Deadline extended till 3 April 2020
Open Society Foundations is pleased to announce the second year of the Puerto Rico Youth Fellowship which will support a second cohort of activists, aged 18–27, who want to implement a project of their own design to advance human rights in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico is witnessing a historic moment, as young people continue to call out their government’s abandonment of the country’s most vulnerable communities. Responding to the recent earthquakes, as well as the government’s inadequate efforts to support those without secure housing, young people continue to organize to defend the rights of their communities. With the motive to continue supporting social and political movements led by young people.
Project Focus
The Puerto Rico Youth Fellowship will support the next generation of activists between the ages of 18 and 27, who want to implement a project of their own design that advances human rights in Puerto Rico. Human rights projects could include those relating to criminal justice, workers’ rights, LGBTTIQ rights, food justice, environmental justice, education (including the right to public education), health, housing, or immigration, among other subject areas.
The Foundation motivate applicants who are directly affected by the problems, norms, practices and systems their projects attempt to address. They also motivate people who form part of groups traditionally marginalized and/or discriminated in Puerto Rico, including, but not limited to:
- LGBTTIQ people; Afro-Puerto Rican people;
- People with diverse abilities; people who have been in prison;
- People who have been/are sex workers; people with a low income (including people living in public housing);
- People wo are not receiving formal education; or people
- With family members or loved ones that have direct experience.
Funding Information
The Puerto Rico Youth Fellowship does NOT fund, enrollment in an academic institution for degree or non-degree study, including dissertation research.
Eligibility Criteria
- Education: There no minimum education requirements.
- Time commitment: Selected fellows are required to participate during the course of 18 continuous months (approx. August 2020–February 2022), working approximately 35 hours/week. Full-time studies or employment are not permitted. However, an applicant can continue studies or employment at a part-time level upon requesting a part-time fellowship.
- Part-time projects: The Puerto Rico Youth Fellowship can be requested at a parttime level. This is to say, a part-time project (approx. 20 hours/week) with reasonable objectives will be considered. Part-time projects will receive partial funding (approx.$25,000).
- Potential and attitude: Selected fellows must have the potential to accomplish their project objectives and to benefit from the opportunity and exposure that the fellowships offer. The Foundation wish to provide this opportunity to those who have not had easy access to existing leadership pipelines or other paths to achievement and accomplishment, but who nonetheless have the drive, aptitude, savvy, and tenacity to seize upon an opportunity for growth and development when it presents itself.
- Host Organizations: Applicants can choose (if they so desire) a host organization. Host organizations—which can be advocacy or community groups, scholarly or research institutions, government agencies, or other nonprofit organizations or associations – can provide access to resources such as space, technology, and networks, as well as mentoring and guidance.
- The fellowship program encourages host organizations to provide in-kind contributions such as office space and necessary overhead. Host organizations may also augment the stipend award and provide other benefits;
- The fellowship program does not provide the host organization with supplemental funds. Fellows working with a host organization must submit a letter of commitment from the host organization that details the
parameters of the working relationship before beginning any project under this fellowship; - Projects proposed in conjunction with host organizations are evaluated in part on the extent to which the host organization is the right fit for the project and the applicant. However, if awarded a fellowship, the individual applicant ultimately is responsible for the work; and the fellowship “attaches” to the individual, not the host organization. The individual has the right, with the prior approval of the fellowship program, to take the fellowship to another host or choose to do the work without a host organization.
How to apply
- To apply, please attach a copy of your resume and your letter of intent, and submit via e-mail at the address given on the website.
- Curriculum vitae, resume or biography: no more than two pages;
- Letter of intent: written form, video, or voice note (four minutes maximum), answering the same questions listed in the prompt.
For more information, visit https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/puerto-rico-youth-fellowship