Apply For Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026 | Up to $50,000 Prize
If you are someone who genuinely cares about bridging the gap between generations and you have a fresh idea that could change the way communities connect across age groups, then the Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026 might just be the opportunity you have been waiting for. This fellowship is one of the most exciting funding programs available right now for social innovators in the United States, and the 2026 cycle is officially open for applications.
In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about the Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026, including what it is, who can apply, how much funding you can receive, what kinds of projects get selected, and exactly how to submit your application before the deadline. Whether you are a nonprofit worker, a researcher, a community organizer, or someone with a bold new idea, this guide has all the details you need in one place.
What Is the Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026?
The Eisner Prize Fellowship is a prestigious program run by The Eisner Foundation, a philanthropic organization that has been dedicated to supporting intergenerational connection since its founding. The fellowship is designed to back leaders who are pioneering innovations in how different generations relate to, support, and learn from one another.
The Eisner Foundation first launched the Eisner Prize back in 2011 as an award to honor outstanding individuals and organizations working in the intergenerational space across the United States. Over the years, the prize recognized incredible people doing powerful work in communities around the country. Then in 2023, the foundation took things a step further and transformed the Eisner Prize into the Eisner Prize Fellowship, a fully funded program that does not just celebrate good work but actually finances it.
That shift was important. Rather than simply honoring work that had already been done, the fellowship now invests in leaders who have new ideas they want to bring to life. It gives them the money, the network, and the recognition to make those ideas a reality. For the 2026-27 cycle, applications opened on April 13, 2026, and will close on May 10, 2026. This means the window to apply is relatively short, so if this program interests you, now is the time to start putting your application together.
About The Eisner Foundation
To understand the fellowship properly, it helps to know a bit about the organization behind it. The Eisner Foundation is a Los Angeles-based private foundation that invests in programs connecting people across generations, with a particular focus on Los Angeles County and New York City. The foundation believes deeply in the power of intergenerational relationships to strengthen individuals, families, organizations, and entire communities.
The foundation’s grantmaking work supports nonprofit organizations that bring together people of different ages in meaningful ways, and the fellowship program is an extension of that broader mission. Through the fellowship, the Eisner Foundation is not just funding individual projects but also building a growing community of intergenerational leaders across the country who can learn from one another, share knowledge, and push the field forward together.
The foundation’s CEO, Trent Stamp, has spoken publicly about the cohort-based nature of the fellowship and the importance of creating what he describes as an intergenerational ecosystem among the fellows themselves, where people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences come together to support each other’s work.
Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026: Key Details at a Glance
- Fellowship Name: Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026
- Offered By: The Eisner Foundation
- Country: United States
- Fellowship Cycle: 2026-27
- Total Award Value: Up to $50,000 per fellow
- Number of Fellows Selected: 3 to 5 per cycle
- Application Open Date: April 13, 2026
- Application Deadline: May 10, 2026
- Fellowship Start: July 2026
- Fellowship Duration: One full year
- Focus Area: Intergenerational connection and innovation
How Much Funding Does the Eisner Prize Fellowship Provide?
One of the most attractive aspects of this fellowship is the funding. Each selected fellow receives a total of $50,000, which is broken down into two distinct components.
The first component is a $10,000 personal stipend paid directly to the fellow. This money can be used however the fellow chooses. It is yours to spend on professional development, travel, personal expenses related to your work, or anything else that helps you show up fully for your fellowship. Importantly, this stipend is meant to be given in addition to whatever salary the fellow already earns. It is not a replacement for their income, which is a detail that many fellowships overlook and that the Eisner Foundation has specifically called out as a point of principle.
The second component is $40,000 dedicated to project execution. This funding goes directly toward supporting a new, clearly defined intergenerational project that the fellow designs and leads. The foundation encourages fellows to use this money to cover direct project costs rather than overhead expenses, which means the bulk of the funding should be directed toward actually doing the work. There is no need to submit an itemized budget with the application, but the project proposal should demonstrate that the scope of work can be realistically completed within a year and within the $40,000 limit.
It is worth noting that if a co-leadership team applies together, the award amount remains $50,000 total. The funding does not increase for teams. Each team must also designate one person as the primary point of contact for the application process.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for the Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026?
The Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026 is open to a broad range of applicants, which is one of the things that makes it stand out from many other fellowship programs. Here is a breakdown of the eligibility requirements:
Geographic Requirement
Applicants must be based in the United States. There is no citizenship requirement explicitly stated, but your work, your affiliation, and the project you propose must be grounded in the US context.
Organizational Affiliation
Applicants must be affiliated with a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This does not mean you need to be a full-time nonprofit employee. Students can apply, and people working through a fiscal sponsor are also welcome. The key is that there is a recognized nonprofit entity under whose umbrella the project will be executed. This is a common requirement for fellowship programs that provide grant-like funding, and it ensures financial accountability for how the project money is spent.
Focus Area
Your work must be focused on innovating in the area of intergenerational connection. The foundation defines this broadly. You could be working in research, program development, technology, policy, community organizing, education, or any other domain, as long as your core focus is on creating new and meaningful connections between people of different generations.
Who Is Particularly Encouraged to Apply
The Eisner Foundation explicitly encourages applications from young people, people of color, and those working with historically marginalized or underserved communities. These are not requirements, but they reflect the foundation’s genuine commitment to equity and its desire to make sure the fellowship reaches the full diversity of leaders working in this space.
