William M. Bristol Fellowship

This award was created for Hamilton College students to “encourage discovery of self and the world, a greater appreciation and understanding of people and culture, and to enable individuals to act on great ideas through independent study projects rather than formal academic pursuit.”

Projects must be based on strong personal interest and commitment; they should be imaginative and thoughtful; they should be feasible; they should exhibit a spirit of inquisitiveness and a seriousness of purpose.

Contact Director of Fellowships Lisa Grimes to learn more and talk about your Bristol project ideas.

Eligibility

Candidates must be graduating in December 2025 or May 2026. U.S. citizenship is not required. All majors and fields of inquiry are welcome.

Duration

One year. Fellows must remain outside the U.S. and other countries where they've spent more than four weeks.

Deadline

Early October

Amount

$40,000

Selection Process

All submitted proposals are reviewed by the Hamilton faculty fellowship committee. A short list of candidates will have on-campus interviews and up to six nominees will be selected for a second interview with members of the Bristol family. Up to two Fellows are chosen each year.

Notes

The Bristol Fellowship was created by the Bristol family in 1996 in honor of William M. Bristol, Jr. '17.

Past Recipients

Bristol Fellowship

Bristol Fellowship recipients have journeyed around the globe living in gypsy wagons, on remote Pacific Islands, and villages in Africa. They have kayaked down wild rivers, lived with those less fortunate and danced through Latin America. They have had to be resourceful, independent, compassionate and courageous. They have known loneliness and isolation and found community and friendship. For them, the time of their fellowship was a year like no other.

All Award Recipients