2026 Annual Samford Fellowships Announced

The Frank P. Samford Jr. and Frank Samford III Chess Fellowships are pleased to announce the 40th consecutive annual awards. The fellowships were created by the late Frank P. Samford Jr., of Birmingham, Ala., to advance the game he loved by identifying and assisting the most promising young chess masters in the United States.

Since its inception in 1987 the Samford, under the leadership of Frank Samford III, has been successful in promoting the chess careers of more than three dozen young Americans, many of whom have gone on to become grandmasters, members of the U.S. Olympiad Chess Team, and U.S. Champions. Four members of the 2024 bronze medal-winning U.S. Women’s Olympiad team were current or former Samford Fellows.

The fellowships are open to American chessplayers under age 25 as of June 1, 2026, and have been permanent residents of the U.S. for at least one year before that. Leadership of the Fellowship program is provided by Frank Samford Jr’s grandson, Paul Samford, of Atlanta, with the able help of Al Lawrence of the U.S. Chess Trust.

The 2026 Samford Chess Fellows will receive expense money for training by leading coaches, as well as chess books, computer equipment and other study materials, and opportunities to travel and compete in tournaments and matches at the highest levels. The yearly value of the fellowships is $70,000 and are given for a one-year term. Players may apply more than one year and are eligible for maximum funding up to, but not exceeding, $82,000.

The 2026 Samford Fellows will be selected by the Samford Chess Fellowship Committee, consisting of Paul Samford, GM Yury Shulman, and IM John Donaldson. Each applicant must be able to demonstrate talent, achievement, and commitment to chess. They must be willing to make the effort required to become a leading grandmaster and possible challenger for the world championship. 

For further details and an application form, email Click here to show email address or write to: 

John Donaldson
Secretary
Samford Chess Fellowship
1623½ Martin Luther King Junior Way
Berkeley, CA 94709 

Completed applications for the 2026 Fellowship must be received no later than May 25, and the Committee expects to announce the winner by June 1. All decisions by the Committee will be final.