NEW AMERICA FOUNDATION BRINGS PROMISING NEW VOICES/IDEAS TO THE FORE

2000 Science-in-Society Award Recipient Jennifer Washburn (SW, Winter 2000-2001, p. 1) recently became a Fellow of the New America Foundation and wants NASW members to know more about this organization, founded in 1999.

The purpose of the New America Foundation is to bring exceptionally promising new voices and new ideas to the fore of our nation's public discourse. Relying on a venture-capital approach, the Foundation invests in outstanding individuals and policy ideas that transcend the conventional political spectrum. Through its Fellowship Program and Strategic Initiatives, New America sponsors a wide range of research, published writing, conferences, and events on the most important issues of our time.

The New America Foundation is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit public policy institute that was conceived through the collaborative work of a diverse and intergenerational group of public intellectuals, civic leaders, and business executives. Major donors include the Packard Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Markle Foundation.

Each year, the New America Foundation awards up to 20 Fellowships to help outstanding individuals establish themselves as credible new voices in the nation's public debate. Regular Fellows, who receive stipends ranging from $25,000 to $45,000, have typically shown great promise in writing for student, academic, or popular publications, but have yet to establish themselves as leading commentators in the public discourse. Senior Fellows, who receive stipends up to $75,000, are generally well-established journalists, academics, or policy analysts who wish to make bold and risky departures in their work, or who, because of the unconventionality of their thinking, lack obvious patrons. Fellowships are awarded for one-year terms, and are potentially renewable.

In addition to their stipend, Fellows receive research and editorial assistance, and the opportunity to formulate their ideas within a close-knit intellectual community. Fellows also receive a range of professional development services to help them become established in their area of expertise and gain exposure via television, radio, and speaking appearances. Fellows who choose to work out of New America's Washington, DC headquarters are provided with fully equipped office space as well as full health-insurance benefits.

The New America Foundation considers Fellowship applications throughout the year. At this time, Fellowships are only available to U.S. citizens. New America's primary criteria for evaluating candidates include: originality of thought and analytical ability, intellectual range, writing talent, and the strength of their proposed writing project.

For additional information visit www.newamerica.net or write info@newamerica.net.

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(Source: Foundation Web site and information pamphlet)