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.
Fellowship Award Amount: To Be Formally Announced at the Forthcoming Naroditsky Memorial
The Inspiration Behind the Fellowship
The Naroditsky Fellowship is rooted in a legacy of elite excellence and a profound passion for higher-level learning and pursuits. As a 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 Criteria
The Naroditsky Fellowship is highly selective, designed exclusively for elite junior players who meet the following foundational benchmarks:
-
Age Requirement: Must be Under 20 (U20) years old at the time of application.
-
National or Global Standing: Candidates must be top-rated juniors representing the United States, fulfilling at least one of the following:
-
Ranked among the top juniors overall in the United States.
-
Ranked in the Top 5 globally for their specific age group on the official FIDE list.
-
-
Additional eligibility criteria and guidelines coming soon.
Key Dates & Timeline
● August 2026: Official application portal opens.
● Fall 2026: Selection committee formation and comprehensive candidate review.
● January 2027: Fellowship funds distributed to the selected recipients.
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
Express Your Interest
The official application will be released soon. If you meet the preliminary eligibility criteria above and want to receive direct notifications the moment applications open in August 2026, please complete the brief interest form below.