ProFellow’s mission is to make funding opportunities more accessible to diverse audiences and to share advice on the competitive application process. We curate funded fellowship opportunities for students, academics, and professionals across all career stages and disciplines and publish content written by fellowship winners who aim to pay it forward and inspire the next generation of fellows. Each year, we identify the most popular fellowships based on the activity of our community of more than 260,000 fellowship seekers who find and bookmark fellowships in our free comprehensive funding database. The Top 10 Most Popular Fellowships of 2023 were identified based on the number of times they’ve been bookmarked by our community this year.
Congratulations to the fellowship programs that made the list! The ProFellow community thanks you for providing opportunities for those seeking funding and support to achieve social impact.
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If you enjoy this list, you may also want to see The 10 Trendiest Fellowships of 2023.
1. IDEAS Fellowship
The IDEAS Fellowship is a two-year, cohort-based program designed to incubate and accelerate the next generation of connected leaders advancing IDEAS: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Social Justice in their workplaces and communities. In year one, fellows attend 8-12 hours per month remotely/virtually, and in year two, fellows are placed at a partner organization. Fellows attend an in-person orientation and receive mentorship, professional coaching with industry leaders, skill-building intensives, and a monthly stipend of $1,000.
2. Bellagio Center Residency Program
The Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center Residency Program offers academics, artists, policymakers, and practitioners an opportunity to spend 4 weeks of focused time to complete a specific project in a group setting at The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center in Bellagio Italy, Lake Como. Projects can be based on any topic but must demonstrate clear social impact and charitable purpose. The residency offers a shared community experience of up to 15 scholars, artists, or practitioners worldwide. Residents can bring a partner or significant other to join the residency for all or a portion of their stay, and travel funding is available when there is a financial need.
3. Fulbright U.S. Student Program for Study/Research
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program for Study/Research provides funding for post-graduate students and professionals to pursue graduate study and individually designed study/research projects during one academic year (9-12 months) in a country outside of the United States. Applicants create their projects and will typically work with advisers at foreign universities or other institutes of higher education. The study/research awards are available in approximately 130 countries. Undergraduate and graduate students must apply through their institution; professionals and former students can apply through their alma mater or At Large.
Interested in this fellowship? Read our interview with Fulbright U.S. Student Program Study/Research fellow Tyler Pugeda.
4. Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity
The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity program is a 1-year non-residential part-time fellowship for early and mid-career professionals from anywhere in the world currently engaged in health-related work and leadership roles or a position with leadership potential. The program aims to combat the life-limiting disparities in health and health care worldwide through training and mentorship. The program involves five weekly in-person meetings globally, bi-weekly 90-minute online sessions led by AFHE faculty, and 12-16 hours of monthly self-directed learning and mandatory attendance and engagement in coursework. All related educational experiences and travel expenses are covered.
5. Echoing Green Fellowship
The Echoing Green Fellowship is a full-time, 18-month fellowship that provides funding, training, mentorship, and support for social innovators, visionary leaders, and changemakers working to improve the world through their organizations. The fellowship provides an $80,000 stipend, leadership development, wellness, and well-being support, expert support and resources, and virtual and in-person convenings. Fellows can be based anywhere in the world and must be the primary decision-makers for the organization. Organizations can be structured as nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid. Black, Indigenous, and people of color who are committed to upending structural oppression and creating change in their communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Interested in this fellowship? Read our interview with Echoing Green fellow Juliana Gutiérrez.
6. Samvid Scholars Program
The Samvid Scholars Program is a two-year program for changemakers and future leaders who aim to positively change the community around them. Scholars become part of a cohort where they participate in summer conferences, bi-monthly small-group discussions, and virtual events for professional development. They also review $50,000 each year to lessen the financial burden of pursuing a postsecondary or professional degree. To be eligible, students must be in their first year and in one of the following graduate programs: MD, MBA, JD, MPP/MPA, MPH, and MS/MA in social sciences or STEM.
7. W.E.B. Du Bois Fellowship in Support of Diversity and Inclusion
The W.E.B. Du Bois Fellowship, established in 2023 through collaboration between the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell University and The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), is designed to enhance diversity and inclusion in polling research. Open to graduate students currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university who identify as members of underrepresented racial or ethnic minority groups in polling research, the fellowship focuses on creating introductory-level instructional materials for public opinion survey research. Fellows, who receive a $5,000 stipend and complimentary AAPOR membership, engage in online activities, including weekly discussions with leaders in polling research.
8. Google Public Policy Fellowship
The U.S. Google Public Policy Fellowship is a year-round, one-semester fellowship for students interested in Internet and technology policy. Fellows work closely with a mentor at a host organization, contributing to the public dialogue while exploring their professional interests. Regardless of major or degree program, eligible candidates are encouraged to apply, provided they showcase a commitment to Internet and technology policy, along with excellent academic records and skills in analysis, communication, research, and writing. Stipends are $12,000 for full-time fellows and $6,000 for part-time fellows.
Be sure to read fellowship winner Marianna Elvira’s tips for your own Google Public Policy Fellowship application!
9. Women’s International Study Center (WISC) Fellowships
The Women’s International Study Center (WISC) offers fellowships designed to inspire and empower women across various disciplines. One-month residences are provided to writers, artists, scholars, scientists, professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs to create projects aligned with WWISC’sfocus areas. These include the arts, sciences, cultural preservation, business, and philanthropy. Applicants can be at any career stage and must submit proposals relevant to women’s interests and experiences.
Watch our interview with Dr. Mi’Jan Tho-Biaz, who won not only the WISC Fellowship, but many others as well!
10. Obama Foundation Leaders Program
The Obama FFoundation’sLeaders program is a transformative initiative dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and connecting changemakers across the globe to foster enduring positive change within their communities and regions. Tailored for emerging leaders aged 24-45, the program transcends borders and sectors, bringing together individuals from diverse nations and territories. This comprehensive program encompasses practical skill-building for social change, leadership coaching, critical issue discussions, and small-group support. Leaders gain a profound understanding of how values-based leadership enhances their ability to effect change and are inspired to take decisive action, armed with new ideas and skills. Fellows also become part of a dynamic global alumni community of nearly 900 active changemakers.
If you enjoyed learning about these fellowships, be sure to also check out The 10 Trendiest Fellowships of 2023!
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