About Collaborative Discussion Fellowships
How do we think better together? How does creative, culturally responsive, and critically informed discussion help us to build stronger communities? The Collaborative Discussion Project is an on-going experiment created by dialogue and deliberation experts, practitioners, and educators to explore these questions.
The 2027 Emerging Fellowship Program seeks to advance awareness of and engagement in IF’s Collaborative Discussion Project among diverse communities to expand our reach. Emerging Fellows are paired with Senior Fellows, who are leaders in collaborative discussion to explore these questions and take meaningful action to address them over the course of a year.
Who should apply?
The Interactivity Foundation is seeking applicants for its Collaborative Discussion Fellowship, a year-long opportunity for individuals committed to strengthening collaborative discussion and democracy in their communities.
The fellowship is designed for people who have a demonstrated commitment to collaborative discussion and/or strengthening democracy in a particular community. IF welcomes applicants from a wide range of ages, careers, identities, political affiliations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, and lived experiences. We are excited about individuals who have not had an opportunity like this in the past as we are seeking to nurture new and diverse leadership.
Note: This fellowship requires compensated services to be performed in the United States. Selected fellows must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the entire fellowship period. IF is unable to sponsor or obtain employment authorization for this fellowship.
Benefits
- A $6,000 stipend (paid in three installments)
- Full scholarship to CDP Coach Training ($495 value)
- Travel and expenses covered for two in-person gatherings
- Completion of a real world project bringing collaborative discussion skills and mindsets to a community
- Co-author credit on a deliverable: written piece, new curriculum and or audiovisual media project
- Monthly virtual meetings with a network of mentors and peers working in collaborative discussion and strengthening democracy
Fellowship Program
As part of the fellowship, participants will complete a project that advances collaborative discussion. Possible projects might include designing and delivering a workshop, creating a Collaborative Discussion certificate program, developing a new activity for the CDP Toolkit, or finding an innovative way to introduce the Collaborative Discussion Project to new audiences. Fellows will also produce a publication, video or new curriculum that advances IF’s mission.
The fellowship includes two in-person gatherings, virtual Collaborative Discussion Coach Training, and monthly virtual meetings throughout the fellowship period. Each applicant will be partnered with a Senior Fellow who will meet regularly with them to provide mentorship and support. Applicants must be able to participate in all required virtual and in-person dates.
Important Dates
- *Jan 7-8: In-Person Fellows Launch (University of Delaware)*
- Jan 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 17 Weds 12 – 3 pm Eastern: CDP Virtual Coach Training
- Mar thru Oct: Monthly Virtual Meetings on first Weds 12-1pm Eastern Mar 3, Apr 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, Aug 4, Sep 1, Oct 6
- Mar 12: Project Proposal due
- July 2: Progress Report and Deliverable due
- Oct 1: Final Report due
- Nov 4-6: In-Person Fellows Showcase (Location TBD)
*We are thankful for the generous support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Ithaca Initiative and Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration for hosting our fellowship at the University of Delaware.
Application Dates
Nov 8, 2026: Application Closes at midnight Eastern
Dec 4, 2026: Fellows Notified
Dec 9, 2026: Due Date to Accept
Dec 15, 2026: Submit W-9 and ACH Authorization and finalize travel arrangements
Interested in bringing collaborative discussion to your community while developing your own leadership, skills, and ideas? We encourage you to apply.
Questions?
- For more information on the Fellowship (and IF in general) please join one of our upcoming virtual webinars on either Sept 18 or Oct 22.
- Contact [email protected]
To see our 2026 Fellows and hear more from them, please visit the Interactivity Foundation YouTube channel.
