Still have questions? Here are the questions we hear most often. Be sure to email us if you need further clarification or have other questions we haven’t addressed.
There won't be a global Fellowship in 2023? What does that mean for prospective Fellows?
Future Fellowship candidates and other stakeholders should check back on the website periodically for updates and opportunities. We remain committed to our mission and look forward to creating the next iteration of the New Voices Fellowship to continue and grow our collective global impact.
Can I apply for the Fellowship program in 2024?
Please keep checking out website! Exciting new opportunities will be announced in 2023.
What is happening in 2023 if there is no Global Fellowship?
We will work closely with our 200+ fellowship alumni community to drive policy impact through the Aspen Global Innovators Communities First Global Collaborative. We plan to move forward with the below activities in 2023:
(1) a high-level policy and advocacy impact incubator program for selected Fellowship alumni,
(2) a series of locally-designed and locally-led regional Fellowship programs starting in Africa and Latin America;
(3) sector-specific Fellowship cohorts to advance specific advocacy goals, and;
(4) deepened financial, operational, media and advocacy support for the more than 200 global experts who form the Aspen New Voices community.
Is the New Voices Fellowship only open to people from African countries?
No! We welcome candidates from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Will I get paid as a New Voices Fellow?
No, but we pay all expenses for the fellowship, and occasionally provide funds for Fellows to participate in media-related activities and conferences.
How much time will I spend on the Fellowship?
The Global Fellowship year is organized around three major group meetings, each of which is approximately one week long. Health considerations will determine whether these meetings will be held in person or remotely in 2022. Regardless of whether we are able to gather in person, your full attendance at these sessions is required. In addition to those training weeks, most fellows estimate spending about 5 hours per week working on fellowship-related activities, including meeting with their mentors, taking part in interviews, and writing opinion pieces.
Can I nominate myself for the Fellowship?
We ask that you find a mentor, supervisor or professor to nominate you, if possible.
If I get many people to nominate me, am I more likely to be chosen as a New Voices Fellow?
No. It’s fine if more than one person nominates you, but this is not a popularity contest. You only need one good nomination so please do not ask multiple people to nominate you.
Can I miss one of your meetings if chosen as a fellow?
These meetings are among the core components of this Fellowship, and are mandatory.
I'm a journalist/PR professional/communications expert. Can I participate in this Fellowship?
We love communications people, but this fellowship is really for development experts, not journalists/PR professionals/communications experts. There are many excellent fellowship programs for journalists, and we encourage you to apply for them!
What do you look for in a New Voices Fellow?
For some examples of what we’re looking for, check out the bios of our previous classes of Fellows. We like people with big ideas, who have a proven track record of implementing them. We also like people with strong personal stories and the ability to think critically about development as it relates to their own experiences. Finally, we’re looking for people who aren’t; shy about sharing their opinions and have strong potential in writing and public speaking.
Is there an age limit for this Fellowship?
No. In fact, we look for people who have experience and recognize that often (but not always) this comes with age.