Apply
**UPDATE: APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JAN. 15, 2022!
Nomination Criteria
- Identify as Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC)
- 20-28 years old
- Low-income (based on the average median income of their geographic location)
- Come from historically marginalized groups and may hold other intersectional identities like immigrant, LGBTQIA, gender fluid, or disability (these intersectional identities are deeply welcome in nominees, though not required)
- Working in community organizing/social justice movements
- Ready to commit to a healing journey in their personal and social justice communities through understanding themselves and practicing wisdom and compassion
- Residents of the North-eastern region of the US: Half of the fellows selected will be from the Baltimore area to strengthen the local, community-based work of VOLAR and similar organizations. The other half will be from the Northeast (including DC and Virginia).
Fellows will be selected from a pool of young people nominated by BIPOC community leaders, spiritual teachers, and colleagues.
Time Committment
- An average of 4 hrs/week (for monthly mentoring and monthly coaching calls, monthly peer-led calls, reading assignments, webinars, individualized training and local practice group)
- 9 residential mindfulness retreats (6 retreats in first year and 3 retreats in second year)
- 3 multi-day mindfulness in-person retreats in the Baltimore area
- 6 weekend mindfulness in-person retreats in the Baltimore area (bi-monthly in the first year)
- Bi-monthly half day retreats online: 3rd Saturday of every other month from 10am – 1pm ET
- Outside training: Teachers will discern with each fellow what training will be of most benefit for their unique project
The quality of the fellowship relies on the full participation of all fellows at all events. Applicants will be asked to confirm that they can attend and be fully present at all events and retreats, not arriving late or leaving early.
Financial Support
During the first year of the fellowship, each fellow will receive a $1000 grant to participate in the activities of the fellowship plus a $500 grant for individualized outside training.
During the second year of the fellowship, each fellow will receive a $1000 grant to participate in the activities of the fellowship plus a $2500 grant to run their project.
The cost of all retreats (including travel), mentoring, and training is covered by the fellowship.
Application Timeline
| Date | Materials Due |
| Jan. 15, 2022 | Applications due. All applications received after this date will be waitlisted to be reviewed if space opens up. |
| Late-Jan., 2022 | Video interviews for those selected to continue in the application process. |
| Feb. 7, 2022 | Acceptances sent out. Notification of your status will be sent no later than this date via email. |
| Feb. 15, 2022 | Letters of commitment from invited fellows are due by this date. |
| March 15, 2022 | Program starts. First in-person retreat. |