"The Stoneleigh Emerging Leader Fellowship cultivates the next generation of leaders advancing systems change to improve the lives of vulnerable youth.
The Emerging Leader Fellowship is a two-year, hands-on learning opportunity for early career professionals in Philadelphia. Fellows work collaboratively with a host organization to execute discrete projects that simultaneously advance the mission of the organization and enhance Fellows’ skills. These projects focus on improving policies and practices in juvenile justice, child welfare, education, and health.
Emerging Leader Fellows come from diverse educational backgrounds, such as law, social work, public administration, and education. All possess a deep commitment to social justice; are proactive, organized problem-solvers; and are poised to become leaders in their fields. They advance change by advocating for policy and practice improvements, conducting applied research, advancing new approaches to service delivery, employing legal advocacy strategies, and building coalitions and partnerships.
How does the application process work?
Organizations interested in hosting an Emerging Leader Fellow develop project ideas and manage candidate recruitment. Stoneleigh interviews the finalists selected by the host organizations, and presents recommended candidates and projects to its Board of Directors for approval. More information about the process can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions.
The next recruitment cycle will begin in the early fall of 2018; Emerging Leader Fellowships will begin in September 2019 and continue through September 2021.
What types of organizations are eligible to host a Fellow?
The following types of organizations working in Philadelphia are eligible to apply:
Academic institutions (e.g., research centers, academic research hospitals, universities)
Nonprofit organizations (e.g., legal services providers, advocacy organizations, child welfare agencies, other service providers)
Public sector agencies (e.g., local/state government agencies, school district, district attorney’s office, judiciary)
What types of candidates are eligible to become a Fellow?
We are interested in providing an opportunity for early-career professionals who would benefit from the experience of leading a policy, research, or advocacy project. We expect that candidates will have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree within the three years prior to submitting their applications.
Organizations that are currently hosting a Fellow are ineligible to apply.
Staff currently employed full-time by the host organization, including Fellows, are ineligible to apply for the Fellowship. (Interns currently working for the partner organization are, however, eligible to apply.)
We do not support Fellowship projects focused on lobbying or advocacy aimed at influencing specific legislation.
We do not support Fellowship projects that focus exclusively on providing direct services to individuals.
We do not support Fellowship projects that do not impact youth or young adults