Thiel Fellowship

Founded by technology entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel in 2011, the Thiel Fellowship is a two-year program for young people who want to build new things. Thiel Fellows skip or stop out of college to receive a $100,000 grant and support from the Thiel Foundation's network of founders, investors, and scientists.

What is the Fellowship?

The Thiel Fellowship is a two-year, $100,000 grant for young people who want to build new things instead of sitting in a classroom.

How does the grant work?

Fellows receive $100,000, spread out over two years. We do not take equity in your company.

How many Fellows do you select?

Between 20 and 30 each year.

What is the age limit to apply?

Anyone aged 22 or younger is eligible to apply.

Can I apply to the Fellowship if I’m still in school?

Yes — though if you’re selected you’ll need to drop out in order to accept the Fellowship.

Do I need to drop out to accept the Fellowship?

Yes.

Am I eligible for the fellowship if I’ve received an undergraduate degree?

No.

Do I need to have a company or is an idea enough?

You don’t need to have incorporated a company or built a full product yet, but at a minimum you’ll need to demonstrate meaningful progress toward a concrete vision.

Do you only award Fellowships to software engineers?

No. Some Thiel Fellows are programmers, but others have started nonprofits, created consumer products, launched media companies, and built hardware. We look to support young people who want to bring their ideas to the world.

Do I need a team to apply?

No — we review and accept applicants as individuals.

If I receive the Fellowship, do I need to move to San Francisco?

No. Thiel Fellows are based all over the world.

Is there an application deadline?

No - we accept applications year round. If you’re working on something cool, apply now.