The ANHD Community Development Graduate Fellowship supports the training and development of emerging community development leaders, while also building the capacity of community development organizations.

Every year, the Fellowship pairs 9 graduate students with 9 neighborhood-based community development corporations/ ANHD members (the Host Organizations) in NYC. The Fellowship provides an immersive experience where Fellows can gain hands-on experience and skill-building in various sectors of the community development field, including affordable housing, economic development, and community planning.

This Fellowship seeks to cultivate and empower emerging practitioners, especially from communities most impacted by housing instability and economic hardship in NYC.

Program Elements Include:

• High-quality training and mentorship at some of NYC’s best community development organizations
• A $20,000 stipend for the ten-month, 20-hour per week Fellowship which runs from September 2025-June 2026
• The opportunity to meet with leaders in New York City’s government, planning, and community development fields
• Access to our Fellow & Alumni Programming and other ANHD trainings and workshops including mixers, career-building information sessions, and other opportunities to connect with this growing community of community development professionals
• Possibility to receive academic credit, in accordance with the policies of the Fellows’ respective academic programs

• Fellow Application and Selection Process

  Timeline:

  • April-May 2026: Prospective Fellows and Hosts submit written applications by May 22nd, 2026
  • Mid-June 2026: Hosts selected and Fellow Finalists selected
  • Late June 2026: Matching Fair
  • Early July 2026: Fellow and Host Matches Selected

  Overview:

  The selection process for Fellows has two phases.

  In Phase One (April-May), a selection committee will review all written applications and select a pool of Finalists.

  In Phase Two (June), Finalists will be invited to a Matching Fair where they will interview with selected Host Organizations.

  These interviews are an opportunity for both Fellow Finalists and Host Organization Supervisors to assess alignment between finalists’ skills and interests and the project needs and opportunities. Using feedback from the Matching Fair, ANHD will determine placements for 9 Fellows by the end of June.

  Please note that not all finalists will be selected as Fellows, and while Fellows’ preferences for specific host organizations, projects and neighborhoods will be taken into account, the 9 Fellows may be placed with any of the Host Organizations.

  Host Organizations may be located anywhere within the five boroughs. 

  Requirements

  1. Enrollment in a Master’s degree program in Urban Planning, Urban Policy, Public Administration, or related programs with at least one semester or 1/4 of the credits necessary to graduate from their program completed as of September 2026; and continued enrollment in your program through the 2026-2027 academic year are encouraged to apply. Students graduating in May and December 2026 do not qualify for the Fellowship.
  2. Availability to work 20 hours per week at the Host Organization, whether in-person, remote, or a hybrid of the two.
  3. Strong commitment to empowering New York City’s neighborhoods.
  4. Strong respect for grassroots organizations.
  5. Some familiarity with community planning and neighborhood development and/or a clear and strong interest in community development.
  6. Strong academic record.
  7. Previous experience with community development, community planning, or community organizing is a plus.
  8. Being bilingual or multilingual a plus.
  9. Applicants must be available for approximately 4-5 hours of virtual interviews, either on one day or split over two days. The interview date(s) and specific times are to be determined.

  To apply, please submit this written application no later than Monday, May 22, 2026 at 5 PM.

  If you have any questions about the Fellowship, this application, or the selection process, please contact our team at capacitybuilding@anhd.org.