Programmatic Questions
When does the fellowship program start and end?
There will be 2 cohorts to accommodate people in school who are on the semester or quarter system. Start dates can also be mutually agreed upon by the fellow and their host site. The fellowship concludes for all participants at the close of August 20th.
Cohort 1 starts on May 19 with host site.
Cohort 2 starts on June 23 with host site (fellows will start at the host site after the orientation).
All fellows are required to participate fully in the orientation and closing retreats. The orientation will take place June 16-June 21. The closing retreat will be August 17-August 20.
Is the program in person, hybrid, or remote?
In 2020 and 2021 we held our program online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2022 – 2024 we held our programming back in person. We are planning for the 2025 summer fellowship orientation and closing to be in person. Most host organizations will ask you to participate in person, with some having a hybrid option. Dates and programming are subject to change as we continue to assess the pandemic. As we get closer to in-person programming, we will also assess our in-person COVID-19 protocols to keep everyone safe.
What is the time commitment for each fellow?
For the overwhelming majority of fellows, this will be a full-time volunteer, 40-hours per week, intensive experience. The fellowship is meant to be an immersive experience of developing Asian American leaders grounded in social justice values. There may be fellows who participate for 25 hours per week, but this is dependent on the needs of the host site organizations.
What type of work will I be doing with the organizations?
Over the course of the fellowship, fellows will work on a range of projects with their host organizations. Projects have ranged from doing outreach, facilitating workshops, organizing events and community rallies, developing curriculum, conducting surveys, and providing direct services. Fellows will have the opportunity to experience on the ground organizing, deepen their understanding of local community issues and get to build with grassroots community members.
Will you help me find housing?
We will do our best to help you locate housing by providing resources and referrals, as well as working with your host site to identify potential housing leads, BUT the ultimate responsibility lies with each fellow. We expect you to communicate and ask us if you need support with finding housing.
Are the fellows compensated? How so?
This is a volunteer summer opportunity. However, we understand that not everyone has personal resources to be able to participate in an opportunity like this.
We ask that students enrolled in an academic institution look to their school for resources for summer fellowships, or work-study opportunities to participate in this fellowship. We can provide information that your school may ask of you to pursue these options. If you do not have funding secured yet from your school, please fill out this application anyway.
For applicants who are not enrolled in school and do not have the resources, we will do our best to provide a stipend for you to participate in the program if you are accepted. Part-time fellows will not be eligible for stipends. We encourage you to apply for the fellowship, regardless of your access to financial resources at this point.
(Note: Seeding Change will cover travel costs to/from the Bay Area for the orientation and closing retreats, as well as travel for regional exposure trips during the fellowship.)
What is an anticipated budget for the fellowship?
Please refer to this document: SCF25 Anticipated Budget
Eligibility Questions
What age do you have to be to apply for the fellowship?
Fellows must be at least 18 years of age. Applicants who are not 18 by the start of the fellowship will not be accepted. Fellows have generally ranged from 18-30.
Is the fellowship only for current college students or recent graduates?
There is no requirement for fellows to be students or to hold a college degree. We warmly invite people of all educational experiences to apply.
Application Questions
Please note that dates are re-confirmed every summer by the start of the new year for that summer.
What is the application process like?
Applications are due on January 19, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT. First round interviews will be conducted in the second week of February by phone or video. Applicants will then interview with potential host sites in the second half of February. Fellowship announcements will be made by the end of March. If you need an early decision, see below.
How do I rank the host sites?
Applicants should review the potential host site page, as well as the websites and social media platforms of the organizations. You will be asked to rank up to 3 organizations that you are interested in working with. We work with applicants and host organizations to make the best match based on both interest and skills needed.
I have a scholarship or work-study deadline before you announce the selection of fellows. What can I do?
If funding for your volunteer position is CONTINGENT on being accepted to a program AND the deadline is before our posted announcement date, you can apply for EARLY ACTION. Please contact us at apply@seeding-change.org for more details.
Still have questions? Contact us at apply@seeding-change.org. There will also be virtual info sessions to learn more and ask questions.
Info Sessions:
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from 2-3PT/5-6ET
Monday, January 6, 2025 from 5:30-6:30pm PT, 8:30-9:30 ET