Social Justice/Social Change Fellowships
The following list includes a sample of post-graduate fellowships in Social Justice/Social Change. This is not intended to be a complete list but instead should help one get started in their research of gap year opportunities.
Akili Dada Fellowship Program
The Akili Dada Fellows program awards year-long fellowships to young women leaders who have a year-long social change project of their own design. The entrepreneurial program serves as an incubator providing financial, intellectual, mentoring, and networking resources to young women as they grow their projects to scale and sustainability. The goal of the program is to build the capacity of some of the continent’s most innovative young women changemakers to drive solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing African society. The fellowship includes access to the Akilia Data network of funding partners and more.
American India Foundation/William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India
The AIF Clinton Fellowship for Service gives a select group of young American professionals the opportunity to serve with Indian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for ten months. Fellows work in the three pillar areas of AIF: Public Health, Education, & Livelihoods. The AIF Clinton Fellowship Program aims to build the capacity of Indian NGOs while developing American leaders with a deep understanding of, and continued commitment to, India through an exchange of technical skills & intellectual resources that create meaningful transformative partnerships.
American Jewish Committee Goldman Bridge Fellowship
Cooperation among faith and ethnic groups is a vital ingredient to maintaining the strong, vibrant, democratic fabric of this country. A new generation of young leaders will determine the future of that democracy. This Fellowship is an effort on the part of the Jewish community to focus on building the skills and inspiration needed to engage in that work – within the Jewish community and as a catalyzing force outside of it.
American Jewish World Service World Partners Fellowship
AJWS World Partners Fellowship is a partially funded award granted to recent Jewish college graduates and young professionals seeking an intensive international volunteer service experience. On the ten month-long program, fellows live in India and volunteer with AJWS grantees and other grassroots NGOs working at the intersection of international development and human rights.
AmeriCorps
Each year, AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Whether your service makes a community safer, gives a child a second chance, or helps protect the environment, you’ll be getting things done through AmeriCorps!
AmeriCorps NCCC
AmeriCorps NCCC members serve for a 10-month commitment in teams of 8 to 12 and are assigned to projects throughout the region served by their campus. They are trained in CPR, first aid, public safety, and other skills before beginning their first service project. Members are based at one of five regional campuses and travel to complete service projects throughout those regions.
AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA members live and serve in some of our nation’s poorest urban and rural areas. With passion, commitment, and hard work, they create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Each VISTA member makes a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency.
Campus Compact
The Service Fellow Program is a post-graduate opportunity aimed at developing recent college graduates’ professional skills in the nonprofit arena. ICP will select a full-time Fellow to work as part of ICP’s core team on its Summer of Service (SOS) Initiative, which aims to support and encourage the development of successful SOS programs that engage low-income, at-risk middle school students in improving their communities while engaging in experiential learning that increases their potential for access and success in college and beyond.
Children’s Corps
Children’s Corps seeks to improve life opportunities for all children and families who come to the attention of public child welfare systems throughout the United States. Our mission is to effect change by reducing caseworker turnover, providing more effective assessments and service referrals, as well as creating more positive, permanent outcomes for children and families.
Families USA Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice
The Wellstone Fellow plays an integral role in the work of Families USA’s Field and Minority Health Initiatives Departments. During the year, the Fellow will learn about health reform implementation, minority health, Medicaid, Medicare, and other important health policy issues. At the same time, the Wellstone Fellow will develop an understanding of the tactics and strategies used in state-based consumer health advocacy organizations and will work directly with our network of state consumer health advocates and organizations. This fellowship will last one year. Program deadline: Late January.
FEMA Corps
Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Corporation for National and Community Service have launched an innovative partnership to establish a FEMA-devoted unit of 1,600 service corps members within AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps solely devoted to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Freeman Peace Internships
Internships are available for people between the ages of 19 and 26 who are committed to peace, justice, reconciliation, and nonviolent social change in an interfaith context. Positions are for 11 months providing mentorship, housing, stipend, and health benefits.
IDEX Fellowship in Social Enterprise
The IDEX Fellowship in Social Enterprise is a 10-month professional development program for recent graduates interested in social entrepreneurship. IDEX partners with education entrepreneurs in India to immerse fellows in the daily management and strategic development of a growing social venture. Application Deadline : Late October
Indicorps Fellowship
Each year, Indicorps selects young professionals of Indian origin for one- and two-year service fellowships with grassroots service organizations in India. To be eligible for the fellowship program, you must be a person of Indian origin (Government of India definition) and have at minimum a university degree or five years’ work experience. Individuals apply specifically to projects of their interest.
Jewish Organizing Initiative
The Jewish Organizing Initiative builds a vibrant, pluralistic community of Jewish young adults who learn grassroots community organizing, explore their Jewish identity together, and become leaders in the pursuit of social justice. Our year-long paid community organizing fellowship is a year of field experience and professional development for young Jewish adults (21-30) who are interested in systemic change and community building.
