The Just Tech Fellowship is a Social Science Research Council program for researchers, artists, and practitioners advancing projects about technology and society. The 2027 cohort supports individual research, creative practice, and community-engaged work while fellows reside in the United States.
Fellows develop their projects through monthly virtual gatherings, individual mentoring, and one in-person workshop at a location that varies by cohort. Applications for the 2027 cohort are closed, and up to 10 fellows will be notified in November 2026.
Benefits & funding
- An unrestricted individual award of up to $60,000, paid in installments during the fellowship year; the final amount depends on project scope and need.
- Flexible use for the fellow’s time, research, travel, equipment, or other project needs, with no spending report required.
- An opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 in collaboration funding for joint projects with other Just Tech fellows.
- Monthly virtual cohort gatherings, individual mentoring, one in-person workshop, peer exchange, and continued access to the Just Tech network.
- The award is not employment and does not include health insurance or employment benefits.
Eligibility
- Citizens of any country may apply, but fellows must reside in the United States throughout January to December 2027; the SSRC does not sponsor visas.
- Applicants must apply as individuals and lead their proposed projects; teams and organizations cannot apply.
- Full-time students are not eligible. There is no formal degree or institutional-affiliation requirement.
- Applicants should have a developed body of research, creative, or public-facing work and propose a project that substantially engages digital or emerging technology and its social effects.
- Fellows should expect to spend about 10 hours per week on their projects and join monthly virtual gatherings, mentoring sessions, and one in-person workshop.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Residence required
USA
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Application process
- 1Access the SSRC application portal during the announced application window and apply as an individual.
- 2Submit a résumé or CV of no more than two pages.
- 3Submit a personal statement of up to 1,000 words or a video statement of up to five minutes.
- 4Submit a work proposal of up to 3,000 words or a project deck of up to 10 slides covering the concept, technology, approach, feasibility, field context, and public contribution.
- 5Provide two work samples with a brief description of the applicant’s role in each, declare any use of AI tools, and submit the complete application before the deadline.
Program timeline
Application portal opened.
April 27, 2026
Application deadline.
June 28, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
Selected fellows notified.
November 2026
Fellowship begins.
January 2027
Fellowship ends.
December 2027