ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
What is the Just Tech Fellowship?
The Just Tech Fellowship is a program of the Social Science Research Council supporting researchers, artists, and practitioners working at the intersection of technology and society. The program explores how technology is developed, used, and governed, with a focus on approaches that reflect public needs and values. Fellows receive an unrestricted award of up to $60,000, along with mentoring, peer exchange, and access to a growing network working to inform public understanding of technology.
Who is the Just Tech Fellowship for?
The Just Tech Fellowship is for researchers, practitioners, and artists doing serious work at the intersection of technology and society, and for whom a year of dedicated support would make a real difference. Fellows have come from social science, journalism, the humanities, law, policy, community-based practice, technology, and the arts. There are no requirements related to field, credentials, or institutional affiliation. What matters is the quality and significance of your work.
Can artists apply?
Yes, and we actively welcome them. Just Tech recognizes artists as researchers and practitioners. If your creative practice engages substantive questions about how technology is designed, used, or experienced, this fellowship is for you.
Is this fellowship right for me right now?
The fellowship is best suited to researchers, practitioners, and artists who have a developed body of work, a compelling project they are ready to advance, and the capacity to engage seriously with a peer cohort. It may not be the right fit at this moment if you are currently enrolled as a full-time student, are not yet based in the United States for the fellowship year, or are at the early stages of defining your practice.
What kinds of projects does Just Tech support?
Just Tech supports a wide range of work, including investigative or data-driven projects, policy analysis, creative practice, community-engaged inquiry, and tool development. Projects do not need to fit a single format. What matters is that your work substantively engages digital or emerging technologies, addresses a meaningful question about their social impacts, and is positioned to make real progress within a year.
Is this fellowship different from previous Just Tech cohorts?
Yes. The 2027 fellowship is a focused one-year program with an unrestricted award. The program has been redesigned to give fellows the resources and flexibility to advance ambitious work within a concentrated period, with strong cohort support, mentoring, and peer exchange throughout the year.
THE AWARD
What does the fellowship provide?
Fellows receive an unrestricted individual award of up to $60,000, disbursed in installments over the course of the fellowship year. The final award amount is determined in conversation with each fellow based on project scope and need. The award is designed to be flexible, so fellows may use it to support their time, research activities, travel, equipment, or other project needs. No spending report is required.
Are there additional funding opportunities?
Yes. Fellows may apply for up to $5,000 in collaboration funding to support projects developed jointly with other Just Tech fellows. This funding is intended to encourage partnerships that would be unlikely to form outside of the Just Tech program. Details are provided at the start of the fellowship year.
Can fellows apply for a second year?
All fellows from the 2027 cohort are welcome to apply for a second year as Senior Just Tech Fellows. Spots are limited, and not all applicants will be selected. The Senior Fellow award is smaller than the initial fellowship award and is intended to support fellows in continuing and deepening their work. Details about the process and award will be shared with the cohort during the fellowship year.
Does the fellowship provide health insurance or other benefits?
No. The Just Tech Fellowship is an independent research award, not an employment arrangement. Health insurance and employment benefits are not provided.
ELIGIBILITY
Do I need to be a US citizen to apply?
Citizens of any country may apply. Fellows must reside in the United States for the full duration of the fellowship year (January 2027 through December 2027). The SSRC does not sponsor visas and may not be listed as an immigration sponsor or affiliate on visa applications. For questions about visa eligibility or requirements, please consult the US State Department or an immigration attorney.
Do I need a graduate degree?
No. There are no formal education requirements. Applicants may hold academic credentials or demonstrate a sustained record of research, creative practice, or public-facing work. What reviewers are looking for is the quality and relevance of your work, not your credentials.
Can current students apply?
Individuals currently enrolled as full-time students are not eligible. The fellowship is not intended to support dissertation completion or postdoctoral positions.
Do I need to leave my current job to participate?
No. The fellowship is designed to work alongside your existing work, not replace it. Fellows are not asked to leave their current positions. The expected commitment is approximately 10 hours per week dedicated to your project, plus participation in monthly virtual cohort gatherings, mentoring sessions, and one in-person workshop during the year.
Can I apply as part of a team or organization?
No. The fellowship supports individuals only. Your project may involve collaborators, partners, or organizations, but applications must be submitted by a single individual who will lead the work.
THE APPLICATION
What materials are required for a complete application?
