The Open Society Foundation / Echoing Green ‘Black Male Achievement’ Fellowship: Apply!

Deadline: January 7, 2013

The Black Male Achievement (BMA) Fellowship is a new fellowship program established by Open Society Foundations and Echoing Green dedicated to improve the life outcomes of black men and boys in the U.S. It is the first fellowship program of its kind that targets social entrepreneurs who are starting up new and innovative organizations in the field of black male achievement.

The BMA Fellowship includes start-up capital and technical assistance over 18 months to help new leaders launch and build their organizations; access to technical support and pro bono partnerships; and a community of like-minded social entrepreneurs and public service leaders. The Fellowship will be awarded to up to eight fellows who are generating new ideas and best practices in the areas of education, family, and work such as initiatives related to fatherhood, mentoring, college preparatory programs, community-building, supportive wage work opportunities, communications, and philanthropic leadership.

The BMA Fellowship runs for 18 months offers:
• A stipend of $70,000
• A health insurance stipend
• A professional development stipend
• Professional and organizational development conferences
• A community of like-minded social entrepreneurs and public service leaders, including the Open Society and Echoing Green networks of alumni working all over the world

The BMA Fellowship selection process is highly competitive. Applicants progress through three application stages with eliminations after each phase. The 2013 BMA Fellows will begin their fellowship July 2013.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the BMA Fellowship:

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Applicants must have sufficient English fluency to participate in interviews and Echoing Green events.
• Organization must be the original idea of the applicant.
• Organization must be in a start-up phase.
• Organization must be independent and autonomous.
• Applicants must make a full-time commitment (minimum 35 hours per week) to the organization’s development for the duration of the two-year fellowship.
• Partnerships (organizations co-founded and led by two individuals) may apply.
• Applicants must commit to attending Echoing Green’s training conferences if selected as fellows.

For more information, click here.