Deadline: July 30, 2016
Type: Fully Funded
Why should I apply to be a Fellow and what are the program benefits?
The TED Fellowship program has the ability to slingshot your career forward. As a Fellow, you will be introduced into a powerful network of innovators that can be future collaborators. By attending and speaking at the TED Conference, you not only have the ability to spread your message far and wide, but you will also meet people who may be able to help your career. Aside from the conference, Fellows have access to personal mentorship opportunities and speaker coaching following conference participation.
How long does the Fellowship last?
Technically, the Fellowship is a one-year commitment that is centered around a TED Conference. However, we like to say “once a Fellow, always a Fellow” so as long as you are willing to be a part of our community you can be!
What is the Senior Fellows program? How do I become a Senior Fellow?
The word “senior” has nothing to do with age. The Senior Fellows program is an extended two-year Fellowship program. Fellows who have completed the terms of their fellowship may apply to be a TED Senior Fellow. Every year, all the TED Fellows from all the previous years who have applied for the Senior Fellows program will be pooled; 10 from among all of these will be selected to be Senior Fellows. Benefits include: participation in four additional Senior Fellows-focused pre-conferences, attendance to four additional TED events, and potentially the opportunity to deliver a TED Talk on the Fellows stage, TED University or main TED stage.
What do Fellows actually do once they get to the TED Conference?
Fellows will have worked with the team in the months leading up to the conference on a four-minute talk. Once they arrive at the preconference, they will meet the other Fellows, participate in skill-building workshops, and attend talk rehearsals. When the main conference begins, they will deliver their talk on stage and it will be filmed and considered for TED.com. After the talks, Fellows will participate in the conference as a regular attendee. They can watch all other talk sessions, speak with other TED attendees, and meet new collaborators and friends.
Application requirements
Do applicants need to be a certain age?
We are targeting applicants of ages 21-40. However, anyone over age 18 is welcome to apply. Our age range is simply a guideline.
The reason we say 40 as the upper limit is that usually people over 40 are already established and successful in their fields and do not need the help of the Fellowship program. We’re looking for people who are on the brink of something incredible but just need that extra push to make it happen.
This of course isn’t to say that someone over 40 doesn’t need our help! They absolutely could and should apply and then let us decide. The age guidelines simply were put in place after a few years of experience reviewing these applications.
If selected, what is the required time commitment as a Fellow?
Once selected as a Fellow, you must be available to speak with the TED Fellows team via videoconference for approximately five hours (over the course of approximately three months) prior to the TED conference.
The central requirement of the Fellowship is that you are available to attend the TED conference in person, for the entire time. In addition to the main five days of the TED conference, all Fellows participate in a three-day preconference directly preceding the main conference. This means you will be required to block off a total of eight consecutive days in your schedule. In the case of TED2017 this means you must be available from April 21 – 28, 2017 in order to be a TED Fellow.
Is English proficiency a requirement?
Because the TED Conferences are conducted in English, English proficiency is a requirement. This is to ensure every Fellow gets the most out of their experience. However, we do not require applicants to be native English speakers. Many do, in fact, have other native languages.
Do I have to cover any costs if I become a TED Fellow?
No! Once you are selected as a TED Fellow we will cover your flights (or equivalent) to and from the TED conference, any visa you may need, room, board + food while at the conference, and a conference pass.
More INFO
Apply online here