.S. citizen residing in the United States, or a Permanent Resident of the United States residing in the United States.
  • There is no minimum age for eligibility.

Davidson Fellows must be available to attend, with at least one parent or guardian, the awards reception and other recognition events to be held in September 2009 in Washington, D.C. (Travel expenses and lodging will be provided by the Institute.)

Application Categories

Science - A project in a specific area of science, such as physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, earth science, space science, environmental science or medicine.

Mathematics - A project in a specific area of mathematics, such as calculus, fractals or number theory.

Technology - A project a specific area of technology, such as artificial intelligence or computer programming.

Music - A portfolio that is representative of the applicant's talent as a composer, vocalist, classical instrumentalist or other instrumentalist.

Literature - A portfolio displaying a number of literary styles and genres.

Philosophy - A portfolio presenting analyses of fundamental assumptions or beliefs relating to human thought or culture.

Outside the Box - A project that is university graduate level work or comparable and completed with the supervision of an expert or experts.

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship does not currently recognize projects in areas such as athletics, community service, social service, dance and performance art, visual art and/or fine arts. Projects in these areas are not considered Outside the Box. 

  

Project Criteria
 
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of significant work. Significant work is an accomplishment that experts in the field recognize as significant and has the potential to make a positive contribution to society. Such work may be:

  • an exceptionally creative application of existing knowledge
  • a new idea with high impact
  • an innovative solution with broad-range implications
  • an important advancement that can be replicated and built upon
  • an interdisciplinary discovery
  • a prodigious performance
  • another demonstration of extraordinary accomplishment
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program recognizes and awards the extraordinary. All submissions should reflect prodigious development of talents focused on creating something of significance in one of the Application Categories.

Read the Rules and Regulations for more project criteria.

   
Judges' Project Selection Scale
 
The following criteria, weighted as indicated below, will be used for the selection of Davidson Fellows:

50 Points

30 Points

20 Points

 The quality and scope of the entry.

 The level of signficance of the work.

The applicant's depth of knowledge and understanding of the work and the related domain area.


The selection of Davidson Fellows is strictly based upon the above criteria. The Davidson Institute does not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, ethnicity or physical disability. All selection decisions are final.

Each application is examined for completeness and accuracy. Qualified entries are evaluated by an independent team of judges comprised of professionals with expertise in related domain areas. The judges may, at their sole discretion, consult with additional experts to assist in evaluating the merits of any of the submissions. Based on the criteria specified, the independent team of judges selects the most extraordinary applicants to be named Davidson Fellows and determines the level of scholarship to be awarded: $50,000, $25,000 or $10,000.

All applicants are notified on or before July 15 each year.

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