HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal ISNA Fellowship Program
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) in conjunction with HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal announces the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal ISNA Fellowship Program. This Fellowship is being offered to Muslim Americans pursuing graduate studies in the management and governance of non-profit organizations in the United States.
The main objective of the HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal ISNA Fellowship Program is to train effective and knowledgeable Muslim leaders who are able to advance programming, fundraising, and other essential skills needed to lead successful non-profit organizations in the United States. Every year a total of ten fellows will receive a substantial scholarship and stipend:
- Scholarship awards cover up to $11,000 per year for tuition and required fees
- Stipend of $1,000 per month for nine months
In addition to fulfilling university academic requirements, fellows will serve as interns in the summer or on a part-time basis during the school year with ISNA or another non-profit organization approved by ISNA. During the internship, fellows will receive relevant hands-on experience which they can carry to any non-profit institution. A minimum of 480 hours will be completed during the summer or over the course of the school year, which equates to 15 hours/week from September to mid-May, with periodic breaks in line with the academic calendar. These 480 hours are also achievable at 40 hours/week over the course of 12 weeks in the summer.
An important component of the HRH Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal ISNA Fellowship Program will be a service-based project in addition to the academic and institutional training that fellows will receive. This project will be related to work performed during the internship. Achievements made through completed projects will be featured in ISNA’s magazine, Islamic Horizons.
Muslim graduate students pursuing a degree in non-profit management, philanthropy or other related fields are eligible for the fellowship. In addition applicants must have:
- Graduated from a college or university (with a BA/BS or graduate degree) within one year of application deadline, or be currently enrolled as a graduate student
- Completed all admissions and GRE testing requirements for application to academic program
- U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency
- Ability to complete an internship with a U.S. non-profit organization, (consisting of a minimum of 480 hours).
- Availability to attend an intensive five-day orientation and training program as well as to assist with work at the ISNA Annual Convention. (ISNA covers all expenses related to travel, hotel and other accommodations necessary for attendance at orientation and the convention.)
Periodic proof of attendance and satisfactory course completion will be required in order to retain the scholarship and stipend. Fellows will be required to provide regular reports of internship hours worked, progress made on projects related to the internship, evaluations from a field supervisor, and transcripts of grades.
Selection will be based on a combination of the following criteria:
- High academic achievement (preference will be given to applicants with 3.0 GPA or higher)
- Consistent active participation in public service-oriented activities
- Evidence of leadership skills and potential for growth
- Superior analytical and communication skills (oral and written)
- Confirmation of ability to meet program requirements