Public Scholars Fellowship
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible if I do not hold a PhD?
Yes. The Moynihan Public Scholars Fellowship is open to academics, public service practitioners, and writers or journalists. Only academic applicants must hold a PhD by the time of application.
Do I have to be a US resident or citizen to be a Fellow?
Applicants need not be citizens to apply. However, they must have legal authorization to work in the United States. CCNY will not sponsor fellows for visas.
Can I apply as part of a group/team?
No. The Moynihan Public Scholars Fellowship only welcomes applications from individuals.
Is there an age limit?
No. However, preference will be given to mid-career applicants. Academic applicants must hold faculty or research positions and are expected to have a PhD at the time of application.
What kind of public engagement experience should applicants have?
Strong candidates will demonstrate a track record of engaging broad audiences through various channels, which may include: published articles in general interest publications, op-eds, media appearances, public speaking engagements, or policy papers for general audiences. We particularly value applicants who have shown an ability to communicate complex ideas effectively across different audiences and ideological perspectives.
What should be included in the personal statement?
Strong personal statements will articulate:
- The applicant's approach to public scholarship and experience engaging broad audiences
- Their commitment to substantive dialogue across ideological divides
- How they would contribute to and benefit from our intellectual community and society of fellows
- A description of their current research or writing project and how they would present this work to both the Public Scholars seminar and undergraduate fellows
- Their interest in mentoring emerging civic leaders
What are the selection criteria for Moynihan Public Scholars Fellows?
Moynihan Public Scholarship Fellows will be selected according to the following criteria:
- Heterodox or Cross-Partisan Ideas. Strong applications will demonstrate a commitment to pursuing bold, creative, and heterodox approaches to pressing public issues, especially those mired by partisan division.
- Subject Expertise. Strong applications will demonstrate subject expertise gained either through rigorous research or professional experience.
- Public Service. Strong applications will demonstrate a principled commitment to serving the public good.
- Popular Communication. Strong applications will demonstrate success in communicating complex ideas to broad, non-expert audiences.
- Intellectual Community. Strong applications will show potential for contributing to and benefiting from our weekly seminar and broader society of fellows.
What themes or topics are more likely to be successful?
All themes and topics related to public affairs are welcome, but those engaged with issues that animated Senator Moynihan's career will be given priority. These include, but are not limited to:
- Democratic Culture and Cross-Partisan Cooperation
- Institutional Transparency and Reform
- Social and Welfare Policy
- Racial Justice in a Multi-Ethnic Society
- Environmental Politics and Climate Change
- Public Space, Design, and Art
The strongest applications will demonstrate experience pursuing bold, creative, and heterodox approaches to these subjects. In particular, cross-partisan approaches—those that elude easy partisan categorization—will be given priority.
How many fellows are selected each cycle?
Up to seven (7) Fellows will be selected to receive the $30,000 fellowship award for the academic year. Additional Fellows may be appointed without stipend for candidates who have their own source of funding (such as sabbatical salary or external grants) and wish to participate in our intellectual community. All Fellows, regardless of funding source, are full participants in the weekly seminar and broader society of fellows, with equal access to CCNY facilities and fellowship programming.
Do I need to answer all of the questions on the application form?
Yes. Only complete applications will be considered.
May I submit my application by fax or email?
No. Applications sent by fax or email will not be accepted. Applicants must use the Moynihan Public Scholars Online Application Portal to supply the necessary information.
How can I find out whether the program has received my application?
An acknowledgment of receipt will be sent automatically via email upon successful submission of the application. If you do not receive an automatic email confirmation after submitting your application, please contact moynihancenter@ccny.cuny.edu and specify “Public Scholars Fellowship” in the subject line.
When are applications due?
Complete applications are due no later than Monday, February 10, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET. For further information, please direct inquiries to moynihancenter@ccny.cuny.edu.
Do I have to complete the application all at once?
No. Applicants may save an open application and return to it prior to the deadline.
What is the Fellowship Term?
The Fellowship term runs through the 2025–2026 academic year, from September 2025 through May 2026.
What are the fellowship requirements?
Fellows are required to:
- Attend the weekly Moynihan Public Scholars Seminar during Fall and Spring Semesters (Tuesdays, 12:00-2:00 PM)
- Present their work three (3) times:
- One (1) time per semester to peer fellows and faculty during the weekly seminar
- One (1) time per year to undergraduate fellows
- Participate in structured mentorship events with undergraduate fellows
- Identify as a "Moynihan Public Scholar at the City College of New York" in published work and media appearances during the fellowship year
Are remote fellowships allowed?
No. Fellows must be able to attend the weekly seminar in person at City College's campus in Harlem.
How is the fellowship award disbursed?
The $30,000 award is disbursed in two equal installments of $15,000 at the end of each semester, contingent upon meeting fellowship requirements.
Are there limitations to how fellows may use their award?
The $30,000 award ($15,000 per semester) is unrestricted and there are no limitations on how it may be used. Fellows are neither required to submit budgets nor spending reports.
Does the Fellowship provide health insurance?
Health insurance is not included as an additional benefit.
Will I have access to City College facilities?
Yes. Fellows will have access to CCNY's library and research facilities during the fellowship term.
Is office space available?
Shared office space may be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Is parking available?
There is no parking available on CCNY's campus. Alternate-side street parking, metered parking, and parking lots are available within walking distance of the campus.