The Ethnic Studies Department is proud to announce that Irene Franco Rubio has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2026 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans.
Selected from a pool of over 3,000 applicants nationwide, Irene is one of only 30 exceptional immigrants and children of immigrants chosen for this honor. The fellowship recognizes individuals who are poised to make significant contributions to US society, culture, or their respective academic fields.
As a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow, Irene will receive up to $90,000 in funding over two years to support her graduate studies. Now in its 28th year, the program has a legacy of supporting over 860 fellows from 103 countries who have gone on to transform industries and strengthen communities across the United States.
You can read Irene’s full fellow profile and learn more about the 2026 cohort at https://pdsoros.org/fellows/irene-franco-rubio.