2027 Collaborative Discussion Emerging Fellowship: $6,000 Stipend, Training Scholarship and Mentorship for Community Leaders

The Interactivity Foundation (IF) is inviting applications for its 2027 Collaborative Discussion Emerging Fellowship, a year-long fellowship designed for individuals who are committed to strengthening collaborative discussion, democratic engagement, and community leadership.

The fellowship provides emerging leaders with an opportunity to work alongside experienced Senior Fellows, develop practical skills in collaborative discussion, undertake a community-focused project, and contribute to resources that advance the Interactivity Foundation’s mission.

Selected fellows will receive a $6,000 stipend, a full scholarship for Collaborative Discussion Project Coach Training, funding for travel and expenses associated with two in-person gatherings, mentorship, professional networking opportunities, and the opportunity to co-author a publication, curriculum, or audiovisual project.

Important: The fellowship involves compensated services performed in the United States. Applicants must therefore be legally authorized to work in the United States for the entire fellowship period. The Interactivity Foundation does not sponsor or obtain employment authorization for this fellowship.

About the Interactivity Foundation Collaborative Discussion Fellowship

The Collaborative Discussion Project (CDP) is an ongoing initiative created by dialogue and deliberation experts, practitioners, and educators. It explores how people can think more effectively together and how creative, culturally responsive, and critically informed discussions can contribute to stronger communities.

The 2027 Emerging Fellowship seeks to expand awareness and engagement with the Collaborative Discussion Project among diverse communities.

Through the fellowship, Emerging Fellows will be paired with Senior Fellows, who are experienced leaders in collaborative discussion. Together, they will explore ways to strengthen dialogue and take meaningful action within communities over the course of a year.

The fellowship is particularly suited to individuals who want to develop their leadership abilities while applying collaborative discussion approaches to real-world community challenges.

What Is the 2027 Emerging Fellowship About?

The fellowship focuses on the practical application of collaborative discussion skills and mindsets.

Rather than being solely an academic or classroom-based program, fellows will be expected to work on a project that advances collaborative discussion within a community or among a particular audience.

Potential projects could include:

• Designing and delivering a workshop.
• Creating a Collaborative Discussion certificate program.
• Developing a new activity for the Collaborative Discussion Project Toolkit.
• Introducing the Collaborative Discussion Project to new audiences.
• Developing innovative approaches for strengthening dialogue within a community.
• Creating educational or community resources that encourage constructive discussion.

In addition to their community project, fellows will produce a publication, video, or new curriculum that contributes to the mission of the Interactivity Foundation.

Key Benefits of the Collaborative Discussion Emerging Fellowship

Selected fellows will have access to several financial, professional, educational, and networking benefits.

$6,000 Fellowship Stipend

Each selected Emerging Fellow will receive a $6,000 stipend, which will be paid in three installments during the fellowship.

This provides financial support while fellows participate in the year-long program and undertake their collaborative discussion project.

Full Collaborative Discussion Coach Training Scholarship

Fellows receive a full scholarship to the Collaborative Discussion Project Coach Training, valued at $495.

The training is intended to help participants develop practical knowledge and skills for facilitating collaborative discussions.

Travel and Expenses Covered

The fellowship includes two in-person gatherings, with travel and related expenses covered for participating fellows.

This provides opportunities for fellows to meet other participants, mentors, and leaders working in the collaborative discussion field.

Real-World Community Project

Fellows will complete a project designed to bring collaborative discussion skills and approaches into a real community setting.

This could allow participants to translate the knowledge gained through the fellowship into practical community impact.

Co-Author Opportunity

Fellows will receive co-author credit on a deliverable. Depending on the project, this could take the form of:

• A written publication.
• A new curriculum.
• An audiovisual media project.

This can provide participants with a tangible professional output from their fellowship experience.

Mentorship and Professional Network

Each Emerging Fellow will be partnered with a Senior Fellow who will provide mentorship and support throughout the program.

Participants will also take part in monthly virtual meetings with a network of mentors and peers working in collaborative discussion and efforts to strengthen democracy.

Who Should Apply?

The Interactivity Foundation is seeking individuals who have a demonstrated commitment to collaborative discussion and/or strengthening democracy within a particular community.

The organization welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, careers, ages, identities, political affiliations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, and lived experiences.

The fellowship is also intended to help nurture new and diverse leadership. Applicants who have not previously had an opportunity of this kind are specifically welcomed.

Potential applicants may therefore include individuals involved in:

• Community leadership.
• Civic engagement.
• Dialogue and deliberation.
• Education.
• Youth development.
• Community organizing.
• Social-impact initiatives.
• Public engagement.
• Democratic participation.
• Facilitation and discussion.
• Community-based projects.
• Other activities focused on strengthening constructive discussion within communities.

