New America Fellows Program Class of 2017 Application

The deadline for this year's new class of New America Fellows has passed. WE RECEIVED A RECORD 417 APPLICATIONS THIS ROUND, SO THE REVIEW PROCESS WILL TAKE SOME TIME. We expect to contact applicants in May to let them know if they are finalists and publicly announce our decisions in September when we welcome of 2017 Class of Fellows. 

About Us

New America’s Fellows Program invests in thinkers — academics, journalists, independent scholars, and public policy analysts — who offer fresh and often unconventional perspectives on the major challenges facing our society.

Fellows advance big ideas through research, reporting, analysis, and/or storytelling. The big idea can be a sweeping reframing of a familiar subject through new research or a new combination of existing research; a masterful presentation of a case study that advances our understanding of a timeless American theme or stress fracture; an innovative new media or academic project to disseminate knowledge about a shared challenge; or a bold policy prescription for moving domestic and international issues forward.

Our goal in the Fellows Program is to find bold, iconoclastic thinkers and to fund them for one to two years, long enough so that they can write a book, develop a series of articles, make a documentary, or work on another project that would be accessible to a broad audience and long enough to be able to build a real community among the fellows.

Fellows benefit from a financial stipend, engagement with each other and with New America’s various policy programs, and the expanded audience and exposure from New America and its media partners. Precise terms and stipend levels of fellowships vary widely, as some fellows work full-time at New America in pursuit of their research, while many others have other professional commitments during the term of their fellowship.

How to Apply

The New America Fellows Program application process is highly competitive. To be considered for the 2017 Fellows class, which runs from September 2016 to August 2017, you must apply by February 15, 2016.

This year, we ask that candidates please apply through the our electronic Screendoor Application. When you start your application, you will be prompted to enter basic contact and background information. You will also be asked to upload the three central application components that will be considered by our Fellows Selection Committee:

1. Resume: Your professional resume or biography.

2. Statement of Interest: The core of the application in which you explain your proposal for the fellowship--your line of inquiry, how you plan to develop it, why you feel this project will enrich an important public debate, and how you could contribute to and benefit from the Fellows Program. This statement should not exceed 2,500 words.

3. Writing Samples: A packet of three writing samples, not to exceed 40 pages in total. Under certain circumstances, we will also consider non-written work samples (e.g., photography projects, documentary film clips, newsreels).

When you finish the required sections and submit your application, you will be taken to a confirmation page that states that you have successfully submitted your materials. You will also receive a similar confirmation email at the address that you provided.

If you have further inquiries about the program and application process, feel free to email the Fellows Program Deputy Director, Kirsten Berg (berg@newamerica) or ask them via the Screendoor App.

You can also find out more about the Fellows Program by exploring our website and by checking out our 2016 Class of New America Fellows and our Fellows Program Alumni.

Thank you again for your interest in the New America Fellows Program, and best of luck with the application process!

As a matter of commitment, policy and law, the New America Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Under no circumstances should candidates contact a member of New America's Board of Directors in relation to a fellowship application.