The application period is now closed. Finalists will be contacted in June.

The Rooted in Writing Fellowship will provide two disabled writers the opportunity to further develop their professional writing skills while strengthening their voices as disability rights advocates. Leading the program is Emily Ladau, Editor in Chief of the Rooted in Rights Blog, who has been published in outlets including The New York Times, SELF, Salon, Vice, and Huffington Post. Over the course of six months, Fellows will work closely with Emily to write two posts per month for publication on the Rooted in Rights Blog. Post topics may be pitched or assigned, and will consist of a mix of narrative and reported pieces. Additionally, Fellows will work on one long-form piece to pitch to mainstream media outlets, and will receive guidance throughout the writing and pitching process. For the duration of the fellowship, Fellows will have access to a wealth of mentorship and networking opportunities with members of the Rooted in Rights team and experts in mainstream journalism and disability-related fields.

Fellows will receive a stipend of $1,800. Upon completion of the Rooted in Writing Fellowship, Fellows will have a strong foundation in disability-focused media and broader journalistic writing, connections with industry leaders, a solid portfolio of published blog posts, and a polished piece ready to pitch to mainstream publications.

Eligibility Requirements

Must identify as disabled. You will not be required to disclose your specific disability; however, your application for this program will signify that you consider yourself a person with a disability. Rooted in Rights is committed to amplifying the voices of diverse communities and advancing equity and inclusion, so please note that disabled people who also identify as part of other marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Must demonstrate strong writing skills (proper grammar and ability to maintain structure, focus, and clarity).
Must be passionate about disability rights advocacy and dedicated to pursuing that work through writing and storytelling.
Must be able to commit to fully participate in the Fellowship and meet all deadlines for a period of six months (July 2018-December 2018).
Must reside in the United States. You are not required to be a U.S. citizen in order to participate.

Fellowship Work Requirements

Write 2 blog posts per month (750-1000 words), total of 12 blog posts.
Write at least one longer form (3,000-5,000 words), deeply reported piece to be pitched to mainstream outlets by the end of the fellowship.
Attend 4-6 mentorship chats.
Weekly communication on current and upcoming writing work via email, with occasional brief phone calls, Google Hangouts, or other accessible mode of communication.
Feedback check-ins at 3 months (midway) and 6 months (end).

Application Guidelines and Procedures

Candidates for the Rooted in Writing Fellowship must submit the following materials:

Applicant Information
Resume
Responses to the three (3) short essay questions
Letter of reference

Applications for the Rooted in Writing Fellowship were due on May 21st. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. We will not consider any materials in excess of the stated requirements. Applicants chosen for the Rooted in Writing Fellowship release all information contained in their application for use on the Rooted in Rights website and in public press releases, including releases to the program funders and potential funders.

Selection Process

Applications will be collected and reviewed by a team of reviewers from Rooted in Rights and the American Association of People with Disabilities. Finalists will be contacted for formal conference call or video call interviews. Selected fellows will be notified in June 2018.

Program Requirements and Policies

This Fellowship will be conducted remotely using video conferencing and other means of communication. As such, Fellows can be located anywhere within the United States, but must have access to a reliable internet connection.
The stipend of $1,800 will be disbursed in three (3) installments throughout the fellowship, $600 every two months.

How to Apply

Applications are no longer being accepted.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or would like to request reasonable accommodations, please contact Rooted in Rights Editor in Chief Emily Ladau at [email protected]

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2018 Rooted in Writing Fellowship Program