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The Thiel Fellowship is a grant from the Thiel Foundation that provides $200,000 over two years to young people aged 22 or younger who want to build new ventures instead of attending college. Founded by Peter Thiel in 2011, the program supports ambitious entrepreneurs working on technology, science, and other innovative projects.
Fellows skip or stop out of college to pursue their ideas full-time, receiving mentorship, connections to investors and partners, and access to the Thiel Foundation's network of founders, investors, and scientists in Silicon Valley and beyond. The fellowship is equity-free and designed to give young builders the freedom and resources to take on big risks and tackle ideas that cannot wait.
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The Thiel Fellowship gives $200,000 to young people who want to build new things instead of sitting in a classroom. Two years. $200,000.
Some ideas can’t wait. 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 $200,000 grant and support from the Thiel Foundation’s network of founders, investors, and scientists.
A different path for everyone “Knowledge that is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind. ” College can be good for learning about what’s been done before, but it can also discourage you from doing something new. Each of our fellows charts a unique course; together they have proven that young people can succeed by thinking for themselves instead of following a traditional track and competing on old career tracks.
Freedom to get stuff done “My grandmother wanted me to have an education, so she kept me out of school” Pursue ideas that matter instead of mandatory tests. Take on big risks instead of big debt. How you spend your two years in the Fellowship is up to you — we’re here to help, but we won’t get in the way.
“That major that she majored in don't make no money / But she won't drop out, her parents'll look at her funny” The hardest thing about being a young entrepreneur is that you haven’t met everyone you’ll need to know to make your venture succeed. We can help connect you — to investors, partners, prospective customers — in Silicon Valley and beyond.
“Thanks to the Thiel Fellowship, access to some of the nation’s most successful businesspeople is quick and easy. ” “Thiel’s fellowship pays kids a stipend that liberates them to work on ways to improve the world, rather than saddling them with debt. They get mentorship, workshops, connections to resources, and an alumni network without a formal alma mater.
” “Not long ago, dropping out of school to start a company was considered risky. For this generation, it is a badge of honor, evidence of ambition and focus. ”
Key questions and narrative sections extracted from the solicitation.
What cool stuff have you worked on in the past?
What is the most important problem facing your field?
What is the most important problem facing someone else's field?
What are you currently obsessed with that is totally unrelated to your project?
How do you feel about money?
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Tell us something tangible you want.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Young people (age 22 or younger) building new ventures; current students may apply but must leave school if selected. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $200,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.