Kip Tiernan Social Justice Fellowship
The Fellowship provides a unique and exciting opportunity for a woman to develop and carry out a special project that will further the mission of Rosie’s Place anywhere in New England. Eligible projects could include: a policy initiative or campaign; a creative arts program; the development and implementation of a needed service; or the creation of an innovative project aimed at reducing poverty, promoting social justice, and empowering poor and homeless women. The Fellowship is 12 months long and is awarded on a one-time basis to an eligible woman. Fellows are paid a $40,000 stipend.
New Israel Fund Social Justice Fellowships
NIF/SHATIL Social Justice Fellows spend 32 hours per week interning in an approved, individually-selected Israeli non-governmental organization (NGO), active in one of the following areas: safeguarding civil and human rights; pursuing environmental justice; Promoting Jewish-Arab equality; advancing the status of women; fostering tolerance and religious pluralism; bridging social and economic gaps.
NYC Civic Corps
The NYC Civic Corps is a diverse group of volunteers who are dispatched in small teams to local organizations for ten months of service, with the charge of engaging New Yorkers in volunteerism and expanding organizational capacity to impact New York City’s most pressing needs.
NIF/Shatil Social Justice Fellowship
The NIF/Shatil Social Justice Fellowship is a 10-month immersive experience in Israel, where fellows work on cutting-edge social justice issues alongside veteran activists. Fellows spend four days per week working on the front lines of social change in Israel at a premiere Israeli social change organization. In addition to monthly seminars, fellows will learn about the coalition and movement building from experts. Living expenses are covered by a stipend. Fellows should have strong Hebrew language skills or proficiency in Arabic.
Peace Corps
Peace Corps Volunteers must commit to two years of service. Volunteers serve in 74 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Volunteers collaborate with local community members to work in areas like education, youth outreach and community development, the environment, and information technology.
PEN American Gap Year Fellowship Program
PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, offers a unique learning opportunity for individuals who are passionate about human rights, free speech, and creative expression, and interested in how the nonprofit sector works. This fellowship opportunity will require a commitment of nine months. It is ideal for a student seeking to take a “gap year” between studies or pausing undergraduate or graduate school. The fellowship provides an opportunity to work with one of the following PEN America departments. Deadline typically in mid to late April.
Princeton in Africa
Through thoughtful placement, we pair young professionals with host organizations to contribute and develop a wide range of critical skills. This impactful year of rewarding international work is filled with support from the Princeton in Africa (PiAf) staff and community, ensuring strong commitment and lasting results that often end in further career advancement and leadership opportunities.
Princeton in Asia
Princeton in Asia provides transformative, service-oriented experiences for talented graduates and serves the needs of Asia as determined by our Asian partners. Princeton in Asia’s Home Office is located on the Princeton University campus. Princeton in Asia is a private, independent, non-profit organization 501(c)(3) affiliated with Princeton University.
Princeton in Latin America
Princeton in Latin America is a non-profit organization that partners with non-profits throughout Latin America to match them with young, public sector professionals seeking full-year fellowships in development work. We are an independent 501(c)3 which is not funded by Princeton University.
Samuel Huntington Public Service Award
The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides a $15,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. The award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for one year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career.
Sistema Fellows Program at New England Conservatory
The Abreu Fellows Program at New England Conservatory trains outstanding young postgraduate musicians and music educators, passionate for their art and for social change, who seek to guide the development of El Sistema programs in the U.S. and beyond. Upon completion of the program, graduates are required to work on behalf of an El Sistema-inspired program in the U.S. for a period of at least one year with the expectation that Fellow alumni will be actively involved in the El Sistema movement for years to come.
The Autry Fellowship
The Autry Fellowship is a competitive fellowship program for talented and ambitious recent college graduates interested in careers in social justice. It provides an opportunity to work for one year at MDC as a full-time, paid staff member. MDC’s work is primarily in the American South, where a history of inequality and exclusion has trapped millions in circumstances below their potential. Application deadline: early January
The Financial Clinic Financial Fellowship Program
The Financial Clinic is a nonprofit financial development firm devoted to improving the financial security of working poor families and stewarding economic reform, is calling for a team of intelligent, entrepreneurial, progressive visionaries for its Financial Fellowship Program. Fellows will serve for one year providing financial services to New York City’s working poor, and innovating solutions to the socio-economic problems they encounter.
The Jeremiah Fellowship
The Jeremiah Fellowship educates and trains a select cohort of young adults to become the next generation of Jewish social justice changemakers.
VIA Global Community Fellowship
The Global Community Fellowship is a 13–15-month program for graduating seniors and young or established professionals. Fellows work at NGOs and schools across Asia to support community development and youth education programs. Candidates include starting and experienced professionals with a BA or BS degree. Although the fellowship is primarily aimed at US citizens, applications are accepted from international residents who have a previous connection to VIA or a substantial US connection. The fellowship provides a living and housing stipend, medical insurance, Intra-Asia travel, and language study grants. After the deadline application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice
The Wellstone Fellowship is a yearlong, full-time, salaried position that will begin in September. The fellow will be engaged in health care advocacy work in Families USA’s office in Washington, DC where he or she will learn about Medicare, Medicaid, efforts to achieve universal coverage, and other important health policy issues.