Deadline: May 15, 2015
Send in applications for the Open Society Youth Fellowship. The fellowship supports young activists and organizers as thought leaders and allies in crafting solutions and new youth-focused approaches to open society challenges. It also funds work that supports and enriches understanding of youth-led methodologies for change and inspires conversations within the Open Society Foundations and in the world.
Fellows may produce a variety of work products, including publications, such as reports and blog posts; infographics and other visual content; innovative education and training resources and tools; the launch of new campaigns and organizations; and creation of artistic or cultural expression projects. They may also engage in activities such as hosting panel discussions, traveling to conferences, and presenting on their work in other public spaces.
Fellowship applications should relate to at least one of the following areas of work:
- Youth mobilization and innovation in traditional human rights movements (i.e. the LGBTQ rights movement, disability rights, women’s rights, drug policy reform, etc.).
- Youth participation and civic engagement particularly around elections.
- Youth-led movements.
- Youth-led work in the field of justice (for example, policing, pre-trial detention, incarcerated youth, or alternative sentencing).
- Youth tactics in advocacy and awareness-raising (for example new media, arts activism, peer-to-peer networks, etc.) around human rights issues.
- Youth in closed or transitional societies.
Fellowship
- Fellows will receive a stipend of $35,000–50,000 depending on experience and current income.
- The fellowship will also cover some travel and project costs related to the fellows’ work to be discussed.
Eligibility
- All applicants should be under the age of 30.
- Considerations will be given to applicants who are currently employed by a civil society organization or university. Additional information will be requested to confirm that the applicant is acting on their own in regards to their proposed project, and that their current employer is flexible with their independent role as an OSF Youth Fellow.
- The Youth Exchange accepts proposals from anywhere in the world, with a particular interest in proposals from the global south.
- Applicants should possess a deep understanding of their particular field and a record of successful movement-building initiatives, innovative project management experience, and/or experience in research/tools development.
- Applicants must be proficient in spoken English.
Application Process
- To apply, complete the online application form and submit supporting materials for consideration.
- Applicants may submit a project proposal or other materials in a language other than English, as long as they also submit an English translation. Certified translations are strongly recommended.
- Once the initial information has been entered, applicants receive login details and an ID number that allows them to make additions and revisions to the form until materials are submitted. The ID number should be quoted in any correspondence.
- The program strongly encourages applicants to submit only electronic supporting materials. However, if applicants have hard copy materials that they feel are essential to the evaluation of their project, they can list these at the end of the project proposal. Fellowship staff will reach out to applicants should it be necessary to review these materials.
- Applicants without internet access may send an application by post. Download application form.
For more information, contact [email protected] or visit Open Society Youth Fellowship.
