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The JADE (Justice Alliance in Design Education) Fellowship is a program organized by DesignPhiladelphia in partnership with our local colleges and universities that 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” (Posse Foundation,NYC). This program launched summer of 2024 and focused 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. This year in 2026 the fellowship is open to design undergraduate students of all design disciplines at participating schools (see eligibility below).
This program has 3 main goals:
The JADE Fellowship is awarded to assist undergraduate Black/African American, Latine /Hispanic, and/or Native American/Indigenous Hawaiian/Native Alaskan students enrolled in a design program at the following schools: Community College of Philadelphia, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, Drexel University, Penn State University, and University of Pennsylvania; 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. In person participation is required.
Dates/Timeline:
2026-27 Academic year JADE Fellow activities.
There will be programs and activities during the academic year that will be part of your capstone project.
Students will be required to complete a Capstone project based on their interest and goals applying the knowledge skills and insights that have gained during the summer fellowship. With the assistance of DesignPhiladelphia and your college’s faculty liaison you will plan and execute the project during the academic year.
With the consultation of the JADE Fellowship Coordinators and your colleges faculty liaison your Capstone project will be brainstormed, defined, and evaluated to consider the resources needed to complete your project successfully. Initial concepts should be completed and agreed upon during the summer of 2026.
Eligible Students
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):
Personal Narrative that addresses the following:
Please outline your personal career goals, what you hope to learn and experience, and who you would like to meet 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 2025 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.
