Many individuals in the United States identify themselves as American Muslims, navigating their unique cultural and religious identities while contributing to their communities and beyond. This article highlights a range of fellowship opportunities designed for American Muslims who are aiming to make significant impacts in fields such as public policy, human rights, women’s rights, film, writing media, and more. These programs are crafted to support and empower this community by addressing issues facing American Muslims and funding those working to improve the portrayal of Muslims in public opinion and policy. They also aim to boost the representation of Muslim Americans in various vocational fields, including public policy roles at Congressional offices, enhancing their contributions to a richer, more inclusive American narrative.
ISF Congressional Policy Fellowship
The ISF Congressional Policy Fellowship is a 9-month, full-time program based in Washington, D.C., designed to immerse American Muslims with a passion for public service in the workings of Congressional offices. This nonpartisan, selective fellowship focuses on legislative and public policy issues, offering hands-on experience in policy research, drafting bills and speeches, and preparing for hearings. Fellows will receive a preparatory orientation upon arrival and are involved in professional development and networking events throughout their tenure. The fellowship offers a salary of $35,000 to cover housing and other expenses, roundtrip airfare to D.C., health insurance reimbursement, placement in a congressional office, and post-program job placement support.
CLDP Summer Program
The Congressional Leadership Development Program (CLDP) offers a unique 10-week fellowship from Memorial Day through August 2nd, targeting exceptional members of the Muslim community who are either undergraduate, graduate students, or recent graduates from accredited U.S. universities. This program allows fellows to secure internships or fellowships on Capitol Hill, supports them in the application process, and offers placements when self-sourced efforts fall through. CLDP fellows benefit from a generous stipend, free housing, and a placement in a Congressional office. The comprehensive support includes pre-program preparation, application material consultations, a thorough orientation, ongoing professional development in policy, mentorship, networking opportunities, and post-program career support.
Tasneem Fatima Khan Fellowship
The Tasneem Fatima Khan Legacy Fellowship honors Mrs. Khan’s enduring contributions to her community through a focus on service, scholarship, and sportsmanship. This fellowship is awarded through the MPAC Public Service Fellowship based on merit and financial need, reflecting Mrs. Khan’s values, including public health, social betterment, and community opportunities. It offers multi-year support of $6,000 annually for three years to students who demonstrate these principles. Applicants must be full-time students, U.S. citizens, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Fellows are involved in various activities such as writing policy memos, participating in Hill meetings, and producing publications on critical issues like women’s and human rights.
Muslim Public Service Network (MPSN) Summer Fellowship
The Muslim Public Service Network (MPSN) Summer Fellowship offers a structured two-month program aimed at nurturing young professionals committed to public service. Ideal candidates are 20 or older, have completed at least two years of college, and have secured a summer job or internship in Washington, D.C., particularly in public service or policy. The program, which does not place applicants in jobs but supports those who have found positions, is intensive and demands full participation in scheduled activities, including lectures and group projects. Fellows enjoy free accommodations and meals at the MPSN residence, where residing is mandatory to foster a fully immersive experience.
Iqra Fellowship Program
The Iqra Fellowship is a transformative year-long program designed to equip students and young professionals with traditional, philosophical, and spiritual foundations for navigating contemporary challenges as Muslims in America. Aiming to develop informed, compassionate leaders who can positively impact mosque communities and Islamic institutions, the fellowship covers topics such as morality, ethics, and intellectual traditions shaping the modern world through an Islamic lens. Applicants should be eager to explore complex ideas, engage actively with challenging content, and practice intellectual humility, proper conduct, and self-reflection. By reading critically, reflecting on context, and applying knowledge in a spiritually rich environment, fellows are prepared to serve as impactful leaders within and outside their communities.
Stanford University Markaz Fellowships
The Markaz is actively seeking engagement from all members of its community, including undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, and alumni, offering various pathways for involvement. Hosted within the Center for Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity (CCSRE), the Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies, and the Center for South Asia, the Markaz Fellowships are designed to encourage student-led discussions on topics relevant to Markaz’s mission. These fellowships include the CCSRE-Markaz Palestine Fellowship, Abbasi-Markaz Fellowship, South Asia-Markaz Fellowship, Anti-Islamophobia Teaching Fellowship, and more. Each fellowship offers unique opportunities for participants to explore and facilitate conversations on critical issues, fostering a deeper understanding and community engagement.
Pillars Artist Fellowship
The Pillars Artist Fellowship offers a transformative opportunity for emerging Muslim artists, providing them with the support and resources necessary to pursue their creative ambitions. Recognizing the scarcity of Muslim voices in shaping today’s media narratives, Pillars Fund collaborates with the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative to address this gap. In partnership with Riz Ahmed and Left Handed Films, the fellowship empowers Muslim directors and writers to redefine storytelling in film and television. Each fellow receives a $25,000 unrestricted award, along with mentorship from industry experts and guidance on navigating Hollywood. With access to a distinguished advisory committee comprising award-winning Muslim professionals, fellows are equipped to impact the entertainment industry.