The central consideration described by the Interactivity Foundation is a demonstrated commitment to collaborative discussion and/or strengthening democracy within a particular community.

U.S. Work Authorization Requirement

One of the most important eligibility requirements is related to employment authorization.

The fellowship requires compensated services to be performed in the United States.

Therefore, selected fellows must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the entire fellowship period.

The Interactivity Foundation explicitly states that it is unable to sponsor or obtain employment authorization for fellows.

Applicants who are outside the United States should therefore carefully consider this requirement before applying.

Fellowship Activities and Responsibilities

The 2027 Emerging Fellowship is structured around several activities that take place throughout the year.

Participants will be expected to participate in required virtual sessions, meetings, training, project work, and in-person gatherings.

The program includes:

1. In-person Fellows Launch
2. Virtual Collaborative Discussion Coach Training
3. Monthly virtual meetings
4. Project proposal development
5. Community project implementation
6. Progress reporting and deliverables
7. Final reporting
8. In-person Fellows Showcase

Applicants must be able to participate in all required virtual and in-person dates.

2027 Fellowship Timeline

The fellowship follows a structured schedule beginning in January 2027 and continuing through the year.

January 7–8, 2027 — In-Person Fellows Launch

The fellowship begins with an in-person Fellows Launch at the University of Delaware.

This gathering will bring fellows together at the beginning of the program.

January 20, 27 and February 3, 10 and 17 — Coach Training

Fellows will participate in virtual Collaborative Discussion Coach Training on Wednesdays from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The scheduled dates are:

• January 20
• January 27
• February 3
• February 10
• February 17

March–October — Monthly Virtual Meetings

Monthly virtual meetings will take place on the first Wednesday of each month from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The scheduled dates are:

• March 3
• April 7
• May 5
• June 2
• July 7
• August 4
• September 1
• October 6

March 12 — Project Proposal Due

Fellows will be required to submit their project proposal by March 12, 2027.

The proposal will outline the project they intend to undertake during the fellowship.

July 2 — Progress Report and Deliverable Due

Participants must submit their progress report and deliverable by July 2, 2027.

This provides an opportunity to document progress on the community project and associated fellowship work.

October 1 — Final Report Due

The fellowship’s final report will be due on October 1, 2027.

November 4–6 — In-Person Fellows Showcase

The fellowship will conclude with an in-person Fellows Showcase scheduled for November 4–6, 2027.

The location of this gathering is listed as to be determined (TBD).

Application and Selection Timeline

Applicants should pay close attention to the application and notification dates.

Application Deadline

The 2027 Collaborative Discussion Emerging Fellowship application closes on November 8, 2026, at midnight.

December 4, 2026 — Fellows Notified

Applicants will be notified of the fellowship selection decision on December 4, 2026.

December 9, 2026 — Acceptance Deadline

Selected fellows must accept the fellowship by December 9, 2026.

December 15, 2026 — Administrative and Travel Arrangements

By December 15, 2026, selected fellows will need to:

• Submit their W-9.
• Submit ACH authorization.
• Finalize travel arrangements.

Who Can Apply?

The opportunity is intended for individuals who have a demonstrated commitment to collaborative discussion and/or strengthening democracy within a particular community.

The Interactivity Foundation welcomes applicants from diverse:

• Age groups.
• Career backgrounds.
• Identities.
• Political affiliations.
• Racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Religious backgrounds.
• Socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Lived experiences.

The organization particularly emphasizes nurturing new and diverse leadership, including people who have not previously had access to a fellowship opportunity like this.

However, applicants must also meet the fellowship’s U.S. work authorization requirement because the fellowship involves compensated services performed in the United States.

Geographic Eligibility

The fellowship does not state a conventional country or continental restriction such as “open only to citizens of specific countries.”

Instead, the critical geographic and employment requirement is that selected fellows must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the entire fellowship period.

The Interactivity Foundation does not provide sponsorship or obtain employment authorization for participants.

Therefore, international applicants should only apply if they already have the required legal authorization to perform compensated work in the United States throughout the fellowship period.

Race, Ethnicity and Diversity

The fellowship is open to people from a wide range of racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The Interactivity Foundation explicitly welcomes applicants from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as different identities, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, careers, ages, political affiliations, and lived experiences.

The program’s emphasis on diverse leadership means that applicants should not assume that a particular racial or ethnic background is required unless additional eligibility information provided by the Foundation states otherwise.

What Will Fellows Work On?

A central component of the fellowship is the development and completion of a practical project.

