Application Information for Cohort 5 Scholars & Fellows (2025-2026)
Program Update
Applications for Cohort 5 (2025 - 2026) are closed. Applications for Cohort 6 will open September, 2025.
Program Description
The John Robert Lewis Scholars & Fellows Program is designed for undergraduate (Scholars) and graduate students (Fellows), to examine Lewis’s nonviolent philosophy from a historical perspective; define its principles and strategies; and identify their applicability to modern times and movements, current issues, and everyday life. The JRL Scholars & Fellows will become a nationwide network of emerging leaders who will be inspired to create positive societal change from the revolutionary nonviolent perspective that was employed with success in the Civil Rights Movement.
A competitive application process selects twenty students per year who are seeking to be effective changemakers in civic life through their engagement in an applied learning program of nonviolent social impact philosophy that grounded John Lewis.
Program Outline for 2025 - 2026
May 2025: Virtual orientation webinar via zoom
July 15 - 17, 2025: Opening Convocation in Washington DC
6 Virtual Conversations throughout the year
March 5 - 8, 2026: Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama
Mid-July, 2026 (TBD): Closing Convocation in Washington DC
Complete an Oral History Project
The trips to Washington DC and Alabama are all expenses paid. Each Scholar and Fellow will receive a $2,000 stipend for participating in the year long program.
Eligibility:
Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Must be 18 years old or older
Must be a current undergraduate or graduate student from an accredited college, university, or seminary, or beginning your vocation (less than 24 months out of school) in public service, nonprofits, law, heath, or education
Must exhibit exceptional leadership potential
Must demonstrate interest in and passion for the mission and goals of the program
Must be able to participate in all trips, fulfill all the educational requirements and complete the oral history project. The program will run July 2025 - July 2026.
Application Information:
Application Portal Opens: September 2, 2024 - For Cohort 5 running from July 2025 - July 2026
Application Portal Closes: November 1, 2024
Materials needed for application:
Unofficial university or college transcript
Resume
2 letters of Recommendation
Essay: Read the Six Principles of Nonviolence. In a short essay reflect on the principles inspired by the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Choose one principle that inspires you and discuss how this principle connects to your life and work. Your essay should be no longer than 500 words.
Personal Statement Video: In your video, please tell us about yourself, what draws you to this work, and what you would like us to know about you. Your video should be no longer than 2 minutes.
Contact Information: Send any questions to Marisa Pryor, Director of Educational Programs, FPI Education@faithandpolitics.org
