Open Society Foundation Fellowships for Individuals

Deadline: 3 August 2015

The Open Society Foundations is currently accepting proposals from individuals pursuing innovative and unconventional approaches for its open society fellowships. The fellowship program seeks to fund work that will enrich public understanding of those challenges and stimulate far-reaching conversations within the Open Society Foundations and in the world.

A fellowship project might identify a problem that has previously not been recognized, develop new policy ideas to address familiar problems, or offer a new advocacy strategy.

Areas of Interest

Project themes should cut across at least two areas of interest to the Open Society Foundations:

1. human rights
2. government transparency
3. access to information and to justice
4. the promotion of civil society and social inclusion

Program Structure

Fellows may produce a variety of work products, including publications such as books, reports, or blogs; innovative public-education projects; or the launch of new campaigns or organizations. They may also engage in activities such as hosting panel discussions, traveling to conferences, participating in policy debates, and aggressively promoting their ideas in public venues. Fellowship projects can include photography, outreach, and advocacy around documentary film and other forms of cultural production.

Benefits

• Full-time fellows based in the United States will receive a stipend of $80,000 or $100,000, depending on work experience, seniority, and current income.
• Stipends will be prorated for part-time fellows.
• For fellows based elsewhere, appropriate adjustments will be made to reflect the cost of living in those countries.
• In addition to the stipend, fellows will receive a project budget.

Eligibility Criteria

• The program accepts proposals from anywhere in the world.
• Applicants should possess a deep understanding of their chosen subject and a track record of professional accomplishment.
• Past and current fellows have included journalists, activists, academics, and practitioners in a variety of fields.
• Proficiency in spoken English is required.

How to Apply

Applicants who are uncertain whether their topic fits within the Foundations’ focus areas are invited to submit a brief letter of inquiry, accompanied by a CV, before proceeding with the online application process. That letter of inquiry should be addressed electronically.

For more information, visit the Open Society Foundations website.