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Scholarships
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) annually awards multiple need-based scholarships to college students, recognizing their academic achievements and community involvement. The offerings include the Dr. Abdulmunim A. Shakir Scholarship, providing $1,000 each to 20 freshmen in any field; the Hajja Razia Sharif Sheikh Scholarship, offering $1,500 each for studies in Islamic Studies or Journalism; the Amana Mutual Funds Scholarship, granting $2,500 for a student in Finance, Economics, or Mathematics; and the Plainfield Muslim Women for Better Society Scholarship, which awards $500 to two high school seniors from specific Indiana schools demonstrating strong academic and community service records. Each scholarship has distinct criteria, focusing on supporting Muslim students who are actively engaged in enhancing their communities and professional fields.
Arizona State University Connections Fellowship Program
The Connections fellowship program at ASU fosters a collaborative environment among ASU faculty, students, research fellows, and journalists to explore the multifaceted Muslim experience in America. Annually, the program selects a central discussion theme such as “Minorities and Belonging,” “Food and Community,” or others. Each year, a cohort of faculty and students collaborate over a semester with three short-term visiting research fellows and journalists. This group participates in a seminar to enhance professional skills and make their research more publicly accessible. Additionally, fellows organize and engage in conferences, panel discussions, and workshops, contributing to a broader public understanding of issues related to the Muslim community.
ISF Scholarship Program
Since 2009, the Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) has been dedicated to funding American Muslim scholars studying and working in fields that significantly influence public opinion and policy. Offering scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, ISF aims to counter negative portrayals of Muslims in the media, increase the presence of Muslim policymakers, and support the creation of positive narratives around American Muslims. Eligible applicants include Muslim or active members of the Muslim community who are either full-time students or part-time students employed in ISF-supported fields. Supported majors include law, various journalism fields, social justice, and more.
Muslim Storytellers In-Community Retreats
The Muslim Storytellers In-Community Retreats invites Muslim writers and illustrators to apply for an immersive four-day retreat to foster and amplify diverse Muslim narratives in children’s and young adult literature. The retreat provides a supportive environment for both published and unpublished storytellers to develop and share their work, with opportunities for networking and collaborative discussions post-dinner. Scheduled at the Highlights Retreat Center, the program includes fully funded lodging, meals, and a travel stipend of up to $400. Attendance is limited to 24 participants per session to ensure a focused and personal setting.
ZFI Muslim Philanthropy and Humanitarian Studies Fellowship
The Zakat Foundation Institute (ZFI) Fellowship, in collaboration with the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, offers a one-year fellowship program. It allows students to pursue 18 graduate credits leading to dual Graduate Certificates in Philanthropic Studies and Muslim Philanthropy and Humanitarian Studies, both achievable online. To qualify, applicants must be admitted to the relevant Indiana University programs and demonstrate an interest in Islam and Muslim philanthropy. The fellowship includes comprehensive coursework covering the nonprofit sector, ethics, fundraising, and crisis management within Muslim philanthropy. Additionally, fellows must produce a white paper and a book chapter, which ZFI will publish.
MPI Emerging Scholars Award
The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) at Indiana University offers up to $1,000 to support early-career scholars and practitioners specializing in Muslim philanthropy and civil society. Open to current PhD students or recent graduates, it supports activities such as academic conference presentations, data collection, and other research-related expenses. Recipients must utilize the funds within a year, submit a one-page report, and present their findings virtually to the MPI research team. This initiative encourages applications from underrepresented groups and diverse disciplines, though previous winners are not eligible to apply again.
MPI Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) also offers an annual Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship of $5,000 to support early scholars studying Muslim philanthropy or civil society. Open to Ph.D. candidates in the United States who have completed their coursework, this fellowship aims to enhance scholarly contributions to these fields. Applications are accepted starting in September and are due by February 1, 2024, with recipients notified in late spring. This fellowship, not renewable for previous recipients, plays a crucial role in building the field of Muslim philanthropy and fostering academic advancement.
KAICIID Fellows Programme
The KAICIID Fellows Programme offers a one-year, hybrid training initiative focused on capacity development and networking to foster peace through interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Participants in this program form a diverse global network of religious leaders, educators, and dialogue practitioners from various faiths, including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and others. Fellows are organized into international and regional cohorts, the latter operating in their local languages and focusing on regional specifics. The program features three intensive residential training sessions. It supports Fellows with small grants to carry out dialogue projects that address the specific needs of their institutions and communities.
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