APPLY FOR THE 2024 URBAN LEADERS FELLOWSHIP

Apply Now to The 2024 Urban Leaders Fellowship:

Building community-centered change through effective partnerships, equitable policy, and a network of change agents 

The Urban Leaders Fellowship is a paid summer fellowship that recruits the best and brightest for an intensive, seven-week experience in ten premier cities: Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City, MO, Nashville, New Orleans, Oakland, Tulsa, and Washington D.C.

During the fellowship, our fellows spend half of their time researching and writing critical policy proposals for a partner elected official, supporting the elected official’s development of high-quality legislation.

To impact lasting change, smart policy is not enough, our fellows spend the other half of their time working with an innovative partner organization, from non-profits to tech startups, committed to social justice & community impact.

Developing future leaders is at the heart of ULF. Throughout the fellowship, we will work with you to identify the right career path, connect you with leaders in the field, and provide leadership coaching, career coaching, and ongoing support even after the fellowship ends.

About the Urban Leaders Fellowship:

Fellows engage with a variety of issues such as education, economic development, budget decisions, criminal justice reform, and more. Successful fellows will dedicate seven consecutive weeks to:

• Working part-time (20 hours per week) as a Consultant for a regional partner organization (nonprofit, school district, company, or organization) on a mission-critical project.
• Spending the remaining half of the fellowship (10-15 hours per week) in small policy teams of 2-4 fellows, collaborating with elected/appointed officials to draft policy recommendations.

In addition to independent and small-group work, each cohort, consisting of 10-25 fellows locally and nationally, will receive professional, leadership, and policy development to enhance their understanding of the policy landscape, intersectionality of race, privilege, class, gender, and promote a better understanding of the change they seek through introspection, prework, teamwork, and leadership style analysis.

Eligibility Requirements:

The program seeks diverse applicants in every sense, bringing together fellows from different backgrounds, races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and diverse experiences. While no specific background in legislative policy is required, a passion for learning about policy’s impact on community lives is essential.

Successful ULF fellows typically share the following characteristics:

• Motivated self-starters with initiative and experience in driving both short and long-term projects.
• Collaborative problem-solvers comfortable navigating ambiguity and governing work independently.
• Actively seek diverse perspectives with humility.
• Professionals with at least 2 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree OR 5 years of experience without a bachelor’s degree, possessing excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Committed to personal reflection, professional development, and community transformation through partnerships.
• Aspiring to accelerate leadership through a fellowship with a focus on policy and practice.
• Team players capable of building relationships with various stakeholders (cohort, elected officials, partnering organizations, community members, etc.).
• United States citizens (as of July 2022, ULF no longer accepts international candidates).

Compensation & Benefits:

All fellows will receive a stipend ranging from $3,500 to $5,000 for the entire 7-week fellowship. Fellows are independent contractors, and ULF does not provide health benefits, transportation, housing arrangements, or other support. ULF does offer a limited number of scholarships to help offset additional expenses, available only to accepted fellows as part of the ULF application process. Additionally, ULF will launch an inaugural mentor/mentee program during the fellowship for a select number of fellows seeking additional development in March.

APPLICATION GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT

Below you’ll find a Summer Report on each of the 10 ULF regions. Each Report is a deeper dive into the Policies and Partner Organizations from 2020-2023. Additionally, we have broken down each region’s level of government focus HERE. 

Application Opens: October 30, 2023 | Application Deadline: March 20, 2024
Applicant Webinars: November 16, 2023 | February 15, 2024

Applicant Guidance and Support
More Information

Housing Options for Non-Local Applicants (By Region): 

Apply by March 20, 2024

From the Source on Fellowship and Academic Grants: ProFellow