United WE Launches Rural Research Fellowship to Advance Policy Solutions for Rural America
New $20,000 fellowship supports interdisciplinary research with a focus on Kansas and western Missouri
KANSAS CITY, MO — United WE today announced the launch of the United WE Rural Research Fellowship, a new competitive, interdisciplinary program designed to generate research that informs practical, nonpartisan policy solutions for rural communities. The fellowship is supported by the Patterson Family Foundation as part of its commitment to helping rural communities thrive.
“Rural communities offer unique strengths, deep local knowledge, and innovative approaches shaped by their distinct contexts,” said Maria Flynn, President and CEO of the Patterson Family Foundation. “By supporting United WE, we’re investing in research that elevates rural voices and helps leaders make smarter, more durable policy decisions that strengthen communities.”
The 12-month Fellowship will support original, policy-relevant research that advances understanding of the most pressing challenges facing rural America and equips policymakers and community leaders with insights to strengthen economic opportunity and quality of life. While projects will have a particular focus on Kansas and western Missouri, fellowship findings will have broader national implications.
Each Rural Research Fellow will pursue an independent research project examining rural-focused issues such as economic development and entrepreneurship, workforce participation, caregiving and family support—including child care and paid family leave—and civic participation. United WE encourages proposals that illuminate how policies, systems, and economic trends uniquely affect rural communities.
“For more than a decade, United WE has partnered with rural communities to understand the barriers shaping economic opportunity — particularly those that limit women’s full participation in the workforce and civic life,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “Through research, town halls, and civic engagement initiatives, we’ve translated those insights into practical policy solutions at the state and local levels, and this Fellowship builds on that foundation. By supporting rigorous research grounded in rural realities, we can help leaders design policies that expand opportunity for families, strengthen local economies, and ensure rural communities remain competitive and resilient.”
Fellowship Support and Benefits
Each selected Fellow will receive:
● A $20,000 award to support project development and completion, including research expenses, travel, or supplemental salary
● Membership in a cohort of Fellows engaging in shared learning, collaboration, and professional development
● Opportunities to translate research into action through United WE’s platforms, publications, and events
● Travel and accommodations to attend an in-person Fellowship Symposium at the conclusion of the program
Eligibility and Application Timeline
The Rural Research Fellowship is open to applicants from academic, nonprofit, and practitioner backgrounds whose work connects scholarship to real-world systems or policy change. Applicants may include emerging scholars, mid-career professionals, or seasoned researchers from any discipline and should demonstrate a commitment to rigorous inquiry, public engagement, and advancing understanding of rural communities in the United States.
Applications for the 2026 United WE Rural Research Fellowship will open on February 26, 2026, and must be submitted by April 6, 2026. Full eligibility criteria, selection details, and application instructions will be available at: https://www.united-we.org/rural-fellowship.
