The Robert E. Bryan Social Innovation Fellowship is designed for aspiring social change-makers who are interested in providing a significant contribution locally, nationally or internationally through the creation of an entrepreneurial project that addresses a community issue or need.

Fellows receive enrollment in a Public Policy course, up to $1,500 to help launch their idea, support from APPLES students and staff and invaluable leadership training and personal development. Up to five team Fellowships are awarded each fall for the following calendar year (January-December).

Upon completion of the fellowship year, teams can reapply for a second year of funding of up to $1,000.

The fellowship is named in honor of alumnus Robert Emmet Bryan (1904-1975), a native of Newton Grove, N.C., who was a strong supporter of public service.

Eligibility

Any returning, full-time undergraduate teams of students at UNC are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to projects that have not been funded prior to this fellowship. A team can be made up of as many students as necessary, but only the four most active students need to fill out the application.

Academic and Community Connections

Members of selected teams will be enrolled in a spring course led by Dr. Micah Gilmer, clinical assistant professor of Social Innovation in the Public Policy Department. The course focuses exclusively on the knowledge, resources and strategies project teams need to know to successfully implement social ventures. Fellows will get exposure to cutting-edge techniques in applied research, team recruitment, project management, strategy and planning. They will also gain connections to leading social entrepreneurs in the area and around the world through class visits and intentional resource connections.

Reporting Requirements

Team members submit blog entries throughout the fellowship as well as a written final report reviewing project accomplishments, barriers, key lessons learned and recommendations for future projects. In addition, teams may be asked to make a presentation and/or mentor the following year’s fellows.

Project Consultation

APPLES is available for individual project consultation to provide applicants with beneficial tips on developing a project proposal, as well as helpful information on social entrepreneurship and community development strategies.

Apply

Applications for the Bryan Social Innovation Fellowship are now closed. Applications will open in the fall semester of 2013 for the 2014 fellowship year.