US state department reverses decision to stop funding Mitchell scholarship scheme

The US state department has reversed its decision to eliminate funding for the Mitchell Scholars programme.

The move was confirmed yesterday by the US-Ireland Alliance which oversees the programme.

The programme, named in honour of former US senator George Mitchell, came out of the Northern Ireland peace process and attracted applications from thousands of students across the US to study for an academic year in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The state department told the alliance this week it would provide funds to ensure a class of 2014 could be selected this autumn.

“Discussions about the level of funding will continue with our supporters on Capitol Hill but we are assured of a floor amount that allows us to commit to scholar applicants,” the alliance said in a statement.

As many as a dozen Mitchell scholars have been selected for the programme each year. The funding of less than $500,000 was withdrawn in June.