Fellowship FAQ

Eligibility & Background

    • Individuals whose work connects scholarship to real-world systems or policy change and who are legally eligible to receive a paid stipend from a United States-based not for profit organization are encouraged to apply.

      ○ Applicants may include early-career and emerging scholars (e.g., postdoctoral fellows, assistant professors), as well as established researchers (e.g., associate or full professors).

      ○ Applicants are not required to hold a PhD or be affiliated with a university. There is no minimum educational requirement; however, applicants must not be currently enrolled as students in an academic degree program. Graduate students are not eligible to apply.

  • Yes. Practitioners and nonprofit professionals are eligible to apply, provided they have research experience and/or relevant work history that connects scholarship to real-world systems or policy change. All applicants must be legally eligible to receive a paid stipend from a United States based nonprofit organization.

  • No. Applicants need not reside in Kansas or Missouri. Although United WE will cover reasonable travel expenses and accommodations for the final symposium, it will not cover additional costs related to travel documents, visas, or other expenses that may be incurred by a Fellow traveling from outside the United States.

  • Yes. Researchers who are currently working or who have previously worked on a United WE project are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Fellowship Structure & Requirements

    • The Fellowship is designed to be completed alongside other professional commitments, with flexible pacing over 12 months.

    • In addition to the time spent on research and written deliverables, Fellows are required to attend a two-day Fellowship Symposium hosted by United WE. Virtual convenings will be brief, typically 2 hours or less, with reasonable notice.

    • One original white paper.

    • Two short-form written pieces that present evidence and translate research findings into actionable guidance for policymakers and community leaders. One of these will be a two-page research brief addressing the question, “What actions can community leaders and policymakers take to help rural communities thrive?”

    • Attendance at a two-day, in-person Fellowship Symposium at the conclusion of the Fellowship (Summer 2027; location and timing to be determined).

    • Participation in virtual convenings, with reasonable notice.

  • The date and location of the Fellowship Symposium have not yet been determined. Fellows will receive ample advance notice to plan their attendance. Reasonable travel and accommodation costs will be covered by United WE.

Research Scope & Fit

  • Not necessarily. There is no requirement for Fellows’ research to focus exclusively on women. However, United WE encourages projects that explore how policies and systems uniquely affect women in rural communities.

  • For this Fellowship, “rural” refers to any county within the United States with a population of fewer than 50,000 residents.

  • No. Fellows may research any rural United States community. However, if the research is not focused on rural Kansas or rural western Missouri, it should clearly highlight implications for these specific areas.

    • Fellows’ research should enhance understanding of the challenges facing rural communities and offer insights that can drive systems change to improve residents’ well-being.

    • Potential areas of study include–but are not limited to–economic development and entrepreneurship, workforce participation, caregiving and family support, civic engagement, health care access, physical infrastructure, education, and community cohesion.

    • Applicants may also propose research in other areas, as long as it aligns with the goals of the Fellowship.

  • Fellowship awards are intended to support new research and the exploration of issues affecting rural America, including the unique impacts on women in rural communities.

    • No. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is not required to apply. If a project requires IRB approval, applicants should describe their plan for obtaining approval as part of their project proposal.

    • Selected Fellows whose research projects require IRB approval will be solely responsible for securing that approval. Within 30 days of the date a Fellow is notified of selection, the Fellow must provide an estimated completion date for obtaining IRB approval and submit periodic updates thereafter. United WE reserves the right to modify or withdraw the Fellowship offer if required approvals are not obtained within a reasonable timeframe.

Award Funding

    • Fellowship stipends are awarded to support research and professional development.

    • Although these stipends are not payments for services and do not constitute independent contractor compensation, they are considered taxable income. Fellows will complete a W-9 and be responsible for reporting and paying any applicable federal, state, or local taxes.

    • United WE will report the stipend payment on 1099-MISC, Box 3 (“Other Income”).

  • No. To ensure the full award amount goes directly to the Fellow without being subject to institutional overhead or administrative requirements, funds cannot be routed through an employer. Awards must be paid directly to the individual recipient or to their independent business entity (such as an LLC).

