2024 JADE Fellowship

The JADE (Justice Alliance in Design Education) Fellowship is a program organized by DesignPhiladelphia in partnership with our local colleges and universities that is modeled after similar programs, like the Posse Foundation’s program, and is “rooted in the belief that a small, diverse group of talented students, carefully selected and trained, can serve as a catalyst for individual and community development.” This program will launch in summer of 2024 focusing on supporting a diverse cohort of students in local architecture undergraduate programs – demonstrating that Philadelphia design students can create a community and a culture that foster their personal career growth, as well as a more inclusive and just culture for all design students and emerging professionals. i

This program has 3 main goals:

·      Support Career and Leadership Development for JADE Fellows

·      Create More Inclusive & Connected Design Community for Everyone

·      JADE Fellows and Alumni Continue Design Education & Pursue Careers in Design and Stay in Philadelphia

The JADE Fellowship is awarded to assist undergraduate Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic, and/or Native American/Indigenous Hawaiian/Native Alaskan students enrolled in Philadelphia’s colleges and universities in the architecture program, by creating opportunities to participate in leadership and professional-development training, career exposure, community and civic engagement, immersive program development and delivery, and mentorship opportunities.

Dates/Timeline:

March 15, 2024 – Application Launches

April 19, 2024 – Deadline to Apply

May 1, 2024 – Selected Students Awarded Fellowship

June 13, 2024 – August 7, 2024 – 10-12 hour/week JADE Fellows Activities (break week of July 1-5, 2024)

2024-25 Academic year JADE Fellow activities - There will be programs and activities during the academic year that will be part of your capstone project.  All dates will be set and agreed upon during the summer of 2024. 

Eligible Students

·      Who are in their second or later year of an undergraduate/associates architecture program when application launches;

·      Identify as Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic, and/or Native American/Indigenous Hawaiian/Native Alaskan; and

·      Attend Community College of Philadelphia, Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, or Jefferson University

Ideally, there will be one (1) JADE Fellow every year from each school. 

As a JADE Fellow you will work with your cohort and your primary objective will be to design experiences for other design students that fosters a thriving, joyful, and inclusive culture.

With a stipend award of $10,000 for each Fellow, a JADE Fellow will have the opportunity for leadership development, career advancement, student organizing, and community outreach and service. 

Application Package Must Include the following information (Please combine the following information into a PDF file that is not larger than 5 MB):

• Resume/CV
• Letter of Support from a Faculty/Administrativor from your educational institution agreeing to serve as liaison for JADE Fellow
• Personal Narrative that addresses the following:
  • Please outline your personal career goals and what you hope to learn and experience during your fellowship. This information is very helpful to us in helping to customize a personal leadership and career development program for you over the summer of 2024 if you are selected as a JADE Fellow.  Feel free to list individuals or companies you would like to meet this summer and we will do our best to incorporate them into your personal plan.
  • Why are you interested in helping to cultivate a more inclusive community at your own educational institution and with students from other local colleges and universities?
  • What do you see as the biggest barrier or issue in terms of culture at your school?
  • What do you see as the biggest asset in terms of culture at your school?