United WE Rural Research Fellowship

fellows@united-we.org

United WE is offering a 12-month interdisciplinary fellowship designed to generate original research that may lead to improved economic opportunity and quality of life in rural America.

Priority research topics:

• Economic development and entrepreneurship
• Healthcare access
• Workforce participation
• Physical infrastructure
• Caregiving and family support
• Education
• Civic participation
• Community cohesion and belonging

Additional details for each priority are listed on the program website. There is no requirement for research to focus exclusively on women; however, United WE encourages projects that explore how policies and systems uniquely affect women in rural communities.

Fellows will participate in one or more virtual convenings and present research findings at an in-person symposium at the conclusion of the Fellowship.

Other components include:

• An original white paper published by United WE
• Two short-form written pieces that communicate key insights to policymakers and community leaders

Applications are welcome from:

• Individuals from academic, nonprofit, or practitioner backgrounds whose work connects scholarship to real-world systems or policy change
• Early-career and emerging scholars, as well as mid-career and seasoned researchers from any discipline
• Applicants that demonstrate a commitment to rigorous inquiry, public engagement, and advancing understanding of rural communities within the United States

Participants will receive:

• A $20,000 award to support the development and completion of a research project
• Membership in a cohort of fellows who will engage in shared professional development, learning, and collaboration throughout the fellowship year
• Opportunities to translate research into action by sharing findings through United WE's platforms and events
• Travel and accommodations to the Fellowship Symposium

A link to the online application is available on the program website.

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