Naroditsky Fellowship

A LEGACY FUND FOR AMERICAN JUNIOR TALENTS

In Memory of GM Daniel Naroditsky (1995-2025)

About the Fellowship

The Naroditsky Fellowship, established as a core initiative of the Naroditsky Memorial Fund, is dedicated to fueling the competitive journey of the United States’ brightest young chess minds. By easing the financial burdens of elite training, travel, and tournament preparation, the fellowship ensures that America's premier junior talents have the resources they need to achieve international mastery.

2027 Fellowship Award Amount: $50,000

The Inspiration

The Naroditsky Fellowship is rooted in a legacy of elite excellence and a profound passion for higher-level learning and pursuits. Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky constantly dedicated himself to the highest echelons of chess mastery, commentary, and education. Having himself been a proud recipient of the prestigious Samford Fellowship, Daniel understood firsthand the impact that dedicated, structured financial support can have on an ascending player.

Alongside the annual Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz tournament, this fellowship ensures that his enduring spirit remains alive. It serves as a permanent vehicle to carry forward his dedication to the game, continuing to support America's top talents as they strive to achieve their highest potential.

Eligibility

The Naroditsky Fellowship is highly selective, designed exclusively for elite junior players who meet the following foundational benchmarks:

Age Requirement: Must be under 20 years old at the time of application.
Federation: Must reside in and represent the United States (FIDE federation)
National or Global Standing: Candidates must fulfill at least one of the following:
- Ranked among the top 10 Juniors overall in the United States on the US Chess or FIDE rating list.
- Ranked in the Top 10 nationally (US Chess) or internationally (FIDE) for their specific age group.

Key Dates & Timeline

● August 2026: Official application portal opens.

● Fall 2026: Selection committee formation and comprehensive candidate review.

● Late Fall/Early Winter 2026: Inaugural Naroditsky Fellows announced.

● January 2027: Fellowship funds distributed to the selected recipients.

Application Requirements

To be considered by the selection committee, candidates must complete the online application and submit the following materials:

Parent-Guided Grant Overview & Roadmap: A proposal outlining planned international events, coaching goals, and general fund usage (e.g., GM coaching, travel, fitness/mindfulness training). Because award recipients are minors, this section must be prepared with or by a parent/guardian who will oversee the administration of funds.
Personal Reflection (Video or Short Statement): A short 2 to 3-minute video recording or brief personal statement answering one central question: "How has playing chess changed your life, and what does this opportunity mean to your growth?"
Two Letters of Recommendation: Statements from coaches, arbiters, or organizers speaking to the candidate’s work ethic, sportsmanship, and character.
Parent/Guardian Co-Signature: Formal sign-off on the application by a parent or legal guardian confirming support and commitment to fellowship guidelines.

Expectations

Fellowship recipients carry forward a proud tradition of chess excellence and sportsmanship. In accepting any award, fellows commit to representing the program through a few core engagements:

Attend the Annual Naroditsky Memorial: Compete as an invited featured player in the annual Naroditsky Memorial tournament in Charlotte, NC.
Connect at the Pre-Event Dinner: Attend the exclusive pre-tournament dinner to build meaningful connections with the donors, sponsors, and foundation leaders whose generosity makes the fellowship possible.
Wear Official Fellowship Gear: Wear foundation-provided apparel (such as an official Naroditsky Fellowship polo shirt or jacket) along with the official pin/patch during classical games, live streams, award ceremonies, and media interviews.
Community Engagement: Share your passion with the U.S. chess community during the grant year. Older fellows might host a virtual masterclass or annotate a game for the foundation archive, while younger fellows may participate in a featured joint interview alongside a parent.
Share Your Journey: Keep the selection committee inspired with mid-year and annual updates highlighting your tournament milestones, rating progression, and fund utilization.

Inaugural Fellowship Recipients

Following the application window in August 2026, our newly formed selection committee will rigorously review all candidates. The inaugural cohort of Naroditsky Fellows will be selected later this year and formally announced here ahead of the January 2027 fund distribution.

To Be Selected in January 2027

Apply for the Fellowship

Applications Due By December 1, 2026