Building better cities.
City roll call
Urban Leaders Fellows Program FAQs
What aspect of my application matters most?
The proposed area of focus for your fellowship. Make sure that proposal is interesting — we get lots of applications from people who look great on paper, but it’s essential that those credentials are backed by interesting story ideas. Then make sure your writing samples are strong — great preference is given to those who have published their writing, even on a blog post. Regardless, all writing samples must demonstrate the ability to work with an editor.
You mention that you’re not as interested in applications from New York, Louisiana or California — why?
We received numerous applications from people in these states — and these states just happen to be where many of our current contributors come from. Your application has to be twice as impressive if you come from those states.
How detailed should my proposal be?
Give us the details! Take a stab at outlining those two feature articles and how your topic would sustain you for nine months.
I will most likely be employed during the term of the fellowship. I know that you state that the obligations are part-time, but is it acceptable if my job does not necessarily relate directly to my field of interest?
We aren’t concerned about your job so long as you are able to fulfill your duties as a fellow. This may include occasional trips to Philadelphia or other cities to participate in events. But most importantly it would require you to put in a fair number of hours for the fellowship itself—be prepared to spend at least 10 hours a week between writing blog posts, writing feature assignments, and research.
I do not have extensive short-form publication experience. I have written a couple of small articles and have had my academic work published in student journals, but I am not a professional writer by any means. Is this considered a disadvantage?
Clearly those with some publication experience are at an advantage — not because their writing is necessarily stronger, but because they are accustomed to basic journalistic practice in terms of forming articles, talking with sources, research, fact-checking, etc. Non-published applicants will also be accepted as long as they submit writing samples.
Is the program more geared towards students, or are there working professionals involved as well?
The program is geared toward mature, ambitious students and working professionals.
What is your stance regarding the continuation of research related to the work that I have already done? Do you prefer that the area of interest be relatively new for the candidates or would a differently conceived form of my academic research be equally eligible?
It doesn’t matter to us whether this project is old or new.
No.
Can photographers apply?
You can apply, and you might get our attention for inclusion in a future issue, but unfortunately you will likely not get the fellowship. The purpose of the fellowship is to incorporate new writing talent in the publication.
Is it possible for two people to submit together as a joint fellowship?
No.
What is the maximum length of each of the three writing samples?
Each piece should be no more than 4,000 words, so the total should not exceed 12,000 words.
You provide samples of appropriate topics for the interest area. My question is: How specific and fully-developed should the interest area be?
Please get as specific as you can. We’d love to know if you have particular story ideas you’d work on with the fellowship, people you’d likely interview, etc.
How many fellowships are offered? How many applications do you typically receive per round?
We will be offering one for the fall and one for the winter. We just started this program and so have no idea how many applications we will receive. Our estimate is about 50 applications per session.
If I apply and my application is not accepted, can I apply again?
Yes, try and try again.
What does “periodic visits to Philadelphia” mean?
It means coming to our offices in Philadelphia roughly three or four times during the duration of the fellowship.
I’m a foreigner — is that ok?
Yes, we will happily give the money to a foreigner living in the US; we are less inclined to have someone writing for us abroad. It is called Next American City, after all.
Special Thanks
The Urban Leaders Fellowship Program has been made possible through a generous gift of Dan and Joanna Rose. Next American City deeply appreciates their support.
