Thriving Fellows Program 2025 | Harvard Graduate School of Education

Thriving Fellows Program 2025 at Harvard Graduate School of Education: Empowering Youth in the Digital Age

The Center for Digital Thriving at the Harvard Graduate School of Education has opened applications for its 2025 Thriving Fellows Program. This initiative seeks to support emerging leaders who are committed to fostering youth well-being in a technology-driven world. The fellowship provides a platform for developing innovative strategies, research, and practices to navigate the complexities of digital engagement among young people.

Fellowship Duration

The program will run from September 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026.

Why Apply?

This fellowship aims to:

Promote collaboration among educators, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders.
Support groundbreaking projects that help youth thrive in an increasingly digital environment.
Offer funding and mentorship to initiatives focused on digital well-being and youth empowerment.

Theme: Mindshifts for Youth Thriving in a Digital World

The 2025 fellowship theme encourages applicants to rethink how youth and adults engage with technology. The focus is on fostering fresh perspectives that enhance youth agency and well-being in the digital realm. Projects may target:

Educators, parents, and healthcare professionals working directly with youth.
Policymakers and researchers influencing youth-oriented policies.
Youth themselves, inspiring critical reflection on their technology use.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to individuals based in the U.S. or those with projects based in the U.S.
Not open to international applicants or projects outside the U.S.
Encourages applications from professionals including researchers, K–12 educators, designers, policymakers, community leaders, journalists, artists, and content creators.
Full-time undergraduate or graduate students, including PhD candidates, are not eligible. Part-time students may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The fellowship is designed for individuals, not teams. If a project involves collaborators, only one individual can represent it as the Fellow.

Fellowship Benefits

$25,000 grant to support project-related expenses, such as materials, travel, and conference fees.
Access to mentorship and a professional network at the Center for Digital Thriving.
Participation in two in-person gatherings at Harvard University, with travel expenses covered.
Opportunities to publish and present work at relevant forums.

Program Expectations

Fellows will:

Join remote meetings with the program team and fellow participants at least once a month.
Travel to Cambridge, MA, 1–2 times during the fellowship for in-person sessions, with the first likely in October 2025.

Fellowship Deliverables

Share their ongoing work through at least one public presentation at a relevant venue (e.g., school, university, professional conference, or tech company).
Develop a public-facing resource such as a report, curriculum, publication, podcast, campaign, app, or youth-centered program.
Submit progress reports at the midpoint and conclusion of the fellowship, with an additional update one year later.

Key Dates

Letter of Interest Deadline: March 15, 2025
Full Proposal Invitations: Mid-April 2025
Full Proposal Submission Deadline: May 15, 2025
Final Decision Announcement: June 30, 2025
Fellowship Duration: September 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026

Application Process

The application consists of two stages:

Letter of Interest – Submit a brief bio, project summary, and impact statement through the designated application portal.
Full Proposal – Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a detailed proposal, including a personal statement, budget plan, and work samples.

Take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to shaping the digital future for young people with your expertise and creativity.

For More Information:

Call for Proposals: [Download here]
Info Session Registration: [Register here]
Email Inquiries: digitalthriving@gse.harvard.edu

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply