The Thomas J. Watson Foundation provides fellowships to graduating seniors nominated by a participating college or university in the United States to engage in a year of independent study and travel abroad following their graduation. The project must be one that can be pursued with independence and adaptability, and it cannot involve formal study at a foreign institution. It must involve travel to areas where the student has not previously lived or studied for a significant length of time. The fellowship offers a stipend of $40,000. Ask your campus advisor about internal deadlines. The national selection process begins in November.