The project should advance collaborative discussion and could take several forms.

For example, a fellow could:

• Develop a community workshop.
• Design a new educational activity.
• Create a certificate program.
• Develop an addition to the CDP Toolkit.
• Introduce collaborative discussion techniques to an underserved or previously unreached audience.
• Develop innovative methods for facilitating meaningful discussion.
• Produce educational materials that support collaborative dialogue.

The specific project will depend on the fellow’s interests, community, skills, and discussions with their Senior Fellow.

Mentorship Through Senior Fellows

An important feature of the program is the pairing of Emerging Fellows with Senior Fellows.

The Senior Fellow will meet regularly with the Emerging Fellow and provide mentorship and support throughout the program.

This arrangement gives participants the opportunity to learn from people with experience in collaborative discussion and related community work while developing their own ideas and leadership capabilities.

Training and Professional Development

The fellowship provides structured training through the Collaborative Discussion Project Coach Training.

The training is designed to help fellows build knowledge and practical skills related to collaborative discussion.

Because the training is included as a full scholarship valued at $495, fellows can gain this professional development without paying the listed training cost.

Participants will also have opportunities to learn through:

• Monthly meetings.
• Peer interaction.
• Senior Fellow mentorship.
• Community project implementation.
• In-person gatherings.
• Production of professional deliverables.

Why the Fellowship Can Be Valuable for Emerging Leaders

The program combines several elements that are useful for people developing leadership and community engagement experience.

Participants can gain practical experience by moving beyond theoretical discussions and implementing a real-world project.

They can also build a professional network through interaction with Senior Fellows, mentors, and other Emerging Fellows.

The opportunity to co-author a publication, curriculum, or audiovisual project can also give participants a concrete professional output that demonstrates their work in collaborative discussion.

Important Commitment Requirements

Before applying, prospective applicants should carefully consider whether they can meet the program’s participation requirements.

Applicants must be prepared to participate in:

• The January in-person Fellows Launch.
• All scheduled virtual Coach Training sessions.
• Monthly virtual meetings from March through October.
• Project development and implementation.
• Required reporting and deliverables.
• The November Fellows Showcase.
• Other required fellowship activities.

The fellowship is therefore a year-long commitment rather than a short-term training program.

Important Dates at a Glance

Date	Activity
November 8, 2026	Application closes at midnight
December 4, 2026	Fellows notified
December 9, 2026	Deadline to accept fellowship
December 15, 2026	W-9, ACH authorization and travel arrangements due
January 7–8, 2027	In-person Fellows Launch
January 20, 27, February 3, 10 and 17	Virtual Coach Training
March 3–October 6, 2027	Monthly virtual meetings
March 12, 2027	Project proposal due
July 2, 2027	Progress report and deliverable due
October 1, 2027	Final report due
November 4–6, 2027	In-person Fellows Showcase

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete the official online application before the application deadline.

The application should be submitted through the application form provided by the Interactivity Foundation.

Applicants should also carefully review the fellowship requirements, particularly the requirement concerning legal authorization to perform compensated services in the United States.

Application Link

Apply Now:
https://forms.gle/wxcWemHPrKn9qqXB6

Official Website

Interactivity Foundation:
https://www.interactivityfoundation.org/

For more fellowship programs visit the OFY Website HERE

Questions and Further Information

Applicants who need additional information can contact the Interactivity Foundation’s Collaborative Discussion Project team at:

cdp@interactivityfoundation.org

The Foundation also recommends joining one of its upcoming virtual webinars for additional information about the Collaborative Discussion Project and its resources.

The listed webinar dates are:

• September 18, 2026
• October 22, 2026

Applicants can also explore the Foundation’s previous and current fellows to learn more about the fellowship community and the types of work associated with the program.

Conclusion

The 2027 Collaborative Discussion Emerging Fellowship offers a year-long opportunity for individuals committed to collaborative discussion, community engagement, and strengthening democratic participation to develop their skills and undertake a practical community project.

The fellowship combines a $6,000 stipend, a $495 Coach Training scholarship, covered travel and expenses for two in-person gatherings, mentorship from Senior Fellows, professional networking, and the opportunity to co-author a publication, curriculum, or audiovisual project.

The program is particularly focused on developing new and diverse leadership and welcomes applicants with a wide variety of backgrounds and lived experiences. At the same time, applicants should pay close attention to the requirement that fellows must be legally authorized to perform compensated services in the United States for the entire fellowship period, as the Interactivity Foundation does not provide employment authorization sponsorship.

The application deadline is November 8, 2026, at midnight. Interested candidates should review the requirements carefully and submit their application through the official application form before the deadline.