A complete application includes four components:
• Résumé or CV (up to two (2) pages)
• Personal statement (up to 1,000 words or a recorded video of up to five (5) minutes)
• Work proposal (up to 3,000 words or a slide deck of up to 10 slides)
• Two work samples, each with a brief description of your role
What should the personal statement address?
Describe your research or creative practice, your primary areas of focus, and the questions that guide your work. You may reference prior projects that illustrate your approach and development.
What should the work proposal include?
The proposal should address six areas:
- Concept: What question, problem, or area of inquiry is your project addressing?
- Technology: How does the project engage digital or emerging technologies—their design, use, analysis, critique, or governance?
- Approach: What perspective or method does your project advance, and how does it contribute to the field?
- Feasibility: What challenges do you anticipate and how will you address them?
- Field context: How does your work relate to others working on similar questions?
- Public contribution: How will this project contribute to broader conversations about technology and society?
Can I submit a video statement or a slide deck instead of written documents?
Yes. The personal statement may be submitted as a written document (up to 1,000 words) or a recorded video (up to five (5) minutes). The work proposal may be submitted as a written document (up to 3,000 words) or a project deck (up to 10 slides). Either format is equally acceptable. If submitting a deck, it should address all six areas listed above.
What counts as a work sample?
Two work samples that reflect your research, creative practice, or public-facing work. Please include a brief description of your role in each.
May I use AI tools to help prepare my application?
Applicants may use digital tools to assist with brainstorming, editing, or translation. All submitted materials must reflect your own original ideas and voice, not be substantially generated by AI. Please declare any use of AI tools in your application.
Can I discuss my project idea with Just Tech staff before applying?
We are not able to review or give feedback on project ideas before submission. Please review the Call for Applications carefully and direct specific eligibility questions to just-tech@ssrc.org.
How do I submit my application?
Through the SSRC’s online portal at https://ssrc.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/1171/home, which opens on April 27, 2026. You may complete your application in multiple sessions, but you must save your work after each section. Applications sent by email will not be accepted. Once submitted, your application is final.
How will I know my application was received?
You will receive an automatic email confirmation upon successful submission. If you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours, please contact just-tech@ssrc.org with “Just Tech Fellowship” as the subject.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline to submit all application materials is June 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. This is the only application window for the 2027 cohort. Late applications will not be accepted.
SELECTION
What criteria are used to evaluate applications?
Applications are evaluated on six criteria:
• Articulated practice: a clearly defined research or creative practice and a coherent body of work
• Strength of project: a compelling project that addresses significant questions at the intersection of technology and society
• Capacity to execute: demonstrated ability to carry projects forward and bring work to completion
• Public engagement: evidence of sharing work publicly or maintaining meaningful engagement with relevant fields or audiences
• Fit with the fellowship: a thoughtful understanding of how participation in Just Tech would strengthen the proposed project
• Collaboration: a serious and constructive approach to working with peers and sharing work in progress
How are applications reviewed?
Applications are first screened by Just Tech staff for completeness. A cross-sector panel of evaluators then reviews eligible applications. The Just Tech Advisory Board reviews the highest-scoring applications. Finalists may be contacted for an interview or to provide additional information. All selections will be made by November 2026.
How many fellows are selected?
The 2027 cohort will include up to 10 fellows.
When will applicants be notified?
All applicants will be notified by email in November.
Will I receive feedback if I am not selected?
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are not able to provide individual feedback to applicants who are not selected.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
What is the fellowship term?
The fellowship runs from January 2027 through December 2027.
What does the fellowship ask of fellows?
Not much, by design. The fellowship is built around your work. The goal is to give you time and resources to advance it, not to fill your calendar. The expected commitment is around 10 hours per week on your project. Beyond that, fellows participate in monthly virtual gatherings with the cohort, engage in individualized mentoring, attend one in-person workshop, and submit a midterm and a final report.
Where is the in-person workshop held?
The location of the annual in-person workshop varies by cohort. Details are confirmed and shared with fellows before the fellowship year begins.
What is the Just Tech network?
The Just Tech network includes current and former fellows, SSRC staff, and practitioners working at the intersection of technology and society. Participation in the fellowship provides ongoing access to this network beyond the award year.
CONTACT
Who should I contact with questions?
For questions about the fellowship or your application, contact just-tech@ssrc.org. For technical issues with the application portal, contact communications@ssrc.org and copy just-tech@ssrc.org. Please include “Just Tech Fellowship” in the subject of all emails.
How can I stay informed about the Just Tech program?
Visit the Just Tech program page on the SSRC website to sign up for our mailing list and stay updated on program news and fellowship announcements.