What is the Us@250 Initiative at New America?
On July 4, 2026, the nation will mark the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. The commemoration of our nation’s founding should celebrate its progress, spotlight the areas that hinder us from becoming a more perfect union, and spark conversations about the future of America.
New America’s Us@250 initiative seeks to accomplish this by advocating for a reimagination of the American narrative based on three core themes: PRIDE in the nation’s progress from its origins, RECKONING with historical and contemporary wrongs that have caused the nation to fall short of its ideals, and ASPIRATION for a multiracial and inclusive democracy governed by the principles of equality, fairness, and opportunity.
What is the Us@250 Fellowship?
The Us@250 (pronounced “us at 250”) Fellowship provides funding, resources, and community for practitioners engaged in projects that seek to tell a more comprehensive American story; expand our concept of American culture and identity; create connections across differences; and model how an inclusive multiracial society might thrive. The fellowship will facilitate projects in civic engagement, narrative change and storytelling, and cultural education that foster public participation.
Us@250 Fellows will be actively engaged in the work of renewing, reimagining, and realizing the promise of America as we approach our 250th year as a nation. As this program does not require residency in Washington, DC, where New America’s office is based, fellows will continue their work in their local communities for the duration of the fellowship.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for individuals who are professionals, practitioners, and creatives involved in projects that engage the public and directly connect to one or more of Us@250’s core themes of pride, reckoning, and aspiration.
Ideal candidates for this fellowship include storytellers dedicated to educating people about America’s complex history; nonprofit professionals working to bring people together across markers of differences; librarians or curators who create public exhibits or host events that shed new light on aspects of the American story; performing artists who share stories to challenge traditional conceptions of our collective national identity; community leaders who organize service opportunities, facilitate intergenerational friendships, or foster civic engagement and cultural education opportunities; and more.
The common thread among candidates for the Us@250 fellowship is their involvement in public engagement activities and their work centers on the past, present, or future of the country, while also fostering interactions between people from diverse groups.
What’s in it for you?
- An honorarium of $30,000, paid in quarterly installments;
- Regular engagements with a cohort of like-minded practitioners and creatives to facilitate new connections and collaborations, share best practices, and contribute to a community of practice around the future of America;
- Educational and professional development opportunities, including access to New America’s expertise and networks, in-person and virtual panel discussions and seminars, and media training; and
- Connection to the constellation of organizations, programs, and individuals marking the nation’s semiquincentennial to increase the awareness and visibility of your work.
What are the expectations of selected applicants?
- Attend the in-person fellowship orientation in Washington, DC (about a day and a half, expenses covered) in late June as well as the Us@250 initiative’s culminating event in July 2026. Attendance (in-person or virtual) at periodic seminars and panel discussions is strongly encouraged;
- Continue the work that serves as the basis for your Us@250 involvement, making progress toward your interim and overall objectives;
- Prepare a public event that select Us@250 members can attend. This can be an activity you routinely hold (such as a monthly community service event) or an event designed specifically for this fellowship (like a performance, exhibit, convening, etc).
- Act as an ambassador for Us@250 and its core concepts, which include being available for media calls and features, being spotlighted on New America’s social platforms, and sharing the initiative’s narrative framework with your networks.
Application Deadline:
The deadline to apply is April 14, 2023, at 11:59 pm EST.
Account Login & Program Confirmation Questionnaire:
Prior to applying, you will be ed to create a SurveyMonkey Apply account. The first time you log in, you will be asked to select which program application you would like to complete before you can begin your application. Please select “Us@250” and then the “Save my profile” button to be directed to the application.
Your application will automatically save so that you can come back to the form at any time before the deadline.
Status of Your Application:
We will update the status of your application within the portal.
Disclaimer
As a matter of commitment, policy, and law, New America is an equal opportunity employer.
New America's Us@250 Fellowship
What is the Us@250 Initiative at New America?
On July 4, 2026, the nation will mark the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. The commemoration of our nation’s founding should celebrate its progress, spotlight the areas that hinder us from becoming a more perfect union, and spark conversations about the future of America.
New America’s Us@250 initiative seeks to accomplish this by advocating for a reimagination of the American narrative based on three core themes: PRIDE in the nation’s progress from its origins, RECKONING with historical and contemporary wrongs that have caused the nation to fall short of its ideals, and ASPIRATION for a multiracial and inclusive democracy governed by the principles of equality, fairness, and opportunity.
What is the Us@250 Fellowship?
The Us@250 (pronounced “us at 250”) Fellowship provides funding, resources, and community for practitioners engaged in projects that seek to tell a more comprehensive American story; expand our concept of American culture and identity; create connections across differences; and model how an inclusive multiracial society might thrive. The fellowship will facilitate projects in civic engagement, narrative change and storytelling, and cultural education that foster public participation.
Us@250 Fellows will be actively engaged in the work of renewing, reimagining, and realizing the promise of America as we approach our 250th year as a nation. As this program does not require residency in Washington, DC, where New America’s office is based, fellows will continue their work in their local communities for the duration of the fellowship.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for individuals who are professionals, practitioners, and creatives involved in projects that engage the public and directly connect to one or more of Us@250’s core themes of pride, reckoning, and aspiration.
Ideal candidates for this fellowship include storytellers dedicated to educating people about America’s complex history; nonprofit professionals working to bring people together across markers of differences; librarians or curators who create public exhibits or host events that shed new light on aspects of the American story; performing artists who share stories to challenge traditional conceptions of our collective national identity; community leaders who organize service opportunities, facilitate intergenerational friendships, or foster civic engagement and cultural education opportunities; and more.
The common thread among candidates for the Us@250 fellowship is their involvement in public engagement activities and their work centers on the past, present, or future of the country, while also fostering interactions between people from diverse groups.
What’s in it for you?
- An honorarium of $30,000, paid in quarterly installments;
- Regular engagements with a cohort of like-minded practitioners and creatives to facilitate new connections and collaborations, share best practices, and contribute to a community of practice around the future of America;
- Educational and professional development opportunities, including access to New America’s expertise and networks, in-person and virtual panel discussions and seminars, and media training; and
- Connection to the constellation of organizations, programs, and individuals marking the nation’s semiquincentennial to increase the awareness and visibility of your work.
What are the expectations of selected applicants?
- Attend the in-person fellowship orientation in Washington, DC (about a day and a half, expenses covered) in late June as well as the Us@250 initiative’s culminating event in July 2026. Attendance (in-person or virtual) at periodic seminars and panel discussions is strongly encouraged;
- Continue the work that serves as the basis for your Us@250 involvement, making progress toward your interim and overall objectives;
- Prepare a public event that select Us@250 members can attend. This can be an activity you routinely hold (such as a monthly community service event) or an event designed specifically for this fellowship (like a performance, exhibit, convening, etc).
- Act as an ambassador for Us@250 and its core concepts, which include being available for media calls and features, being spotlighted on New America’s social platforms, and sharing the initiative’s narrative framework with your networks.
Application Deadline:
The deadline to apply is April 14, 2023, at 11:59 pm EST.
Account Login & Program Confirmation Questionnaire:
Prior to applying, you will be ed to create a SurveyMonkey Apply account. The first time you log in, you will be asked to select which program application you would like to complete before you can begin your application. Please select “Us@250” and then the “Save my profile” button to be directed to the application.
Your application will automatically save so that you can come back to the form at any time before the deadline.
Status of Your Application:
We will update the status of your application within the portal.
Disclaimer
As a matter of commitment, policy, and law, New America is an equal opportunity employer.