39th Annual Frank P. Samford Jr. and Frank Samford III Chess Fellowships Now Open for Applications

The prestigious Frank P. Samford Jr. and Frank Samford III Chess Fellowships have announced the opening of applications for the 39th annual awards. Established in 1987 by the late Frank P. Samford Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama, the Fellowships aim to support and nurture the most promising young chess masters in the United States.

Under the leadership of Frank Samford III, the Samford Fellowships have played a crucial role in advancing the chess careers of over three dozen talented young Americans. Many of the recipients have gone on to achieve great success, becoming grandmasters, members of the U.S. Olympiad Chess Team, and even United States Chess Champions. Notably, four members of the bronze medal-winning 2024 U.S. Women’s Olympiad team are current or former Samford Fellows.

The 2025 Fellowships are open to American chess players under the age of 25 as of June 1, who have been permanent residents of the U.S. for at least one year prior to that date. The program is overseen by Paul Samford, grandson of Frank P. Samford Jr., and Al Lawrence of the U.S. Chess Trust.

Selected Fellows will receive financial support for training with top chess coaches, study materials, tournament travel, and other opportunities to compete at the highest levels. The total value of the Fellowships, including training and travel expenses, amounts to $70,000 per year, with the possibility of receiving up to $82,000 in funding over multiple years.

Applications for the 2025 Samford Chess Fellowships must be submitted by May 15, with the winner set to be announced by June 1. The selection process will be carried out by the Samford Chess Fellowship Committee, comprised of Paul Samford, GM Yury Shulman, and IM John Donaldson. Applicants of any gender who demonstrate exceptional talent, achievement, and dedication to chess are encouraged to apply for this prestigious opportunity.

For further information and to obtain an application form, interested individuals can contact John Donaldson, Secretary of the Samford Chess Fellowship, at the provided address in Berkeley, California. Don’t miss this chance to take your chess career to the next level with the support of the Samford Chess Fellowships!