2020 Interfaith Innovation Fellowship Application

In a time of political and cultural division, our nation is in need of interfaith leaders who can build bridges across difference.  IFYC Alumni do this work throughout many sectors of society.  Thus, we are proud to support the ongoing leadership development and impact of our Alumni with the Interfaith Innovation Fellowship.  This fellowship is an opportunity for leaders to learn from each other and experts in the field of innovation.

Alumni with creative ideas for social change centered on interfaith cooperation are invited to apply for the 2020 Cohort of the Interfaith Innovation Fellowship.  If you would like to take a look at the questions that are asked in the application, you can click here.
 

General Application/Fellowship Timeline: 

• The application will be open until Monday, November 4, 2019 at 11:59 PM CT.
• Fellows will be selected and notified by the end of December 2019.
• The fellowship will run through  January 2020 through October 2020.
• $5,000 grants  will be awarded in February 2020.

 Fellows  will be responsible for: 

• Designing or implementing an interfaith solution to a community issue.
• Participating in five virtual calls with the cohort.
   
  • Virtual call schedule:
     
    • Thurs, Jan 23, 6-7:30 CT
    • Thurs, Feb 20, 6-7:30 CT
    • Thurs, May 7, 6-7:30 CT
    • Aug TBA
    • Oct TBA
• Attending an exclusive retreat in Chicago, IL from Saturday, March 7  through Monday, March 9, 2019 (IFYC will cover flights, accommodations, ground transportation and meals during the retreat).
• Completing an individual pre- and post- fellowship survey, a mid-point reflection, and a final report.

The ideal applicant will be a self-starter who works well with limited supervision, follows through on commitments, communicates clearly, and solves problems creatively. Their proposed project will prioritize interfaith cooperation, benefit a community facing a pressing social issue, and impact people of varied religious and/or non-religious traditions.  Fellows are expected to launch their idea within the next 12-18 months.  We welcome applicants who wish to discuss if they or their projects will be a potential fit to contact Hannah Willage, by e-mail at hannahw@ifyc.org or phone at 312-533-4206.

Examples:
Please note that this is only a sampling of previous  projects and we are eager to see your innovative ideas. Use this list to guide your thinking, but not to limit it. 

Past Fellows:

• Created a medical school student group to explore the intersections of faith and healthcare.
• Recorded a monthly podcast featuring interviews with activists discussing how their faith inspires their environmental justice work.
• Planned an interfaith leadership retreat for teens in partnership with a local nonprofit supporting youth from immigrant families.