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Announcement! 2025 CIWO Fellowship Applications are now OPEN!

We are excited to announce that applications for 2025 CIWO Fellowship are OPEN for movement leaders and scholars working to further racial, worker, and gender justice! Additional information about each fellowship category is listed below with details about eligibility requirements, time commitment, links to the application, and much more. 

Learn more about the CIWO Fellowships at a virtual FAQ session

For questions regarding this fellowship opportunity register to join upcoming FAQ sessions or contact MaryGrace DiMaria at marygrace@smlr.rutgers.edu

Commitment to Equity in Selection Process

In an ongoing effort to ensure equity throughout programs and processes, CIWO is taking the following measures to ensure a fair selection process: 

  • Promote the application broadly across the worker, racial, and gender justice movement - with a specific focus on sharing this opportunity with BIPOC leaders at all levels (shop stewards, worker leaders, community leaders, organizational staff)

  • Offer an application and a nomination option as access points to the fellowship

  • Offer text and voice options for completing the application to ensure greater accessibility

  • Offer individual support, when necessary, to complete the application

  • Offer at least 2 virtual FAQ sessions during the open application period

  • All members of the decision-making committee will have anti-bias training prior to reviewing applications

This application and decision making process has been adapted from the Re-Tool Racial Equity in Panel Process toolkit, the Washington State Labor Council AFL-CIO’s Labor of Love: Art & Healing Grant process, WSLC’s Racial Equity & Policy Toolkit, & the WILL Empower Gender & Belonging Program.

Fellowship Categories:

Build the Bench (BTB) Program Fellowship 

Innovation Project Fellowship

Build the Bench Program Fellowships (2 available)

Image of Build the Bench Fellowships flyer
Click to download the Build the Bench Fellowship Flyer

Build the Bench (BTB) at the Center for Innovation in Worker Organization (CIWO) convenes leaders – sometimes called Managing Directors, Chiefs of Staff or Deputy Directors – with a focus on implementing the vision of their organizations through effective strategies and healthy structures. BTB Fellowship includes an annual stipend ($5,000), peer mentorship, and additional opportunities to connect with the full BTB network and CIWO Innovation Fellows!

We are currently recruiting 2 fellows with experience working in the leadership roles named/described above. Successful applicants must demonstrate the following: 

  1. Previous experience with Build the Bench programming, and/or 

  2. Work for a union in the CIWO network and demonstrate interest in shaping the Unions Build the Bench pilot 

Frequently Asked Questions

We are offering virtual FAQ sessions for interested applicants! Please use this link to join the next one.

How Do I Apply?

Use this link to apply! You can fill out the application via text or by using your voice. If you would like assistance with any part of the application, please contact us and we can fill it out together. 

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility:

  • Have prior/current experience in Build the Bench* programming (retreats, webinars or other events) *Unions Pilot must have previous experience with CIWO programming

  • Currently work or serve as Managing Director, Chief of Staff, Associate Director or equivalent role as we strive to have programming be informed by people doing the work in their respective organizations

  • Have the support of Executive Director and/or Principal Officer at their respective organization in fellowship, with the understanding that BTB program benefits individual leadership development and organizational health and sustainability (include a copy of an email to confirm ED consent and a few words on how they as EDs plan on supporting applicant’s participation in fellowship)

  • Share the belief that those most impacted by systems of oppression have the strongest insights on strategic approaches and the pathways forward for the racial, gender, economic, climate and immigration justice movements

What Support is Offered?
  • $5,000 stipend 

  • Support from BTB senior fellow and CIWO Director

  • Opportunity to connect with fellows from across CIWO programming and offer peer support to one another

  • Skill development in organizing and supporting a community of practice of leaders across national and regional social justice organizations

What is the Time Commitment?

Below are mandatory commitments for Build the Bench fellows. There will be additional optional opportunities for Build the Bench fellows to connect with CIWO fellows across programming. 

Retreat:
BTB Participant Engagement:

  • Work with CIWO staff, fellows, and interns to build a BTB community of shared learning and support for senior managers of activist organizations

  • Help plan and co-facilitate 2-4 virtual events a year for Build the Bench participants on topics responsive to the community of practice

  • Participate on the BTB Advisory Council Meetings (virtually, 2x/year)

  • 1:1’s with participants in between virtual gatherings

Check-Ins:

  • Monthly check ins with Build the Bench fellows & BTB Director (generally scheduled on Fridays)

What is the Application Process/Timeline?

