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About the Thomas J. Watson Foundation THE THOMAS J. WATSON FOUNDATION 217 ANGELL STREET PROVIDENCE, RI 02906-2120 Telephone: 401-274-1952 Fax: 401-274-1954 E-mail: TJWAT@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU THE THOMAS J. WATSON FOUNDATION in 1968 inaugurated the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Program to enable college graduates of exceptional promise to engage in a year of independent study and travel abroad following graduation. The Foundation provides Fellows an opportunity for a focused and disciplined Wanderjahr of their own devising--time in which to explore with thoroughness a particular interest, test their aspirations and abilities, view their lives and American society in greater perspective and, concomitantly, to develop a more informed sense of international concern. The Fellowship experience is intended to provide Fellows an opportunity to immerse themselves in cultures other than their own for an entire year. Administered in cooperation with fifty one outstanding private colleges and universities throughout the United States, the Watson Fellowship provides a modest stipend to each recipient. Fellows whose spouse or dependent child will accompany them may be eligible for a larger stipend. Participating Institutions (1995-1996) Amherst College -- Austin College -- Babson College Bates College -- Berea College -- Birmingham-Southern College Bowdoin College -- Bryn Mawr College -- California Institute of Technology Carleton College -- Claremont McKenna College -- Colby College Colgate University -- The College of the Atlantic -- College of the Holy Cross The College of Wooster -- Colorado College -- Connecticut College Davidson College -- Earlham College -- Grinnell College Hamilton College -- Harvey Mudd College -- Haverford College Hendrix College -- Kalamazoo College -- Knox College Lawrence University -- Middlebury College -- Newcombe College of Tulane University Oberlin College -- Occidental College -- Pitzer College Pomona College -- Reed College -- Rice University St. Lawrence University -- Scripps College -- Spelman College Swarthmore College -- Trinity College (CT) -- Union College University of Puget Sound -- The University of the South -- Vassar College Wellesley College -- Wesleyan University -- Whitman College Williams College History THE THOMAS J. WATSON FOUNDATION was founded in 1961 as a charitable trust by Mrs. Thomas J. Watson, Sr., in honor of her late husband, the founder of IBM. The Foundation initially used its resources in support of a variety of programs. In 1968, in recognition of Mr. and Mrs. Watson's long-standing interest in education and world affairs, their children--the late Mrs. Helen W. Buckner, the late Mrs. John N. Irwin II, the late Mr. Arthur K. Watson, and the late Mr. Thomas J. Watson, Jr.--decided that the fellowship program should constitute the major activity of the Foundation. Since that date, approximately 2,000 Watson Fellowship awards have been made with stipends totaling over $21,000,000. In the selection of Watson Fellows, they seek to identify individuals who demonstrate integrity, strong ethical character, intelligence, the capacity for vision and leadership, and potential for humane and effective participation in the world community. A candidate's academic record, while not of primary importance, is considered together with those extracurricular activities which reflect both initiative and a commitment to the candidate's particular area of interest. The candidate's proposed project should involve investigation into an area of demonstrated concern and personal interest. Furthermore, because the year's experience may not involve extended formal study at a foreign university, the project should be one which may be pursued with great independence and adaptability. In short, the project should be creative, feasible, and personally significant. The Foundation requires all Fellows to maintain contact with the Foundation during their year abroad, to submit quarterly progress reports and, upon concluding the Fellowship, to submit a final report of the Fellowship year and an accounting of Fellowship funds. The Fellowship is taxable and must be reported by recipients as income. Taxes are not withheld by the Foundation. The Foundation welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and academic disciplines. All graduating seniors at participating institutions are eligible for nomination by their institution. Nominations and applications should reach the Foundation by the November of the year before graduation. A representative of the Foundation visits each campus to interview nominees during the fall and winter months. Sixty Watson Fellows are selected each year, and the awards are announced in March. Back