New America Fellows

No, New America offers targeted fellowships in its five issue areas, which are separate initiatives that do not go through the New America Fellows Program’s application process. 

To learn more about the organization’s programs, projects, and initiatives, visit this page. To learn more about other fellowship opportunities outside the New America Fellows Program, visit this page.

The Class of 2028 call for applications will go live on Monday, November 16, 2026 with a Monday, February 1, 2027 deadline. Reference letters will be due on Monday, February 8, 2027.

Yes, you can download and review the application instructions file before starting your application by clicking this link: Fellows Program instructions to apply.

Annually, the fellowship begins in September and runs until May of the following year.

The product of the fellowship should be a nonfiction reporting project in the form of a book, film, podcast, longform article, or multimedia work.

The fellowship supports projects that are already in progress. The purpose of the New America Fellows Program is to help Fellows get their work over the finish line. In many cases, Fellows use the unrestricted funding for additional reporting, hiring fact-checkers, or covering other costs that are necessary to advance or complete their project. Those whose projects are still at the concept stage are encouraged to apply in a future cycle, once their work has progressed further.

To be considered, applicants must have done substantial reporting on the project or have significant experience in the field it covers. Most Fellows have a signed contract for a book, a production partner or distributor for a film or podcast, or a publication commissioning their work, but none of these are preconditions for applying.

Interested applicants should visit the Fellows Archive to see the types of projects we have supported over the years. Most are book projects; however, the program has increasingly supported and welcomes other narrative-driven formats.

The Fellows Program supports Fellows as they finish projects already in progress, in three main ways:

Funding: We offer unrestricted financial support, ranging from $15,000 to $30,000, so Fellows can direct resources where their project needs them most as it moves toward completion. Our Fellows have used their fellowship stipends to fund additional reporting and project-related travel, hire fact-checkers or research assistants, cover multimedia production costs, or supplement their income so they can devote more time to the work. While funding alone won’t eliminate every barrier, we aim to provide Fellows more breathing room to finish ambitious stories that challenge perspectives and contribute to public discourse.

Community and Network: We bring our Fellows together and support them in building relationships with one another, with former Fellows, and with issue experts inside and outside of New America. The fellowship begins with an in-person Opening Gathering in Washington, DC, in the fall, followed by virtual monthly gatherings where Fellows receive feedback on their work, troubleshoot challenges, and learn from alumni, outside experts, and each other. Fellows are also encouraged to connect with New America’s policy programs, which house some of the top thinkers in their fields, to deepen their reporting. The program concludes with an in-person Closing Gathering in Washington, DC (typically in May). 

Visibility and Reach: We support Fellows in bringing their completed work to our audiences. We organize project launch events to celebrate the completion of the work. Fellows may also be profiled in New America’s monthly newsletter, The Thread, and are regularly featured in our program newsletter, The Fifth Draft. As part of our programming, we also host skill-building sessions designed to expand Fellows’ networks and amplify their work.

New America Fellows typically remain in their jobs and home city. They come together for the program’s gatherings. The in-person opening gathering lasts three days, is held in Washington, DC, and requires 100% attendance. The virtual gatherings typically take place monthly from November to April, over 60 to 120 minutes. We strongly encourage our Fellows to participate in all events and ask that they attend at least 75% of them. Whether our closing gathering takes place virtually or in person depends on funding and is usually determined toward the end of the calendar year.

The application process is highly selective. We typically accept between 10 and 15 New America Fellows each year. For our Class of 2027, we received 538 applications and selected 14 Fellows.

In reviewing applications, we look for:

• a novel perspective on an important issue, with a project that clearly identifies a problem and brings a new or underexplored narrative to it
• a connection to New America’s mission or the work of our programs, or a topic that is newsworthy, culturally significant, or ahead of the curve
• a clear plan for what the applicant will produce over the course of the fellowship
• past work and expertise that show the applicant can report on the subject and complete the project
• a project where the program’s support would make a real difference in getting the work completed

The timeline for reviewing applications is subject to change and depends on the number of applications we receive. Our selection team will carefully review submissions and participation at each phase of the process and select candidates who will advance to the next phase. At each phase of the application process, our team will communicate with all candidates about the progress of their application.

