Deadline: September 14, 2017
The Bush Fellowship is a recognition of extraordinary achievement and a bet on extraordinary potential. The Fellowship provides people with an opportunity to pursue the education and experiences they need to become more effective leaders in their community. Bush Fellows have a record of accomplishment and want to make an even bigger impact in their community. Fellows determine what they need to become a more effective leader and receive a grant of up to $100,000 to make it happen.
The Fellowship is one way the Bush Foundation works to inspire and support creative problem solving – within and across sectors – to make our region better for everyone. Since 1965, Bush Fellowships have been awarded to more than 2,200 people across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography.
Benefits
The Fellowship is awarded annually to as many as 24 people from across the region. Bush Fellows receive a flexible grant of up to $100,000 that they can use over 12 to 24 months to pursue the education and experiences they need to become more effective leaders in their community.
The Fellowship allows people to access programs, mentors and networks that might not otherwise be available to them. The experience allows them to develop an even greater vision for what is possible in their communities—and a deeper commitment to taking action.
Eligibility
- You must be at least 24 years old at the time of the application deadline.
- You must be a resident who lives in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or one of the 23 Native nations that shares the same geography, for one continuous year immediately prior to the application deadline.
- You are ineligible if you have previously received a Bush Fellowship, Bush Artist Fellowship, Bush Leadership Fellowship, Bush Medical Fellowship or Enduring Vision Award.
- There are no specific citizenship requirements to be eligible for the Bush Fellowship. However, if a Fellow is not a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the Bush Foundation may be required to withhold income taxes on Fellowship payments and report such payments and withholdings to the Internal Revenue Service.
Selection Criteria
The Bush Fellowship is a recognition of extraordinary achievement and a bet on extraordinary potential. They are looking for people who:
- Have a record of accomplishment and want to make an even bigger impact.
- Think bigger and differently about what they can accomplish in their community.
- Know they need to strengthen a specific skill, or set of skills, and have a clear plan for how to make it happen.
The Fellowship selection criteria are organized around three areas of focus: The person. Their potential. Their plan.
Applications
Application for the 2018 Bush Fellowship will open on August 15, 2017.
- The online application system requires you to create an individual portal account.
- Visit the Portal Account Sign-In page and click “New User” to get started.
Selection Process
The selection process is designed benefit all applicants. Whether or not an applicant receives a Fellowship, the process provides an opportunity for them to reflect on their accomplishments and create a plan to achieve their aspirations.
There are three main stages in the Bush Fellowship selection process:
- A preliminary selection committee of Foundation staff and previous Bush Fellows select up to 75 semifinalists. We require applicants selected as semifinalists to provide more information about how they will use the Fellowship through a second stage application, phone interview and references. The Bush Foundation may conduct formal background and public records checks on applicants who are invited to move forward to the second phase of the application process.
- A final selection committee of Foundation staff will select up to 36 finalists. We will assign each finalist a time for a half-day, in-person interview with the final selection committee in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
- Fellowship selection committees of made up of community leaders and board members will select up to 24 Fellows.
For more information, visit Bush Fellowship.
