The Eisner Prize Fellowship is a new program designed to support leaders pioneering innovations in intergenerational connection.
Since 2011, the Eisner Foundation has awarded the Eisner Prize to honor people and organizations doing exceptional intergenerational work across the country. In this next phase in the evolution of the Eisner Prize, The Eisner Foundation is providing financial resources, networking opportunities, and the prestige of the Eisner Prize to leaders with new ideas and perspectives that will propel the field forward. Meet the 2023 Fellows here and the 2024 Fellows here.
The Eisner Prize Fellows application is open to anyone working to innovate in the area of intergenerational connection – whether that be through research, programs, technology, or other efforts advancing the field. Young people, people of color, and those working with historically marginalized communities are particularly encouraged to apply. The application for the 2024-25 cycle is now closed.
An Eisner Prize Fellows Showcase and Info Session was held on April 29, 2024. A recording is available here.
For the 2024-25 cycle, Eisner Prize Fellowships will be awarded to 3-5 leaders in the intergenerational space, and each Fellow will receive a total of $50,000: a $10,000 stipend, and $40,000 to be used toward their particular intergenerational initiative.
Who can apply?
Individuals can apply regardless of affiliation. Students, people working in nonprofits, government, or for-profits, or people unaffiliated with any of these are welcome to apply. Please note that the fellowship is for individuals and not intended to serve as a grantmaking program for nonprofits, so while nonprofit staff may apply and execute their project under the umbrella of their organization, the project proposed should be something new, envisioned and executed by the Fellow. Co-leadership teams can apply, but please note that the application is set up for individuals, so applicant teams will have to select one person as the main contact. The award funds would remain the same for each Fellowship, even if it’s awarded to a team.
What kinds of project proposals might be successful?
Proposals for new innovations in intergenerational connection will be the most successful. We are open to new programs, research, technology, or any other innovation that intentionally connects different generations in new ways. This is not intended to support existing programs, unless the proposal involves new aspects of those programs. Projects should have goals achievable within a year and with a $40,000 budget. An itemized budget is not necessary at the time of application, but the applicant should present a project scope that can be accomplished within a year and with this level of funding. The project should also be executable by the Fellow themselves – The Eisner Foundation can support the Fellows as thought partners and connectors, but the foundation’s ability to act as research partners or as external capacity for a project will be very limited.
What does the funding cover?
The fellowship includes $50,000: $10,000 to the Fellow, and $40,000 to use to execute their project. The $10,000 is a stipend and can be used by the Fellow in any way they wish. For those working with an organization, this stipend should be disbursed in addition to the Fellow’s salary, not in partial replacement of it. The $40,000 should be used for project execution of new, defined intergenerational projects, and should not include overhead costs.
What will the Fellows experience throughout the year?
Fellows will convene in late July as they begin their Fellowship. Dates and location will be announced before the application opens. In the months following, the cohort will regularly meet over Zoom to share their progress, learn from experts, and learn from each other. Fellows will also occasionally check in individually with The Eisner Foundation. Each Fellow will also be asked to contribute a short blog post for The Eisner Foundation’s blog at some point during the Fellowship. Meeting content and frequency will be tailored to and co-created with the cohort.
What is the Fellowship timeline?
The application will be open April 24 through May 22, 2024, and Fellows will be notified mid-June. The Fellowship will begin in July and run for a full year.
What kinds of supplementary materials can be submitted?
There will be an option to include supplementary materials in two places. First, there will be a text box in the application where the applicant can include anything that didn’t fit earlier in the application, including links to previous work or other relevant experience. Second, there will be an opportunity to upload relevant materials. Here, applicants can share relevant work, letters of support, or recommendation letters. Supplementary materials should demonstrate that the applicant can accomplish the proposed project and that they have the support of the people around them. Due to the volume of applications, curation is highly recommended. Supplementary materials are completely optional.