Application information:

In Fall 2017, The Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation at Drexel University held an open call for Philadelphians to apply for one of three [3] Urban Innovation Fellowships. Lindy sought applicants working on urban challenges at any scale - from the block to the neighborhood to the city – who would benefit from the support and the expertise of the Lindy Institute, its faculty fellows, and staff. Three fellows were selected in this inaugural year.

Fellows receive the following benefits:

• Being paired with experts to help them think through strategies in real time during an Urban Innovation workshop from October 30 – November 1, 2018. The workshop included work sessions and public presentations over the 3 days.
• A $15,000 award to continue to work on their project at Drexel. Fellows receive guidance from the Lindy Institute to help determine the best use of the stipend, but have latitude to decide whether it be used as income or funding for implementation.
• Access to Drexel’s academic research facilities and maker spaces
• A comprehensive plan for how to take the project into its next phase

Selected Urban Innovation Fellows share their proposed projects at the urban innovation workshop and are supported by multidisciplinary teams led by internationally renowned experts to develop innovative strategies to address their challenges.  Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their challenge includes one or more of the following urbanist sectors:

• Public Space Creation/Improvement
• Creative Placemaking
• Environment/Conservation
• Historic Preservation
• Engineering/Infrastructure
• Public Health
• Public Safety
• Economic Development
• Public Art/Performance
• Transportation
• Education and Skills Development
• Entrepreneurship/Innovation
• Inclusive Growth
• Civic Engagement
• Technology
• Immigration
• Governance
• Housing
• Social Justice

Applications are reviewed by Lindy leadership according to the following criteria:

• Authentic enthusiasm for urban problem-solving and passion for the city and its communities
• Capacity for the work to positively impact a community in Philadelphia
• Potential impact on communities as diverse as the city itself
• Likelihood to benefit from the interdisciplinary expertise of Lindy
• Could serve as a proving ground for innovative thinking and practice that can be applied elsewhere.
• Demonstrated capacity or potential for impact in previous projects
• Ability to articulate challenges as evidenced through application and optional video (A short video submission is also highly recommended, and is aimed at helping reviewers get to know more about the applicant and their project. This video should be no longer than two [2] minutes, and can be shot on any phone, hand-held device, or video camera.