To: Prospective Watson Fellowship Candidates

From: Véronique Plesch, Watson Liaison & Chair, Colby Watson Committee

Subject: Watson Fellowship Application Materials and Procedures REQUIRED MATERIALS DUE BY 12:00 PM ON Friday, OCTOBER 2, 2026

1. The application consists of several important elements

• Personal Statement (1,200 words maximum)
• Project Proposal (1,200 words maximum)
• Title and Abstract (100 words maximum)
• Additional Materials. Space for three, including:
  • Budget
  • List of Contacts in Project Countries
  • You may upload images or recording in the third
• Personal Information (Address, DOB, etc., contact information)
• Postgraduate Plans (brief)
• Medical Information
• Brief Biographical Abstract
• Activities on Campus (student organizations, sports, employment, etc.)
• Awards
• Employment History
• Educational History
• Past Travel
• Languages Spoken in Project Countries and Your Fluency
• Other Language Spoken
• PDF Scan of an Unofficial Copy of Your Transcript
• Headshot (Passport size)

2. Once you have been cleared by me, you may begin to complete the on-line application, enter the names and emails of the two people who will be serving as recommenders for you, and upload under additional materials your contact list, budget, and (optional) a third document, image or recording.

3. Official Colby transcript. Have Colby’s Registrar’s office send an electronic copy to me. In addition to this official transcript, please email to me a pdf version of your transcript. To do this, simply access your grade transcript, copy it, create a pdf file, and email to me. You will use this pdf in your application (you cannot upload an official transcript as they are encrypted).

4. Budget. The budget will provide information about travel expenses.

5. NOTE: Failure to follow the instructions outlined above may result in a rejection of the application. Letter of recommendation and transcripts must be uploaded by the campus due date (Friday, October 2, 12PM noon). The committee reserves the right to not interview candidates with incomplete applications by the campus due date.

6. Two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must follow the format provided by the Watson Foundation, found below.

7. You should send your recommenders these guidelines as soon as possible.

Note: One of the letters of recommendation must be from someone affiliated with Colby

• • Watch the Summer 2026 Watson Informational Session Zoom recording here (passcode:
    af6x^R+7)
  • September 2025 Watson Info Session PowerPoint (aimed at Seniors)
  • Watson Fellowship Recommendation Form
  • Watson Info Session February 2026 PowerPoint
  • Watson Fellowship Website

• Application materials are read by all members of the Colby Committee.
• If there are fewer than twenty candidates, all applicants will likely be granted Committee interviews.  If there are more than twenty candidates, Committee interviews may be based on pre-selection.
• Interviews will take place approximately shortly after the submission deadline.
• Committee interviews last approximately twenty minutes.
• Names of the nominees will be announced via email (to all applicants) shortly after the last interview is conducted.
• Nominees will submit applications to the Watson Foundation electronically on November 4 at noon.
• Notification of final selection will be received on March 15, 2027. 
• Colby email addresses will be used when corresponding with applicants and eventual nominees.
• A representative of the Watson Foundation will conduct full hour interviews with each of the four nominees on campus sometime between November and February.

• Read the information available on the Thomas J. Watson Foundation website.
• Make sure that your project reflects a true passion.
• The key to a successful Watson is the combination of project and person.
• The best recommendations come from people who can talk about why your project is a great fit for you.
• Ask friends, professors, etc. to read and criticize your proposal and personal statement. Please feel free to speak with any member of Colby’s Watson committee (see list below) to discuss your project and personal statement.
• Strong proposals include project-related connections in each project country.
• Plan for a Watson, but don’t plan on it: create a variety of other viable options for your post-graduate year.