    • Fellowship stipends may be considered taxable income, whether received by an individual or through an LLC. Fellows are solely responsible for fulfilling any federal, state, local, or other tax obligations. United WE does not withhold taxes and is not responsible for any tax-related obligations.

    • United WE will issue the appropriate tax form at year-end, and recipients are responsible for reporting the award on their tax return. United WE cannot provide individual tax or legal advice; recipients are encouraged to consult a tax professional regarding how the award may affect their personal or business taxes.

    • Yes. Recipients will complete:

      • a fellowship agreement outlining expectations

      • a W-9 form (individual or business), and

      • ACH payment information.

    • The Fellowship Stipend is awarded to support recipients’ independent research and professional development during the Fellowship year. It may also support the development and completion of Fellows’ projects, such as supplemental salary, research expenses, travel, or other related costs.

    • Funds are not treated as reimbursements for documented expenses, and recipients are not required to submit receipts. The award supports the Fellow’s research activities and related professional engagement during the Fellowship period. and will likely be considered taxable income under IRS rules. While some personal expenses may be associated with your project, the award is designed to reflect the value of your time, expertise, and insights rather than itemized costs.

  • No. The award amount is fixed and cannot be modified for overhead, fringe benefits, administrative costs, or any other expenses.

  • Each Fellow will receive $15,000 upon signing a Fellowship Agreement with United WE. The final installment will be disbursed during the final phase of the Fellowship year, contingent upon active participation in the program.

  • Recipients are responsible for understanding and complying with any policies their employer may have regarding outside work or Fellowship funding. If you are employed by a university, nonprofit, or other institution, please review any internal requirements and notify your employer as needed. United WE will not contact employers on your behalf.

Application Components & Process

  • Strong proposals demonstrate the clear potential to influence rural policy, practice, or systems and make meaningful contributions to the field of study. Projects that highlight how policies, systems, and trends uniquely affect women in rural communities, and that address topics central to United WE’s mission, will be viewed especially favorably.

    • To ensure fairness and rigor, a pooled reviewer model will be used for all proposals:

    • Each proposal will receive one review from United WE staff and two scores from external reviewers.

    • All reviews are blind: reviewers are assigned a number that identifies the author instead of their name.

    • Reviewers follow the same rubric, scoring scale, and written guidelines. Applications will be reviewed against the following criteria: Relevance to Fellowship Purpose, Originality & Contribution to Existing Knowledge, Potential for Policy & Systems Impact, Feasibility, Applicant Qualifications & Experience, and Clarity & Quality of Research Proposal.

    • Review assignments are made using a standardized method (e.g., rotation or randomization).

    • Scores are aggregated using a documented formula.

    • After initial scoring using the rubric, the top 10 proposals will advance. United WE reserves the right, however, to advance more than 10 proposals in case of a tie or in order to ensure a diverse range of topics in the final proposals considered.

  • No. The Rural Research Fellowship is intended to support an individual’s independent research. If the project involves collaboration with other researchers, the application should list these collaborators, including their titles, affiliations, and a brief description of their roles.

  • No. Applicants may submit only one proposal.

  • No. Letters of recommendation are optional.

  • United WE expects to notify applicants of their application status in June 2026.

  • No. United WE is unable to provide feedback on applications.

Fellowship Experience

  • The Rural Research Fellowship fosters connections among Fellows through a virtual convening at the start of the Fellowship, the Fellowship Symposium at its conclusion, and on-going bite-sized engagement opportunities throughout the program.

  • Yes. United WE will cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs for the Fellowship Symposium.

  • Fellows may request a single 3-month (90-day) extension to complete Fellowship components. Requests must be submitted in writing to United WE at least 30 days in advance. United WE reserves the right to deny extension requests.

Post-Fellowship Expectations

  • Fellows retain ownership of their research and deliverables. By accepting the Fellowship, Fellows grant United WE a nonexclusive, royalty-free license to publish, reproduce, and distribute Fellowship deliverables, with appropriate attribution.

  • Fellows are not required to participate in United WE events or dissemination activities after completing the Fellowship. However, United WE welcomes ongoing engagement with Fellows, including involvement in future research Fellowship iterations.

For any questions not addressed in this FAQ, please email Fellows@united-we.org.

Allow up to 2 business days for a response.