There are three phases to the selection process:

• PHASE 1: Application Due
  All applications must be completed and submitted online. The Fellows Program staff and expert readers review all applications from February to April. This first review narrows the applicant pool to between 40 and 50 finalists.
• PHASE 2: Finalist Interviews & Committee Review
  All candidates will be made aware of the status of their application in late April, and finalists will be asked to schedule an interview with the program staff at that time. Once we determine the finalists, we send all the applications for review by our Selection Committee, which comprises New America’s President, Fellows Program staff, current and former New America Fellows, and other issue experts in New America’s network. Applications are private—we ask anyone involved in the selection process not to share or discuss any candidates or materials with outsiders.
• PHASE 3: Final Selection
  We expect to make our final selections in early July and will contact the finalists about our decisions then. The Class of 2028 New America Fellows will be publicly announced when they begin their fellowships in September 2027.

We expect Fellows to carve out time and space—at their discretion—to pursue their fellowship projects and make meaningful progress during the fellowship year. However, because this is a nonresidential fellowship, we do not require them to step away from other professional commitments.

Yes. We consider applications from individuals who may be based abroad for all or part of the year, and we accept applications from non-U.S. citizens.

The key expectation is that, regardless of where they are based, New America Fellows remain actively engaged in the New America community. That may include traveling to our offices for events as speakers or moderators, participating in fellowship sessions (virtually or in person), and contributing to New America’s quest of renewing the promise of America.

New America is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has a presence in San Francisco and Chicago that can serve as local hubs for Fellows.

Yes, you are welcome to apply again. When submitting your application, you will be asked whether you’ve applied to the program before.

If you are proposing the same or a similar project, please describe the progress you’ve made since your last application. Our selection committee will review your application with particular attention to how the project has moved forward. We expect to see significant progress, such as substantial new reporting, a completed draft or proposal, a signed book contract, or a production partner or distributor in place.

If you are proposing a new project, simply note your previous project when prompted in the form.

Yes. A proposal, contract, or agent is not required to apply.

However, because the fellowship is designed to help Fellows complete projects already in progress, applications are strongest when they make clear how far the project has come and what the fellowship would help it achieve. Applicants should be able to demonstrate significant progress on their work, whether through substantial reporting, a draft underway, or deep experience in the subject they are covering. For film or podcast projects, those already in production tend to benefit most from the fellowship.

Fellows newer to the publishing or production process also gain access to professional development sessions with experts and a supportive community of past and current Fellows who have published books, produced documentaries, and more.

Before preparing your work samples, please carefully review the Fellows Program instructions to apply, which include page and time limits for written, non-written, and combined samples. You may submit up to three work samples in total.

The strongest samples are closely connected to the project you are proposing. For example, a longform article that laid the groundwork for your book, a draft chapter, or earlier reporting on the same subject. Samples like these help the selection committee assess your expertise in the subject, your ability to communicate with broad audiences, and how far the project has already progressed.

Writing samples can include drafts, unpublished work (such as book proposals, excerpts from sample chapters, or similar materials), or published work (such as articles, book excerpts, op-eds, or similar materials).

Only applicants with non-written fellowship products may submit non-written work samples. Film, podcast, and multimedia samples must be your original work and must have been produced by you. Filmmakers are required to submit a clip, trailer, or sizzle reel of the film they are proposing, so the committee can see the project in progress. Podcast and multimedia applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a comparable excerpt of their proposed work.

Please do not submit TED talks, speech scripts, television interviews, or recordings of presentations. These do not allow the committee to properly evaluate your work.

Applications are kept private, so any work in progress will not be shared with anyone outside of those involved in our selection process.

