Fellowships

Throughout U.S. Programs' history, OSI has been committed to offering individual fellowships to support the research and work of open society leaders and visionaries who engage passion, ingenuity, and dynamism to effect change. Through a variety of fellowship programs and focuses over the years, fellowships have been awarded to exceptional individuals working on innovative public interest projects that address an array of critical issues of concern to OSI, such as access to legal services and government assistance, criminal justice reform, investigative journalism, immigration and civic identity, access to health care and improved end-of-life care, education reform, and professional and ethical conduct in law, medicine and journalism.

Through its fellowships, OSI seeks to ensure that individuals have mobility and intellectual freedom while conducting research on a chosen topic, and in chosen communities. The fellowships assist individuals wishing to apply their education and professional experiences to serve disadvantaged communities and to further their public and community service careers; expand the number of mentors, role models and progressive leaders; and promote entrepreneurial initiatives that empower communities to increase opportunity and improve the quality of life for their residents.

By targeting innovative and entrepreneurial individuals, partner organizations in need of both technical assistance and capacity building support, and in-depth journalism and media projects, OSI aims to stimulate and sustain a national conversation on these issues while helping individuals and the organizations they work with, to more effectively serve their communities.

The following is a list of U.S. Programs fellowships, as well as other programs open to U.S. citizens.

Soros Justice Fellowships
The Soros Justice Fellowships support outstanding individuals, including lawyers, advocates, grassroots organizers, activist academics, journalists, and filmmakers, to implement innovative projects that address one or more of the criminal justice priorities of OSI’s U.S. Programs.

Baltimore Community Fellowships
OSI's Baltimore Community Fellowships assist individuals wishing to apply their education and professional experiences to serve marginalized communities.

Documentary Photography Project
Through grantmaking, exhibitions, and training workshops, the Documentary Photography Project supports photographers whose work addresses social justice and human rights issues that coincide with OSI’s mission.

Open Society Fellowship
The Open Society Fellowship enables innovative professionals—including journalists, activists, academics, and practitioners—to work on projects that inspire meaningful public debate, shape public policy, and generate intellectual ferment within the Open Society Institute.