Community of Fellows Program
An invitation to advance the field
The IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is launching a Community of Fellows to help advance the field. We will welcome fellows to advance a suite of strategic initiatives that engage the cutting edge of philanthropic practice.
Policy and Philanthropy
The IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is pleased to invite applications for visiting and resident fellows. We are seeking up to two fellows to engage in research and program development in Policy and Philanthropy.
These fellows will work under the auspices of the recently launched Policy and Philanthropy Initiative—which has already hosted a fellow funded by the Murdock Trust and supported a faculty member as Stead Policy Fellow, Cindy Lott, who edited a special journal issue on this topic, and convened high-level forums in the field. Diane Kaplan has served as the Senior Fellow for the past three years and has led a webinar series on Public Policy and Philanthropy.
Given the changes in the relationship between governments and the independent sector globally, creative and practical formulations of the issues that need to be addressed by scholars and practitioners are urgently needed.
These fellows will craft and help execute research that will be disseminated through the school's recently piloted professional development offering. This research will advance the evidence-based and practical frameworks that connect capital markets with philanthropic mission. The school is particularly interested in standards, typologies, and thoughtful approaches to social impact that distinguish themselves from the well-established donor/investor focused financial idioms, while still appreciating their utility.
Fellows will collaborate with faculty and staff to engage in one or more of the following activities: design and execute research with an applied outcome, contribute to professional development offerings, engage with the school's networks of practitioners and donors, and craft or participate in public convenings related to their area of focus.
Who should apply: Applications are welcomed from both scholars and practitioners who are US citizens or permanent residents of the country. Ideal candidates will bring one or more of the following:
- Demonstrated expertise through scholarship, practice, or both
- A clear vision for research or program development with tangible, relevant outcomes
- A record of collaboration across sectors
- A demonstrated interest in tapping into the school’s unique resources to advance the field
Fellows will be able to draw on the following resources:
- Affiliation with and integration into the team working on policy at the school
- Travel to Indianapolis or other locations for agreed and approved purposes
- Research resources, including library access
- A budget of up to $50,000 for the entire project (can be larger for exceptional projects)
- Additional external funding obtained by fellow candidates
How to apply: Interested scholars and practitioners are invited to submit the following materials to the Community of Fellows Program Manager, Saima Hassan, lfsopcf@iu.edu with the fellowship name and final application in the subject line.
- A letter of interest (3 pages maximum) describing the fellowship area for which you are applying, your proposed project (including timeline and deliverables), and the nature of your approach to research or program development
- A current curriculum vitae or professional résumé
- Two writing samples or portfolio materials relevant to the proposed fellowship area
- Names and contact information for two professional references
Applications: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning June 1, 2026. Candidates can expect to hear back within a month of applying. Project may be scheduled to commence as soon as September 8, 2026. Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2026, and selected candidates will be announced by July 31.
Fellowship Terms: Fellows may serve as visiting fellows or in-residence fellows for terms ranging from one month to a full year, depending on the focus area and the nature of the proposed work. Fellows will be supported by school resources and/or external funding obtained by fellows.
About the school: The IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is the world's first school dedicated solely to philanthropic education, research, and leadership. Through its groundbreaking academic programs, applied research, and professional development offerings, the school equips individuals and organizations to strengthen and advance the common good. Building on decades of scholarship, the school has launched a suite of professional development programs and strategic initiatives that engage the cutting edge of philanthropic practice. It now invites creative scholars and practitioners to join its growing Community of Fellows to help advance the field.
Contact us: lfsopcf@iu.edu
