Study in USA | Just Tech Fellowship 2027

Posted 2026-05-04 10:00:07

Study in USA | Just Tech Fellowship 2027

The Social Science Research Council has opened applications for the Just Tech Fellowship 2027. This high value program targets researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of technology and society. With up to It welcomes global applicants who are not students and can reside in the United States during the fellowship year. The funding supports independent research, creative work, and community driven projects with mentorship and collaboration opportunities included.

What This Fellowship Actually Offers

Unlike traditional academic fellowships tied to institutions or degrees, the Just Tech Fellowship provides fully flexible funding. Here is what makes this program different:

$60,000 Unrestricted Award: You can use the funding to support research, creative production, or public engagement. No strict spending categories limit your choices.
Monthly Virtual Cohort Sessions: You connect with other fellows regularly to share progress and challenges.
Fully Funded In Person Workshop: The program brings all fellows together for intensive collaboration.
Individualized Mentoring: You receive guidance from experienced professionals in your field.
Cross Disciplinary Network: You gain access to researchers, technologists, and public interest practitioners from diverse backgrounds.

This structure proves particularly valuable for applicants working outside conventional academic pathways. Journalists, technologists, and community based researchers will find this model especially supportive.

Who Should Seriously Consider Applying

This fellowship explicitly excludes degree seeking students. Currently enrolled full time students are not eligible. Instead, the program targets specific professional profiles:

Early to Mid Career Professionals: You have a clear track record of impactful work in your field.
Technology and Society Researchers: You explore critical questions around technology’s role in public life.
Public Facing Practitioners: You can produce outputs like reports, articles, artworks, or policy briefs.

The program imposes no formal degree requirements. This lowers entry barriers for non traditional candidates. However, it significantly raises expectations around demonstrated impact, originality, and execution capability.

Competitiveness and Selection Reality

The Just Tech Fellowship runs highly selective. The assessment committee evaluates applications on three main criteria:

Project Strength: Your proposal must demonstrate clarity, originality, and feasibility.
Prior Work Evidence: Your portfolio must show credible delivery of past projects.
Public Engagement Potential: Your work should connect with real world problems and contribute to broader societal debates.

This is not a volume based intake. Candidates without a well defined project and credible portfolio are unlikely to compete successfully. The fellowship prioritizes work that engages urgent issues and produces tangible outcomes.

Why This Fellowship Matters Now

Global concerns around artificial intelligence, data governance, and digital inequality are growing rapidly. Funding programs are increasingly shifting toward independent, impact driven research. The Just Tech Fellowship reflects this trend by supporting projects that critically examine how technology designs itself, governs itself, and experiences itself in public life.

For applicants working on issues like AI ethics, platform accountability, or digital rights, this fellowship aligns closely with emerging global research priorities.

Key Limitation Applicants Must Consider

While applicants from any country can apply, selected fellows must reside in the United States for the full fellowship period. Visa sponsorship is not provided. International applicants must have an independent pathway to legally stay in the country. Plan accordingly before investing time in your application.

How to Apply

Click Here to Apply

Application Timeline

The last date to apply for the Just Tech Fellowship 2027 is 28 June 2026. For professionals working at the intersection of technology and society, this fellowship offers rare flexibility, strong funding, and meaningful collaboration. However, due to its selectivity and residency requirement, it best suits experienced applicants with a clearly defined, high impact project and the ability to execute it independently. Visit the Social Science Research Council website today, review the full program details, and prepare your application before the June deadline. Your $60,000 year of independent research awaits.