Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026 | Study in United States — The Eisner Foundation
⚠️ This scholarship's deadline has passed and it's no longer accepting applications.
A $10,000 personal stipend, $40,000 for project execution, and one full year to prove that connecting different generations can actually change a community. The Eisner Prize Fellowship backs individuals, not organizations, working on genuinely new ideas in intergenerational connection.
The Eisner Foundation has recognized exceptional intergenerational work since 2011, and its fellowship model gives that recognition real financial teeth.
About the Scholarship
The Eisner Prize Fellowship funds leaders proposing new programs, research, or technology that intentionally bring different generations together, rather than continuing an already-existing initiative. Selected fellows join a cohort, attend regular virtual meetings, and share progress with peers and foundation staff throughout the year-long project period. The Foundation is explicit that it wants fresh thinking: proposals should introduce something new to the intergenerational field rather than extend a program the applicant is already running.
Because the fellowship supports individuals directly rather than routing funds through an institution, it functions differently from most research or program grants. Applicants weighing similarly structured individual-support fellowships sometimes also look at the GovAI Research Fellowship, a much longer paid research role, or the Harris Social Impact Fellowship, which channels a comparable interest in social impact into a structured postgraduate program rather than direct project funding. Those exploring paid public-facing fellowships in Washington, D.C. might also compare this against the Wilson Center Fellowship Program, which funds a full year of policy research rather than a specific intergenerational project.
Scholarship Benefits
- Total funding of $50,000 per fellow
- A $10,000 personal stipend, paid in addition to the fellow’s existing salary rather than replacing it
- $40,000 dedicated to project execution costs
- Mentorship and expert guidance throughout the fellowship year
- Membership in a network of intergenerational leaders and innovators
- Learning sessions and collaborative opportunities with the fellow cohort
- National recognition tied to the Eisner Prize name
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be based in the United States
- Must be working on innovation in intergenerational connection specifically, not an existing or ongoing program
- The proposed project must be achievable within one year
- The proposed idea must be realistic within the $40,000 project budget
- Applicants must be able to execute the project themselves, rather than through a large team or organization
- People of color and individuals working with historically marginalized communities are particularly encouraged to apply
- Co-led teams may apply but must designate one primary contact; funding does not increase for group applications
Fields of Study Covered
Because the fellowship funds a specific project rather than academic study, past fellows have worked across:
- Community programming connecting youth and older adults
- Research on intergenerational relationships and outcomes
- Technology platforms designed to bridge generational divides
- Housing and shared-living models across age groups
- Education and mentorship programs spanning generations
Required Documents
- Project proposal or description
- Personal details and background information
- Supporting documents, if available
- Letters of support or recommendation, optional
- Links or examples of previous relevant work, optional
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
1. Visit the official Eisner Foundation application portal.
2. Read the fellowship guidelines carefully to confirm your project fits the innovation-focused criteria.
3. Create an account and begin your application.
4. Write a clear project proposal explaining your idea, its intergenerational focus, and how you would execute it within one year.
5. Upload any optional supporting documents, letters of support, or examples of past work.
6. Review your full application before submitting.
7. Submit before the deadline, since the application window is a short, defined period each year.
Selection Process
The Eisner Foundation reviews proposals for genuine originality, since the fellowship explicitly favors new ideas over continuations of existing programs. Reviewers also weigh whether the proposed budget realistically matches the project scope, and whether the individual applicant, rather than a large team, can credibly execute the plan within the one-year window. Historically, the strongest proposals have described projects that actively foster connection between age groups during the fellowship period itself, not just as a downstream outcome.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Propose something genuinely new rather than a continuation of a program you already run, since this is the fellowship’s central selection criterion
- Keep your project scope realistic within the $40,000 execution budget rather than describing an idea that would need significantly more funding
- Describe concretely how the project actively connects generations during the fellowship year, not just as an eventual goal
- If applying as a co-led team, clearly designate one primary contact as instructed
- Use optional supporting materials, like past work examples, to demonstrate you can realistically execute the idea alone
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I am continuing a program I already run?
No. The fellowship specifically supports new, innovative projects rather than continuing or expanding an existing intergenerational program.
Is this fellowship open to applicants outside the United States?
No. Applicants must be based in the United States to be eligible.
How many fellows are selected each cycle?
Recent cycles have typically selected three to five fellows, making this a highly selective program relative to the number of applicants it usually draws.
Can a team apply together?
Yes, co-led teams may apply, but one person must be designated as the primary contact, and the funding amount does not increase for group applications.
What can the $40,000 project funding be used for?
It is intended for direct project execution costs and ideally excludes overhead, supporting the actual implementation of the proposed intergenerational idea.
Does the $10,000 stipend replace my regular salary?
No. The stipend is meant to be disbursed in addition to the fellow’s existing salary, not as a partial replacement for it.
What happens after the fellowship year ends?
Fellows leave with a completed or well-advanced project, a stronger professional network within the intergenerational field, and the visibility that comes with the Eisner Prize name, which many use as a launchpad for further funding or partnerships.
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