These funds provide fellowship grants to college students to subsidize experiences intended to broaden their perspective and enhance personal growth.

In 1989, the Michael P. Metcalf Memorial Fund was established at the Rhode Island Foundation to honor the memory of Michael P. Metcalf, publisher of the Providence Journal. Additional money from the Christine T. Grinavic Adventurer's Fund, established in Christine Grinavic's memory, supplements Metcalf awards. Christine was a University of Rhode Island graduate and 2001 Metcalf award winner who was lost at sea in 2007.

"The fellowship is to be unique, channeled to dreamers and potential leaders who clearly are outstanding students, able to benefit from a life changing experience."

- James Wyman, a founding member of the Michael P. Metcalf Memorial Fund

Fellowship Criteria

• Completion of the Stand-Alone Application for the Metcalf Fellowship, which may include essays, transcripts, a résumé, letters of recommendation from faculty, employers or other professionals who understand why the proposed experience is appropriate for the applicant, a description of the enrichment experience – including plans, preparation, amount requested and how funds will be used, breakdown of itemized expenses, and how this experience will further the applicant’s goals, and other supporting documents.
• College freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students who are legal residents of Rhode Island.  
• Those awarded must accept funding by and the enrichment experience itself must occur by December 31 of the year awarded.  
• Plans must include a well-defined program and demonstrate clear purpose. Applicants must show financial need for support in completing the project.  
• Those selected must submit a final project — in writing and perhaps another medium — communicating the value of the experience in furthering their long-term goals.  
• Criteria for evaluating applications include: clarity and thoughtfulness of application, creativity and motivation of proposed project, evidence of self-direction and initiative, and financial need.

Deadline and Application Process

Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Students must apply through the Rhode Island Foundation’s secure online scholarship platform.