Thiel Fellowship — Fellowship

The Thiel Fellowship is a two-year program founded by Peter Thiel and supported by the Thiel Foundation. It gives young people time and resources to build new products, organizations, or other concrete projects outside a university classroom.

Fellows may work from anywhere and use the foundation’s network of founders, investors, and scientists. The program accepts applications throughout the year.

Benefits & funding

US$250,000 paid over two years.
The grant does not take equity in the recipient’s company.
Access to the Thiel Foundation’s network of founders, investors, and scientists.
No move to San Francisco is required.

Eligibility

Applicants must be aged 22 or younger.
Applicants must not hold an undergraduate or graduate university degree.
Current students may apply, but selected applicants must leave school before accepting the fellowship.
A registered company or complete product is not required, but applicants must show meaningful progress toward a concrete vision.
Applications are reviewed for individuals; a team is not required.
The official eligibility rules publish no nationality or residence restriction, and fellows may be based worldwide.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.

Age requirement
≤ 22 yrs

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Application process

1
Open the official application portal from the program website.
2
Submit an individual application describing the concrete vision and progress made toward it.
3
If selected while enrolled in school, leave school before accepting the fellowship.

Program timeline

Year-round
Applications are accepted.
If selected
Enrolled applicants leave school before accepting the fellowship.
Over the following two years
The grant is paid and the fellowship work is pursued.