Yes, as explained in the Fellows Program instructions to apply, you may submit a combination that totals three samples. In other words, you may not submit three writing samples in addition to three video/audio clips. You may share one or two written work samples in combination with one or two audio/visual work samples that may be relevant to your candidacy for the Fellowship. Applications with more than three work samples in total will not be reviewed.

Please use your best judgment when dividing your three-count work sample maximum between the two types of samples. For example, you should not submit a 40-page writing sample if you also plan to submit one or two video/audio clips.

At New America, we value authentic voices and original work. Because the fellowship supports original reporting and storytelling, your application is how the selection committee comes to understand your ideas, your voice, and your ability to carry out your project.

Your application narrative, including your statement of interest, plan of approach, and other written responses, must be written entirely by you. The use of generative AI (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or similar tools) to draft or rewrite any part of it is prohibited. Standard spelling and grammar checks are permitted.

Your work samples must also be your own original writing, reporting, or creative work. AI tools that handle mechanical tasks without generating the substance of the work are acceptable, such as transcription software used for interviews quoted in a written piece, or automated captions and audio cleanup on a film or podcast clip.

Applicants who do not adhere to this policy may be disqualified from consideration.

Unfortunately, no. Given the volume of interest in the program, under no circumstances will the program staff take calls. Further, we cannot provide candidates with direct feedback either on a project idea or the components of an application, as we do not want our feedback to be viewed as an endorsement of an application.

We are certain that you can find enough information on our website to guide you as you prepare your application. Reading through the bios/project summaries for those Fellows in our current class, as well as reviewing the Fellows Archive may be a great starting point.

Yes, we require two reference letters with your fellowship application.

Your references should be familiar with you and your work, and we ask that you send them a copy of your project description so they can comment specifically upon your proposed project. Reference letters must be written in English. Do not send letters written for another purpose, such as a job application. ​You can see if your recommender submitted their letter in the applicant portal.

Your references should be people with whom you have worked closely. They should not be family, friends, or spouses.

You will be asked to submit the names and email addresses of the two individuals who will provide your reference letter in your application. Applications missing reference letters will be considered incomplete.

You can check the status of your letters in the “request two recommendations” section of your application. Once a letter is uploaded, a checkmark will appear by their name. If the circle remains open/empty, that indicates a missing letter.

Additionally, all candidates will receive a confirmation email once your letter has been successfully attached to your application.

Lastly, while the system will send a reminder email to references with a missing letter, you are welcome to send a personal note if your application is missing a letter.

Yes, the most common questions about the program and the application can be found here on this FAQ page. If you wish to dive deeper, browse the work of past fellows in the Fellows Archive, review our recent events, and read our recently published 25 Stories of Impact series.

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of interest in the program, we are unable to accommodate requests to schedule a phone call.

Stipends generally fall into the following levels: $15,000–$30,000. The stipends in each class vary depending on the type of applicants we accept and the funding we secure for that year. There is no need for candidates to address stipends, budgets, etc., in their proposal—you should use the space in your “Statement of Interest” to pitch your idea.

Stipends are typically paid in three installments. Fellows are free to use the stipends they receive in the manner they choose; they may be used for travel, research assistance, multimedia support, or other expenses related to developing the project. Again, how you use the stipend does not have to be addressed in the application—we are far more interested in the ideas upon first consideration.

Unfortunately, no; fellowship stipends and travel payments are made directly to the Fellow and cannot be wired to an institution. If the Fellow chooses to use the funds, for example, to offset their workload, they would need to coordinate that directly with the institution.

Yes, we are open to considering teams of two or more (co-authors or otherwise). However, please note that if a team project is accepted, the funding level remains the same as an individual fellowship award.

If you would like to apply as a team, we would prefer that one of you apply and explain what kind of team arrangement you would like to have—if you would be co-Fellows, one Fellow and an outside collaborator, etc.—in the statement of interest.