About the Fellows Program:
New America’s Fellows Program invests in thinkers—journalists, scholars, filmmakers, and public policy analysts—who generate big, bold ideas that have an impact and spark new conversations about the most pressing issues of our day.
Fellows advance ideas through research, reporting, analysis, and storytelling. We support projects—books, films, but also podcasts or unconventional forms of media—that are original, ambitious, and have viable plans for their implementation. There is no set template for a successful fellowship project. Some projects focus on furthering a new public policy idea through a domestic or international lens, while others illuminate longstanding dilemmas of American life from new angles.
Application Deadline:
The application deadline is Monday, February 2, 2026, at 11:59 pm (EST). Reference letters are due by Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm (EST).
Your application will automatically save, allowing you to return to the form at any time before the deadline.
Account Login:
Before applying, you will be asked to create a SurveyMonkey Apply account (please look for an email from "fellowships@newamerica.org" in your inbox) if you do not have one already. If you applied to the Fellows Program in one of the previous three application cycles or have used SurveyMonkey Apply for another opportunity, you can log in with the same account. If you’ve forgotten your password, simply click “Forgot your password?” on the login page to receive a reset link.
Application Instructions & Writing Samples Cover Page Template:
You can review and print the application instructions file before you begin your application. All submissions are final; you cannot edit your application once it has been submitted.
You can download an editable Word version of the writing samples cover page template here. A cover page is required for all written work samples. However, one is not required for non-written work samples, as you will be asked to enter information about your video or audio samples in the form itself.
Submitting Your Two Reference Letters:
You will be asked to submit the names and email addresses of two references within your application. References will receive a unique link to upload their letter via the SurveyMonkey Apply portal. Recommendations will be accepted through Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm (EST).
After you have submitted your request, please ask your reference to search their inbox for an email from "fellowships@newamerica.org", including their spam folder, as some servers may mark the email as spam. If your reference needs support uploading their letter, please ask that they email FellowsProgram@newamerica.org with a PDF version, and we will upload it to your application.
Status of Your Application:
We will update the status of your application within the portal in late April. You will receive an email notifying you accordingly.
Questions:
Unfortunately, due to the volume of interest in the program, we cannot take any calls. If you have questions about the program or the application process, please visit our FAQ page. If you have technical issues with your application or your question has not been addressed in the FAQ, please email FellowsProgram@newamerica.org.
Explore the Fellows Program website to learn more about the program, and review the bios and project summaries of our current class of New America Fellows and the Fellows Archive to learn more about the types of projects we've supported over the years.
Disclaimer
As a matter of commitment, policy, and law, New America is an equal-opportunity employer.
Given the volume of applications we receive, we kindly request that candidates refrain from contacting a member of New America's Board of Directors or staff regarding the status of their application. Applications may be disqualified if this request is not observed.
Fellows Program: Class of 2027
About the Fellows Program:
New America’s Fellows Program invests in thinkers—journalists, scholars, filmmakers, and public policy analysts—who generate big, bold ideas that have an impact and spark new conversations about the most pressing issues of our day.
Fellows advance ideas through research, reporting, analysis, and storytelling. We support projects—books, films, but also podcasts or unconventional forms of media—that are original, ambitious, and have viable plans for their implementation. There is no set template for a successful fellowship project. Some projects focus on furthering a new public policy idea through a domestic or international lens, while others illuminate longstanding dilemmas of American life from new angles.
Application Deadline:
The application deadline is Monday, February 2, 2026, at 11:59 pm (EST). Reference letters are due by Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm (EST).
Your application will automatically save, allowing you to return to the form at any time before the deadline.
Account Login:
Before applying, you will be asked to create a SurveyMonkey Apply account (please look for an email from "fellowships@newamerica.org" in your inbox) if you do not have one already. If you applied to the Fellows Program in one of the previous three application cycles or have used SurveyMonkey Apply for another opportunity, you can log in with the same account. If you’ve forgotten your password, simply click “Forgot your password?” on the login page to receive a reset link.
Application Instructions & Writing Samples Cover Page Template:
You can review and print the application instructions file before you begin your application. All submissions are final; you cannot edit your application once it has been submitted.
You can download an editable Word version of the writing samples cover page template here. A cover page is required for all written work samples. However, one is not required for non-written work samples, as you will be asked to enter information about your video or audio samples in the form itself.
Submitting Your Two Reference Letters:
You will be asked to submit the names and email addresses of two references within your application. References will receive a unique link to upload their letter via the SurveyMonkey Apply portal. Recommendations will be accepted through Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm (EST).
After you have submitted your request, please ask your reference to search their inbox for an email from "fellowships@newamerica.org", including their spam folder, as some servers may mark the email as spam. If your reference needs support uploading their letter, please ask that they email FellowsProgram@newamerica.org with a PDF version, and we will upload it to your application.
Status of Your Application:
We will update the status of your application within the portal in late April. You will receive an email notifying you accordingly.
Questions:
Unfortunately, due to the volume of interest in the program, we cannot take any calls. If you have questions about the program or the application process, please visit our FAQ page. If you have technical issues with your application or your question has not been addressed in the FAQ, please email FellowsProgram@newamerica.org.
Explore the Fellows Program website to learn more about the program, and review the bios and project summaries of our current class of New America Fellows and the Fellows Archive to learn more about the types of projects we've supported over the years.
Disclaimer
As a matter of commitment, policy, and law, New America is an equal-opportunity employer.
Given the volume of applications we receive, we kindly request that candidates refrain from contacting a member of New America's Board of Directors or staff regarding the status of their application. Applications may be disqualified if this request is not observed.