New America Fellows Program 2026 supports thinkers, creators and storytellers whose work can influence public conversation around important issues. The programme provides selected fellows with funding, a supportive intellectual community and access to platforms and partners to help develop ambitious projects.
The fellowship is designed for journalists, scholars, filmmakers, public policy analysts and other innovative thinkers working on projects that combine research, storytelling and lived experience.
Background & Fellowship Description
The New America Fellows Program provides talented individuals with the opportunity to step away from the demands of the traditional news cycle or highly specialised academic work and pursue ambitious projects intended to reach wider audiences.
Supported projects can include:
- Books
- Films
- Longform journalism
- Photo essays
- Podcasts
- Policy projects
- Creative nonfiction
- Other forms of investigative storytelling
New America Fellows are selected through a highly competitive process.
Most fellows serve on an adjunct basis, while some serve full-time, for a one-year term.
During the fellowship, New America aims to provide fellows with an intellectual home where they have the time, space and resources to develop their projects.
Fellowship Benefits
The programme focuses on three primary areas of support.
Funding
New America provides funding to help talented individuals pursue ambitious projects.
The funding is intended to give fellows the opportunity to dedicate meaningful time and resources to work that may otherwise be difficult to undertake.
Community
Fellows become part of a community of individuals working across different disciplines and perspectives.
Cohort gatherings throughout the year provide opportunities for fellows to exchange ideas, learn from one another and develop professional relationships.
Platforms and Partners
The programme also provides access to platforms and partners that can support fellows’ work.
This can help fellows develop their projects and connect their ideas with broader audiences.
What Fellows Can Work On
The programme supports ambitious projects that can contribute to public discussion and influence how people understand major issues.
Examples given by New America include:
Books
Fellows can develop major nonfiction or other book-length projects.
Films
Filmmakers can pursue projects that use visual storytelling to investigate important contemporary issues.
Longform Storytelling
Journalists and writers can undertake deeper investigations beyond the constraints of the daily news cycle.
Photo Essays
Visual storytellers can develop projects that combine research, photography and narrative.
Policy Projects
Policy analysts and researchers can develop ideas intended to contribute to public policy discussions.
Podcasts and Other Creative Work
The fellowship also supports other creative nonfiction narrative forms capable of reaching broad audiences.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
The source does not specify a universal academic degree, professional certification or minimum educational qualification for all New America Fellows.
Instead, the programme is described broadly as supporting thinkers, creators and storytellers, including:
- Journalists
- Scholars
- Filmmakers
- Public policy analysts
- Writers
- Innovators
Applicants should therefore focus on the strength and significance of their proposed work rather than assuming that a particular degree is mandatory.
Experience
The programme is intended for individuals capable of pursuing ambitious investigative or creative projects.
New America emphasises ideas that can have an impact and spark new conversations about pressing issues.
Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate the ability to develop substantial work and communicate ideas effectively to broader audiences.
The supplied source does not state a specific minimum number of years of professional experience.
Fellowship Duration
New America Fellows generally serve for one year.
Most fellows participate on an adjunct basis, while some serve full-time.
The fellowship gives participants time and space to pursue their projects while remaining connected to the wider New America community.
Additional Information
A Diverse Community of Fellows
New America describes its Fellows Program as supporting voices representing diverse backgrounds and ideologies within the American community.
The programme brings together individuals from different professional and intellectual backgrounds, creating an environment where fellows can challenge and learn from one another.
Public Impact
The programme is particularly interested in work that can reach broad audiences and change how people think about important issues.
This makes the fellowship different from an opportunity focused solely on academic research.
Projects are expected to have the potential to contribute to public conversation through storytelling, research, policy analysis or creative work.
Fellows Archive
New America’s Fellows Archive contains work developed by previous fellows.
Prospective applicants can use the archive to understand the types of ideas and projects that have emerged from the programme.
Explore the Fellows Archive: New America Fellows Archive
Who Should Consider the Fellowship?
The programme may be particularly relevant to:
- Journalists
- Writers
- Researchers
- Scholars
- Filmmakers
- Public policy analysts
- Investigative storytellers
- Creative nonfiction writers
- Policy thinkers
- Innovative thinkers with ambitious projects
Candidates should have a strong idea that can contribute meaningfully to public conversation.
How to Apply
The supplied page identifies a How To Apply section, but the text provided does not include the specific application deadline, application requirements or submission instructions.
Therefore, those details should not be assumed.
Prospective applicants should consult New America’s official fellowship page for the current application process and requirements.
Official New America Fellows Program: New America Fellows
Applicants should review the current How To Apply and FAQs sections before preparing a submission.
Application Tips
Based on the programme description, applicants should consider presenting:
- A clear and ambitious project idea.
- The issue or question the project will address.
- Why the project matters to public conversation.
- How the proposed work can reach a broad audience.
- Evidence of relevant writing, research, journalism, filmmaking, policy or creative experience.
- A clear explanation of what the fellowship would enable them to accomplish.
- The potential impact of the completed project.
These points are practical guidance based on the programme’s stated focus; the supplied source does not present them as an official application checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New America Fellows Program?
It is a fellowship programme supporting thinkers, creators and storytellers working on ambitious projects related to important contemporary issues.
Who can become a New America Fellow?
The programme supports a diverse group of writers, journalists, filmmakers, scholars, public policy analysts and innovators.
How long is the fellowship?
Fellows generally serve for one year.
Is the fellowship full-time?
Most fellows serve on an adjunct basis, while some serve full-time.
Does the fellowship provide funding?
Yes. New America identifies funding as one of the programme’s three primary forms of support.
What other support is provided?
The programme provides a community through cohort gatherings and access to platforms and partners that can support fellows’ work.
What types of projects are supported?
Projects can include books, films, photo essays, longform storytelling, policy projects, podcasts and other creative nonfiction narrative forms.
Is a PhD required?
The supplied information does not identify a PhD as a requirement.
Is there a specific age requirement?
No age requirement is provided in the supplied source.
What is the application deadline?
The supplied text does not provide an application deadline. Applicants should check the current official New America application information.
Final Thoughts
The New America Fellows Program offers an opportunity for innovative thinkers to dedicate time and resources to ambitious projects that can influence public conversation.
Through funding, community and access to platforms and partners, fellows receive support to develop books, films, longform journalism, policy projects, podcasts and other forms of creative nonfiction.
The programme’s one-year structure provides fellows with an intellectual environment where they can step back from routine professional demands and concentrate on work with broader public significance.
Because the supplied information does not include the current application deadline or complete eligibility criteria, prospective applicants should verify those details directly through New America’s official fellowship page before applying.
Explore the official fellowship programme: New America Fellows Program
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