  • September 16th - November 15th: Build the Bench (BTB) Fellowship Applications Open. Nominated Applicants are called to complete their application & support is offered to all applicants who request it to complete their application

  • November 15th- January 13th: Applications Packets are reviewed by the decision-making committee

  • No later than January 17th: Final fellows are chosen & all are informed

  • Week of Jan 27th: 1-day virtual orientation is scheduled to onboard new BTB fellows (includes a CIWO overview, BTB overview, and more)

  • Feb/March: BTB Retreat!!

CIWO Innovation Fellowships (Up to 5 available)

Fellowship Overview: 

CIWO is currently recruiting fellows who are focused on implementing an innovative project in the racial, gender, & worker justice movements. The fellowship will run from March 2025 - February 2026 and will include a $5,000 stipend & curated support to help your innovative project move from idea to action.

We define an innovative project broadly as any action that helps us move closer as a movement to worker, gender, and racial justice. This could be a writing/reflection project, launching a campaign, mapping out a base building strategy, bringing together a peer cohort, building out a popular education curriculum or something else! (Examples of past innovative projects supported by CIWO are linked here).

This fellowship is an opportunity to lift up the leadership of those who are mobilizing at the margins and to offer them consistent support with the development of ideas that lead to actionable movement victories.

All fellows will receive curated support for their projects over the 12-month fellowship and will be able to connect with other CIWO fellows through virtual and in person retreats. Mentors/peer-coaches from the CIWO network will also be available for CIWO fellows. In the final season of the fellowship, fellows will have the opportunity to share out learnings from their project with funders and CIWO partner organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We are offering virtual FAQ sessions for interested applicants! Please use this link to join our next one.

How Do I Apply?

Use this link to apply! You can fill out the application via text or by recording a video. If you would like assistance with any part of the application, please contact us and we can fill it out together. 

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility:

  • Must be a movement leader (shop stewards, worker leaders, union/community org staff, community leaders) working to further racial, gender, & worker justice

  • Have an idea for an innovative solution to a complex problem that is affecting workers & communities 

  • Share the belief that those most impacted by systems of oppression have the strongest insights on strategic approaches and the pathway forward for the worker, racial, & gender justice movement

  • If you are not sure if you are eligible but you are interested in this fellowship, please reach out to us and let’s have a conversation! Contact MaryGrace by email here: marygrace@smlr.rutgers.edu 

What Support is Offered?

  • Curated support for your innovative project (connection to mentors, program management/coordination, budgeting, grant writing, connection to relevant partners/organizations who could provide guidance, research scholars if needed, etc)

  • $5,000 towards your project

  • Opportunity to connect with fellows from across CIWO programming and offer peer support to one another

  • A platform to share the learnings of your innovative project

  • Certificate from CIWO/Rutgers upon completion of the fellowship program 

What is the Time Commitment?

An ongoing commitment to take your innovative solution from idea to action with curated support from the end of March 2025 - February 2026. Much of this will be independent work, but there will be bench marks throughout the year for opportunities to get feedback, connect, and share out your work. Additional commitments include:

Retreats:
  • Week of March 24th, 2025: Virtual 1.5 day kick off retreat
  • Early/mid July 2025: In person 2 day retreat (likely on the East Coast)
  • February 2026: Virtual 1.5 day closing retreat
Check Ins:
  • Monthly 1 hour check ins with CIWO Innovation Director
  • Additional check ins if you choose to be paired with a mentor for your project
Opportunities to share project learnings:
  • Share learnings from your innovative solution to the CIWO network in January 2026 through a 2 hour webinar or training
  • Share learnings from your innovative solution at the funder/partner showcase that concludes the fellowship in February 2026
What is the Application Process/Timeline?
  • September 16th - January 12th: Application & Nomination Period. Nominees are called to complete their application and support is giving to all applicants who need it.
  • December 9th - January 27th: Eligible applicants are contacted & asked to schedule a 30 minute interview with a CIWO staff member
  • February 17th - 28th: Applications Packets are reviewed by a decision making committee of movement leaders and scholars in the field
  • March 3rd: Fellows are chosen and all are notified
  • Week of March 24th: Fellow onboarding 1.5 Virtual Retreat

Who do I contact if I have questions about CIWO Fellowships?

Reach out to MaryGrace DiMaria at marygrace@smlr.rutgers.edu for assistance.