Applications are now open for the Bergel Institute Fellowships for passionate individuals from anywhere in the world (Fellow receives a $30,000 stipend)

Ednah Carrick February 19, 2026

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Closing Date: 28 February 2026

Applications are now open for the Bergel Institute Fellowships for passionate individuals from anywhere in the world (Fellow receives a $30,000 stipend)

The Bergel Institute is accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Fellowship Program, a suite of competitive, year-long fellowships supporting projects that advance human knowledge and improve the human condition. Each Fellow receives a $30,000 stipend, plus covered travel and lodging for two required in-person presentations during the fellowship year.

The Institute is currently recruiting Fellows across five themed tracks, including:

FE1: Bringing an End to the Poverty-Violence Connection in the U.S.
FE2: Building a Fully-Resourced Community
FT1: Using AI to Expand Economic Opportunity
FS1: Cutting Edge or Pseudoscience?
FH1: Expanding Our Understanding of Health and Healing

Fellowships run from June 2026 through May 2027 and are primarily virtual, with structured mentorship, monthly meetings, and quarterly progress reports. Final projects may take many forms, including research manuscripts, business or nonprofit launches, video series, or documentary films. After completing the fellowship year, Fellows serve as mentors to future cohorts

Bergel Institute Fellowships

The Bergel Institute offers Fellowships to individuals 21 years or older who wish to spend a year in intensive study and project development in a subject area that aligns with the advancement of human knowledge and the human condition. Applicants do not have to be enrolled in or associated with a school or academic program of any kind.

Applicants may also be enrolled in a graduate program at an institution anywhere in the world. Either way, Fellowship subject matter must fall within one of six major areas: Economics, Science, Technology, Consciousness, Health, or Culture. Each year, the Institute will list specific fellowship topics within these areas. Applicants may pick one or propose a different topic, as long as it aligns with the Institute’s goals.

Bergel Institute Fellowships run from June to May and are primarily virtual, with two paid Institute visits (to the home office in Florida) as the only in-person expectations during the Fellowship year. Fellows are expected to work approximately 20 hours per week and to bring a strong intrinsic motivation for the project. They will spend the year conducting intensive research and/or project development, supported by Institute staff, with monthly meetings and quarterly progress reports to help maintain momentum. The Fellowship is also intended to function as an incubator, providing time, guidance, and structure for work that continues beyond the Fellowship year.

Fellows receive a stipend of $30,000. As noted above, Fellows travel to the Institute twice during the Fellowship year to present to leadership: once in August, at the end of Q1, and again in May, at the end of the Fellowship year. The May presentation focuses on what was accomplished during the year and the Fellow’s plans for next steps. Final work may take many forms, including detailed manuscripts, the launch of a business or organization; or a video series, documentary films, etc. Travel and lodging for both presentations are covered by the Institute.

Upon completion of the Fellowship year, all Fellows are required to serve as mentors for future Fellows, ensuring that accumulated knowledge and experiences are passed to their successors.

How To Apply

Fellows should plan to commit approximately 1,000 hours across the Fellowship year. This is designed to support steady progress with clear milestones over the full Fellowship cycle.
If you are interested in more than one Fellowship, please submit a complete, full application for each Fellowship for which you want to be considered. Each application should be tailored to one specific Fellowship topic.