Maine Community Fellowship

Overview

Meant to capitalize on students' interests, the fellowship allows students to explore work in the public sector while developing an understanding of issues at the local level—what they are, and how to solve problems related to these issues by working with a broad spectrum of community leaders. This 10-week fellowship includes a $6,000 payment with an additional $1,000 expense supplement for students of aid, and fellows are eligible for on-campus housing. In addition to their placements, students convene regularly with other fellows for reflection and problem solving. Most fellowship placements go from early June to mid-August. The Davidson Summer Fellowship is an annual fellowship within the Maine Community Fellowship cohort awarded to a student working with youth populations.

Fellow Expectations

• Participate in an orientation to the program during the first week of June;
• Convene regularly with other fellows and staff for discussion, reflection and problem solving and to identify common themes among participating agencies that might be addressed in the future;
• Present a summary of the experience to participating agencies, students, faculty and staff at the end of the summer;
• Participate in an evaluation of the program at the end of the summer.

Interest in public issues, academic record, and financial need are all important criteria for fellowship applicants, although students not receiving aid are eligible if a paying summer job is a necessity.

Timeline

• Mid-December 2023: Community Partner Sites are selected for 2024 and Student Application goes live
• February 2, 2024: Student Application due at Noon (12:00 PM) EST
• February 14: Students are notified whether their application is being forwarded for consideration to community partners
• February 16–March 1: Community Partners interview candidates
• March 8: Students notified of placement offer
• March 15: Final student acceptances DUE via email
• June 5: Fellowship begins & fellow orientation
• Week of July 22: Summer celebration
• August 9: Maine Community Fellowships conclude

If you are interested in working on an environmental or sustainability-related project, please consider the Maine-Based Fellowships offered by the Environmental Studies program primarily for students majoring in Environmental Studies. For more information, contact Eileen Johnson.

For more information on the Maine Community Fellowship throughout the year, please contact Tom Ancona.