Shuttleworth Foundation, Fellowship Program for Social Change through Innovation in Education & Technology

Who can apply

• Anyone who has a plan for social change through innovation (fresh thinking that adds value) in the areas of education and technology.
• Anyone who has a clear vision of a changed (improved) world and their contribution to bringing about this change.
• The fellowship is not limited to any specific geographic location. However, applicants must be fluent in English.
• Fellowship applicants must have attained the age of majority by the date of application.

Topics/disciplines

The Foundation does not have strictly defined areas of funding. Previous successful application have come from individuals working in the following areas:

• Communication and Analytical Skills in Education
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Open and Collaborative Educational Resources
• Telecommunications
• Open Philanthropy
• Open Science

The fellowship is not an academic fellowship aimed at research, although research is not excluded. Preference will be given to action based research or practical implementations of innovative ideas.

Why apply

This fellowship offers you the freedom and financial ability to bring about the change you envisage for the world as well as an enabling support structure and an existing network of social change agents.

You will be provided with technological, financial, and legal support, enabling all administrative processes such as contracting with 3rd parties, done in an efficient and risk free manner. You will also be connected with a network of projects, funders and institutions where we you can offer value.

The Foundation will support the Fellow to take their good ideas and turn them into successful initiatives. You will also be part of a continually growing pool of established alumni network to share learnings and experiences.

What is the value of the grant

The equivalent of a year’s salary, a contribution towards expenses plus access to a travel allowance.

In addition, the fellow will have access to potential project funding from the Foundation, who will match the Fellow’s personal investment in projects by at least ten fold. The total grant amount will be based on the Fellow’s qualifications, experience and comparable cost of time for their skill level.

What is the duration

1 year, with the possibility of renewal, based on review.

How to apply

• Send your CV (no more than 3 pages)
• Send a 5 minute video on your ideas
• Answer the 4 questions below (no more than 2 pages)
 Describe the world as it is.
 What change do you want to make?
 What do you want to explore?
 What are you going to do to get there?

Where is the fellowship based

Fellows work from where they are, with an open door to visit the Foundation’s head office in Cape Town, South Africa.

Fellowship conditions

Fellows are expected to commit 100% of their time and attention to the focus area selected for their fellowship. The Fellow must submit any outside work, volunteer or otherwise, that they may want to conduct whilst on a Foundation Fellowship, to the Foundation for approval.

The Foundation requires attendance at the bi-annual Fellow gatherings and open accurate communication on all projects, movements and decisions.

The fellowship must be taken up between 2 and 4 months after awarded.

How are the Fellows selected

Fellowship applications are reviewed by the Shuttleworth Foundation management team and advisors. Shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews. The Foundation reserves the right not to award a fellowship if the submission does not meet the requirements.
Application timing

Applications are accepted throughout the year, there are formal review sessions of applications in May for a September intake and November for a March intake.

For more information visit http://www.shuttleworthfoundation.org/funding/fellowship-programme/