The Public Engagement Fellows Program is a two-year fellowship for incoming leaders committed to addressing equity, inclusion, and social justice (EISJ) challenges while pursuing a master's degree at The Schools of Public Engagement (SPE).
Through the fellowship, we aim to recognize incoming students who have demonstrated commitment to effecting positive change in New York City and around the world. The Public Engagement Fellowship will place each fellow in one of our college’s centers,
programs, institutes, and labs to further the work of the various EISJ initiatives of that entity (see list of participating projects here).
Amount: Fellows will receive funding support in the amount of $10,000 for participation in the two-year fellowship ($5,000 per year), in addition to any merit-based scholarship they may receive from their degree program. Students are eligible for fellowship funding in combination with merit-based scholarships, the total not to exceed the cost of tuition.
Benefits: Fellows participate in a cohort-based experience that includes a seminar with public engagement leaders, mentorship/networking opportunities, and public events including the Executive Dean’s award ceremony which showcases publicly
engaged work.
Requirements: Attendance at periodic fellowship cohort events during each of two academic years; interim and final update about fellowship project; progress toward the master's degree in which fellows are enrolled; enrollment in at least
6 credits per semester.
Eligibility: To be selected for the Public Engagement Fellowship, students must be admitted to a graduate program in SPE and be committed to promoting positive change through EISJ initiatives in partnership with local communities, government
agencies, organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Priority consideration is given to:
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Individuals who identify as from, or have experience working closely with, underrepresented communities in higher education or other context
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Individuals who have faced dynamics affecting their higher education progress, including socioeconomic barriers, personal or group identity, mobility or immigration status, challenges to health or well-being, and other experiences that would enhance
their contributions to the cohort’s collective learning about EISJ
Only new applicants for fall 2023 and beyond are eligible for the Public Engagement Fellowship.
Participating Master’s Programs:Creative Writing (MFA), Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management (MS), International Affairs (MA, MS),
Media Management (MS), Media Studies (MA), Public and Urban Policy (MS).
How to Apply: The Public Engagement Fellowship Selection Committee will give priority to applications submitted by January 15. Decisions will be delivered to candidates in March.
Please note that although students can apply to all the fellowships offered by SPE, applicants will be awarded only one SPE fellowship.
The application process consists of the following steps:
Submit a completed application to a participating master's degree program at The Schools of Public Engagement by the priority deadline on January 15. See the list above of participating master’s programs.
Respond to three short-answer questions on your graduate application where you will discuss how you are a good fit for the fellowship award.
To be considered for this fellowship, briefly answer the following questions as part of your application to the Master’s degree (no more than 700 words total):
What prior experiences (activism, internships, community engagement, work, travel, research, life) make you a strong candidate for the Public Engagement Fellowship?
Which of the following areas would you be most interested in exploring through your fellowship: NYC public and urban policy; platform cooperatives and digital economy; global affairs; art and politics; urban sustainability; economic and racial equity; sexuality, gender, and technology; writing female-identified histories; environmental justice and climate; and/or creative writing and equity?
What do you hope to gain from and what can you contribute to the cohort?
Finalists may be invited to schedule an interview with the Public Engagement Fellowship selection committee and/or provide the names and contact information of individuals who are familiar with their work.