CSREA Practitioner Fellowship (Spring 2026)

Location: Virtual
Open Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Application Deadline: Thursday, April 17, 2025

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Fellowship Overview

Brown University's Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America (CSREA) is a leading voice in exploring and researching complex social and cultural issues related to educational, economic, and political resources, as well as the dynamics of power within society. It brings together scholars and practitioners at the forefront of addressing the most pressing questions about race, ethnicity, and their intersections with other social factors.

CSREA invites applications for its Practitioner Fellowship for the Spring 2026 semester. This fellowship is designed for artists, writers, media makers, and practitioners whose work critically engages with race, ethnicity, and/or indigeneity in the United States and the Americas. Projects with transnational dimensions related to the U.S. are also encouraged.

CSREA’s Practitioner Fellowship fosters intellectual and creative exchange, providing fellows with access to Brown University resources, virtual engagement with the CSREA community, and opportunities to share their work. Fellows are expected to contribute to CSREA’s mission to:

• Build collaborative networks among scholars and students working on race and ethnicity
• Engage in generative public conversations on pivotal issues
• Enhance public knowledge about racial and ethnic disparities, discrimination, and well-being
• Support efforts toward a fair and more just multiracial and multiethnic democracy and equitable society

Fellowship Structure & Expectations

• Virtual Engagement: Fellows will participate in a fully remote semester-long program with a possible in-person capstone event at Brown University.
• Research & Creative Output: Fellows are expected to develop and present work that aligns with CSREA’s mission. This can take the form of research projects, creative media, public scholarship, or interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Community Participation: Fellows will engage with the Brown University community through virtual workshops, discussions, and networking events.
• Possible In-Person Capstone Event: Fellows may potentially have the opportunity to participate in an in-person capstone gathering (travel and lodging covered), where they will present their work and engage in dialogue with peers and scholars.

Fellowship Benefits

• $10,000 taxable stipend for the Spring 2026 semester
• Access to Brown University resources, including select library and research materials
• Participation in the virtual Practitioner Fellows Workshop (number of sessions TBD)
• Possibility of an in-person capstone event in accordance with Brown University’s prevailing travel expense policies.

Eligibility

• Open to artists, writers, media makers, and practitioners whose work critically engages with race, ethnicity, and/or indigeneity in the United States and the Americas and/or related comparative transnational contexts.
• Applicants must be external to Brown University at the time of the fellowship.
• Fellows are responsible for their own expenses (including health benefits) outside of the provided stipend.

Application Process

To apply, candidates must submit the following materials:

1. A current CV or résumé
2. A statement of purpose (1-2 pages) outlining:
   • The focus of their work and how it engages with race, ethnicity, and/or indigeneity
   • How the fellowship will support their professional and creative development
   • How they plan to engage with the CSREA community
3. A project proposal (2-3 pages) describing the work they intend to pursue during the fellowship, including its significance, methodology, and expected outcomes
4. Work samples (optional but encouraged, depending on the nature of the project)

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance and impact of the proposed project in relation to CSREA’s mission
• Strength and clarity of the proposal’s research, artistic, or creative focus
• Potential for engagement with the CSREA and Brown University community
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing conversations on race, ethnicity, and indigeneity

Qualifications

• For artists, media makers, and writers external to Brown University
• Previous CSREA Practitioner Fellows are not eligible

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit all requested supplementary documents to be fully considered. Submissions via email will not be accepted. Applicants must submit the following: 

• A cover letter discussing what the applicant hopes to achieve during the fellowship period and why being affiliated with CSREA and Brown would be especially helpful in accomplishing the goal
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé
• A sample of scholarly or creative work (maximum 25 pages)
• Submission guide for non-written works:
  • Image files: embed or hyperlink to examples of your work in addition to a written component explaining the nature of the work(s) submitted, not to exceed 25 pages total
  • Audio or video files: hyperlink to or upload files using the “additional file” option, that are 8-10 minutes in duration cumulatively (either a single link/file can be up to 10 minutes long or multiple submitted links/files can be submitted, but should not exceed 10 minutes total), in addition to a written component explaining the nature of the works submitted, not to exceed 25 pages total
• A detailed project proposal (500-1,500 words):
  • The proposal should outline the project that the applicant will pursue during the term of the fellowship
• One confidential letter of recommendation endorsing the applicant and the proposed project

Applications will be reviewed by the CSREA Faculty Advisory Board (FAB). Other relevant faculty within or external to Brown may be consulted at the discretion of the FAB.

Deadline

Applications for the Fall 2024 term are due on Thursday, April 17, 2025. 

The first convening of the selected cohort of fellows will be in Spring 2026.

Questions? Please contact csrea@brown.edu.

Apply Here