Submissions open for the Voqal Partners Fellowship Program (US)

Deadline: 31-Oct-2026

The Voqal Partners Fellowship Program is inviting applications from early-stage social justice changemakers in the United States who are developing bold new ideas to create systemic change. The fellowship provides funding, coaching, mentorship, and a supportive community to help participants build and test new approaches to social justice. The program places strong value on lived experience and prioritizes applicants who are part of the communities they seek to impact. Fellows receive a $30,000 award, a $1,000 healthcare stipend, covered travel costs for three in-person convenings, and additional support during the six-month fellowship.

About the Voqal Partners Fellowship Program

The Voqal Partners Fellowship is designed for individuals at the early stages of developing ideas for social justice change. The program supports changemakers who want to explore bold approaches to disrupting systems and addressing social challenges through radical solutions rather than incremental interventions. Projects can be hyperlocal or national in scope, but they must focus on communities in the United States. Focus on Lived Experience The fellowship recognises the importance of lived experience in developing effective social justice solutions. Priority is given to applicants who are members of the communities they seek to impact, particularly people from groups that have historically been excluded from philanthropy.

These groups include:

- LGBTQIA+ individuals. - Women. - Indigenous peoples. - People of color. - People with disabilities. The program seeks to support changemakers whose experiences and perspectives are closely connected to the issues they are working to address. What Projects Does the Fellowship Support? The fellowship is intended for projects that are at the dream or idea stage.

Applicants should have:

- A compelling vision for the change they want to create. - A bold idea for disrupting existing systems. - A focus on radical solutions rather than incremental interventions. - A clear understanding of the change they are working toward. - A willingness to take the first steps toward developing and testing their idea. Applicants do not need to have a fully developed project. The fellowship is designed to support ideas during their early stages. How Much Funding Is Available? Each fellow receives a $30,000 award.

The award is:

- Paid as a lump sum. - Provided at the beginning of the six-month fellowship. - Intended to support the fellow’s project. Applicants are required to submit a budget showing how they plan to use the $30,000 award. However, the budget is not used as part of the evaluation process. Additional Financial Support In addition to the $30,000 award, fellows receive other forms of financial support.

The fellowship provides:

- $1,000 healthcare stipend. - Coverage of all travel costs for three in-person convenings. - Childcare stipend for fellows with dependents under 18. These forms of support are intended to help fellows participate fully in the fellowship while working on their projects. Coaching and Mentorship Fellows receive access to coaching and mentorship throughout the program. Coaches and advisors provide support as fellows develop, test, and explore their ideas. The fellowship therefore combines financial support with guidance designed to help participants take the first steps toward turning early-stage ideas into action. Fellowship Community and Alumni Engagement Selected fellows participate in a cohort of peers working on social justice ideas. The cohort provides an opportunity to connect with other changemakers and learn from their experiences.

Participants also remain connected through ongoing alumni engagement after the fellowship

Fellowship Duration and Activities The fellowship lasts for six months, with fellows expected to work on their projects from April through September. During the program, fellows are expected to: - Work on their proposed project. - Attend three in-person convenings. - Participate in monthly cohort calls. - Engage with coaches and advisors. - Share their learnings at the end of the program. These activities are an important part of the fellowship experience and community. Who Can Apply?

Eligibility is limited to individuals who meet the following requirements

- Applicants must be 18 years or older. - Applicants must be based in the United States. - Applicants must be able to receive funds in the United States. The fellowship does not offer visa sponsorship. Project Location and Scope Projects may be either hyperlocal or national in scope. However, the proposed work must focus on communities in the United States. The fellowship is therefore open to ideas addressing social justice issues at different geographic levels, provided the work is centred on U.S. communities. What Makes a Strong Fellowship Idea? The fellowship is particularly suited to applicants who are at the beginning of developing a bold social justice idea.

A strong application should demonstrate:

- A clear vision for the change the applicant wants to achieve. - A compelling understanding of the issue being addressed. - A willingness to challenge existing systems. - A radical or innovative approach rather than an incremental intervention. - A connection between the applicant’s lived experience and the community they seek to impact. - Readiness to take the first steps toward testing the idea. Budget Requirement Applicants must submit a budget for the $30,000 fellowship award as part of the application process. The budget is intended to show how the applicant plans to use the funding. However, the submitted budget is not used to evaluate applications. Key Facts About the Voqal Partners Fellowship Program

- Program: Voqal Partners Fellowship Program

- Target applicants: Early-stage social justice changemakers

- Location: United States

- Minimum age: 18 years

- Main award: $30,000

- Payment: Lump sum at the start of the six-month fellowship

- Healthcare sup