The Scholarship will be awarded to students who have shown both academic distinction and the potential for leadership. There are no restrictions as to academic field of study. Scholars will be selected in fall 2000 and will begin their studies in fall 2001. Finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C. for an interview before the selection committee in November 2000. Open to all fields of study in fine arts, arts and humanities, social sciences, sciences, business and engineering.
Available subjects vary according to the university.
Competition includes essay, campus, and district interviews. Students must be under age 26, preferably single. Only 40 awarded nationally but 5 must come from the southern area. The Mellon is designed for students planning to pursue a career in teaching and scholarship in the humanities. Up to 80 awarded nationally.