Deadline: 21 April 2017
The Open Society Foundations’ Youth Exchange, in partnership with the Human Rights Initiative, seeks applicants for its Community Youth Fellowships.
The Community Youth Fellowships will support dynamic activists aged 18-25 who want to implement a project of their own design that advances human rights anywhere in the United States. This opportunity is specifically for young persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Through these fellowships, the Open Society Foundations aim to provide young people at the early stage of their work with the support they need to develop great ideas that contribute to dismantle challenges in their communities and advance the values of an open society.
Award and Duration
The fellowships come with an award of up to $60,000 for full-time, 18-month projects (prorated for part-time or 12-month projects).
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should be young persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities between the ages of 18 and 25. Their proposed projects must focus on human rights in the United States.
- Applicants must be at the earliest stages of their careers, have and want to learn more about what it takes to be most effective as an activist. Applicants directly affected by, or with significant direct personal experience of, the challenges, policies, practices, and systems their projects seek to address are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with intellectual and developmental disabilities are also strongly encouraged to apply regardless of support required. Effective and meaningful support will be provided to ensure the candidate is successful.
Ineligibility Criteria
The Open Society Youth Exchange Fellowship does not fund the following:
- Enrollment in an academic institution for degree or non-degree study, including dissertation research. However, candidates who apply for a part-time fellowship may continue their academic studies on their personal time.
- Lobbying
How to Apply
To apply, applicants must complete the online form. Once registered, applicants will be able to proceed to the application itself, and upload the following documents:
- Resume or bio: No more than two (2) pages
- Letter of intent (LOI): A single-spaced letter of intent (maximum 2 pages) structured according to the template you will find online. The LOI can be submitted instead as a video or sound recording (maximum 4 minutes) covering the same points in the template
Eligible Country: United States
For more information, please visit Open Society Youth Exchange Fellowships.