The application process begins in August every year. At that time, the Intent to Apply Form is available for you to submit. This is a simple form that allows you to connect directly with staff at JPEF for support on the application. In October, the full application becomes available on this website. Applications are due in January, and Fellows are notified of their selection in March. Fellows can complete their learning experiences the following summer or fall, or spring of the following calendar year. Learn more about the application process.

We suggest you start by asking yourself what areas of your school or classroom you think could benefit from improvement or innovation. Then, ask yourself, “Where could I learn how to lead an improvement or innovation in this area? Where are teachers doing this well? Who are the experts on this problem?” For example, if your students are struggling with literacy, perhaps you could pursue an intensive training on literacy instruction. We also encourage you to reach out to Taj Johnson on the JPEF staff for help generating project ideas. Another way to get started on your brainstorming is by reading about past fellows’ experiences.

Past Fellows have participated in programs such as the Ecology Project International’s teacher professional development programs, studying with the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy at Ohio State University, teacher programs with the Earthwatch Institute, visits to historical and natural sites such as the Badlands National Park, the English Literature Summer School program in Oxford, England, the Columbia Teachers College Summer Institute, and many more. Visit our Meet the Fellows page for more inspiration.

No. The Fellowship is specifically designed to support teachers in public schools, both traditional public schools and public charter schools.

Yes. Charter schools are public schools. Teachers in both public charter schools and traditional public schools may apply.

Most likely, yes! If you spend more than 50 percent of your time on direct instruction of students, you are eligible to apply. Oftentimes, this includes reading and math coaches, speech pathologists, as well as guidance counselors. Read the full criteria for eligibility here, and contact Taj Johnson at edelman@jaxpef.org to ask about your specific situation.

The Fellowship is only open to teachers who plan to return to the classroom after their Fellowship because it is designed to support classroom teaching. The application requires teachers to affirm their intent to return to the classroom in the year after the Fellowship.

The Fellows are chosen by a selection committee composed of award-winning teachers, past Fellows, as well as the Edelman family. It’s worth noting here that the committee includes both professional teachers as well as those with less knowledge of the teaching profession, so it’s important your application be clear and compelling to a general audience.

The selection committee will read your application closely, looking to ensure your project is unique, creative, thoughtful, and appropriate for the Fellowship’s goals. Attention to detail, supporting evidence for your project, and writing quality will make a big difference. When writing your application, it’s very important to present your project in the most professional, compelling way, citing sources and statistics where relevant, while also keeping the material digestible for committee members who are not teachers themselves. You may find it helpful to review examples of successful applications on our How to Apply page.

Historically, four to six applications from individuals and teams have been approved each year. The selection committee has the flexibility to award more or fewer applications based on the quality of the applicant pool. In fact, in the last few years, the number of Fellows has increased, as the committee has been impressed by a number of high-quality applications. The most important thing to know is that strong applications have a high chance of success. We recommend you put time and thought into your application, strive for quality writing, and seek help and advice from the JPEF staff for the best chance of being selected.

Here’s our advice on the budget. First, we provide a template in a spreadsheet for you, to make it easier to build. Second, we know that the budget will be an estimate, so don’t worry too much about costs that may change, such as flights. The selection committee will understand! Do some research, and make your best estimate. Your goal should be to make sure that you’ve designed a project that clearly fits within the award amount of the Fellowship: $6,500 for an individual teacher and $10,000 for a teaching team. In your estimate, keep in mind that it’s important you don’t drastically under-estimate your expenses, to ensure that your costs don’t exceed the amount you receive from the Fellowship. But it’s also wise not to over-inflate your estimated costs, because the selection committee will also be reviewing your documentation justifying your estimates. We suggest reviewing budget examples from successful applications on our How to Apply page. Don’t forget, the JPEF staff is here to help! 

Some Edelman Fellowship projects may involve the Fellow completing professional work that benefits their students or school community – for example, creating lesson plans or training other teachers. If your project includes this type of work, a stipend may be something you should include in your budget. Feel free to reach out to the staff at JPEF to talk about your specific situation.