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Summer Vaid Fellowship Applications Now Being Accepted
Vaid Fellowships: to support and recognize the leadership of people of color
and other emerging leaders in Social Science, Public Policy and Legal
Research
APPLICATION DEADLINE: For Summer 2004, application deadline is March 12,
2004. Decisions will be made and communicated by April 16th.
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE POLICY INSTITUTE?
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute is the largest
think tank in the U.S. engaged in research, policy analysis and strategic
action to advance equality and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender (LGBT) people. At the Policy Institute we are expanding the
knowledge base that our movement needs to conduct informed public education
and advocacy campaigns to ensure that policy frameworks treat our community
and our relationships fairly-including those frameworks not usually thought
of as "gay" issues, like anti-poverty policy. We then translate this into
tools that grassroots activists can use to conduct public education and
public engagement campaigns.
The Policy Institute focuses in particular on issues of concern to LGBT
people of color and low-income people of all races through Racial and
Economic Justice Initiative; as well as family policy issues; aging and
youth policy issues; voting behavior and political representation issues;
public opinion; workplace benefit and discrimination issues; the impact of
anti-gay ballot initiatives, and the anti-gay movement; and documenting
basic demographics of the LGBT community.
The Task Force Policy Institute is a 501(c)(3) founded in 1995 and is
located in New York City. It is a program of the National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force, which was founded in 1973 and works to eliminate prejudice,
violence and injustice against LGBT people at the local, state and national
level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and
equality, the Task Force is creating a world that respects and celebrates
the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully
participate in society.
WHAT IS THE VAID FELLOWSHIP?
The Vaid Fellowship was created through generous grants from the Billie Jean
King Foundation and the Anita May Rosenstein Foundation in honor of the
Policy Institute's former director, long-time activist Urvashi Vaid. Vaid
Fellowships support and recognize the leadership of people of color and
other emerging leaders in the progressive movement for LGBT equality.
Vaid Fellows are given a great deal of responsibility. The three Vaid
Fellows selected for Summer 2004 will focus on legal and policy research and
writing, and will be directly supervised by a staff of nationally recognized
LGBT policy experts from social science and legal research fields.
STIPEND
Summer Vaid Fellows are paid a stipend of $400 per 40-hour week. The summer
2004 term runs from June 7 - August 13. Vaid Fellows work in the Task Force
New York City office and are responsible for their own housing and living
expenses.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must be enrolled in a degree program at least half-time as a law,
graduate or undergraduate student, or have successfully completed a law,
graduate or undergraduate degree within the 12 months preceding the
application deadline. Statistical analysis skills are particularly needed.
Interested applicants should have:
- Demonstrated leadership in progressive and/or LGBT communities.
- Knowledge of and commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
issues.
- Desire to work in a multi-cultural environment where commitment to
diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation and
physical ability is an important institutional value.
- Extensive skills in research, writing and critical thinking.
- Computer proficiency in word processing, database work, email and Internet
research.
Applications must include:
1. Cover letter outlining the applicant's interest and background, if any,
in public policy affecting LGBT people
2. Resume
3. Contact information for three references
4. A brief writing sample (maximum 5 pages)
Applications must be received by March 12, 2004. Please mail application
packages to:
Policy Institute Fellowship Program
NGLTF Policy Institute
214 W. 29th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Do not fax or e-mail your information. No telephone calls please.
The Vaid fellowship is highly competitive.
We will contact you if we desire an interview, and all applicants will
eventually be contacted.
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Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the oldest
national organization working to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice
against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people at the local,
state and national level. The Task Force trains activists and leaders and
organizes broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance
pro-LGBT legislation. The Task Force Policy Institute, the community's
premiere think tank, researches and reports on critical policy issues. As
part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality,
the Task Force is creating a world that respects and celebrates the
diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully
participate in society.
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