Individuals vs. Organizations
This is an individual fellowship, not a grant program for organizations. If you work for a nonprofit, you are welcome to apply, but your project proposal must represent a new, fresh idea that you personally envision and will lead. The fellowship is not designed to fund your organization’s existing programs. It is designed to invest in you as a leader with a new vision.
Teams
Co-leadership teams can apply, but because the application is structured for individuals, one person on the team must be designated as the primary applicant and main contact. As mentioned earlier, the funding amount remains $50,000 regardless of whether the award goes to an individual or a team.
What Kind of Projects Does the Eisner Prize Fellowship Fund?
Understanding what kinds of projects the Eisner Foundation is looking to support is crucial if you want to put together a competitive application. The foundation is very clear that it is looking for innovation, not continuation. This fellowship is not meant to provide additional support for programs that are already running. It is meant to launch something new.
The strongest proposals will introduce genuinely fresh programs, research initiatives, technology products, or other creative approaches that intentionally bring different generations together in ways that have not been done before, or have not been done in your particular context before. Historically, projects that actively foster real connections between generations during the fellowship period itself have tended to be the most successful. Projects that are more theoretical or that push their community engagement work into the future have been less competitive.
Here are the key characteristics the foundation looks for in a successful project proposal:
- The project must be genuinely new. It should not be an extension of something you are already doing, unless you are proposing a truly new component or phase.
- The project must have clear, achievable goals within a one-year timeline.
- The project must be realistic within a $40,000 budget.
- The project must be something you yourself can execute. The Eisner Foundation can act as a thought partner and help connect you to relevant networks, but they cannot serve as your ongoing research partner or external project team. The work needs to be yours.
- The project should have some kind of intergenerational connection happening actively during the fellowship year, not just in the planning or evaluation phase.
Past fellow projects have included initiatives in peacebuilding, youth leadership in aging communities, LGBTQIA+ intergenerational matching programs, civic storytelling, and more. The diversity of past cohorts shows that the foundation takes a genuinely open and flexible approach to what counts as intergenerational innovation.
What Does the Fellowship Experience Actually Look Like?
Being selected for the Eisner Prize Fellowship is not just about receiving a check. The fellowship comes with a full year of structured support and community-building, which many fellows describe as one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
Kickoff Convening in Los Angeles
Fellows typically gather in Los Angeles in July to officially begin their fellowship year. This in-person convening brings the cohort together for the first time, helps everyone get oriented, and sets the tone for the year ahead. The 2026 cohort will follow this same general structure, with a convening expected in July 2026.
Regular Cohort Meetings
Throughout the fellowship year, the cohort meets regularly over Zoom to share progress, troubleshoot challenges, and learn from one another. These sessions are not just reporting calls. They are designed to be genuinely collaborative and are co-created with the cohort based on what they need. External experts also sometimes join these sessions to share relevant knowledge or facilitate discussions.
Individual Check-ins with the Foundation
Each fellow also checks in individually with The Eisner Foundation periodically throughout the year. These one-on-one conversations are designed to give the foundation a clearer window into how each fellow’s project is progressing and to offer personalized support and connections where possible.
Blog Contribution
Every fellow is asked to write at least one blog post for The Eisner Foundation’s blog during their fellowship year. This is a way for fellows to reflect on their work, share what they are learning, and contribute to the broader knowledge base in the intergenerational field.
The Eisner Prize Network
Being named an Eisner Prize Fellow also connects you to a growing network of past and present fellows, grantee partners, and leaders in the intergenerational space. This network is part of what the fellowship calls the prestige of the Eisner Prize, and for many fellows it has lasting value beyond the funding itself.
Application Process and Timeline for Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026
Here is what you need to know about the application process for the 2026-27 cycle:
Application Window
The application opened on April 13, 2026, and the deadline to submit is May 10, 2026. This is a relatively narrow window of about four weeks, so if you are reading this and you plan to apply, you should start working on your materials right away.
Showcase and Info Session
The Eisner Foundation holds an annual Showcase and Info Session where current fellows present their work and potential applicants can learn more about the fellowship. For the 2026-27 cycle, this session was held ahead of the application window opening. Recordings of past sessions have been made available on the foundation’s website, and reviewing these can give you a very strong sense of what the fellowship is about and what kinds of projects succeed.
Review and Notification
After the application deadline closes on May 10, 2026, the Eisner Foundation will review all submissions. Based on past cycles, fellows can expect to be notified of the outcome in mid-June. If selected, the fellowship begins in July 2026 and runs through June 2027.
What to Include in Your Application
The application asks you to share your background, your proposed project, and your vision for how the fellowship will support your work. You are not required to submit an itemized budget at the time of application, but your project scope should make clear that your goals are achievable within a year and within the $40,000 project budget.
There are two optional ways to include supplementary materials with your application. First, there is a text box where you can add anything that did not fit elsewhere in the form, including links to previous work or other relevant experience. Second, there is a file upload option where you can share relevant work samples, letters of support, or recommendation letters. Supplementary materials are entirely optional but are encouraged if they genuinely strengthen your application.
How to Apply for the Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026
Applying for the Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026 is done entirely through the official Eisner Foundation website. There is no mailed paper application, no third-party portal, and no fee to apply. The entire process is free and online.
To start your application, you can visit the official application page directly by clicking on the Eisner Prize Fellowship official application page. This is where you will find the live application form as well as additional guidance from the foundation on what they are looking for.
Before you start filling out the form, it is worth spending some time on the foundation’s website to review past fellows and their projects. Reading about what previous cohorts have done gives you a clear picture of the kinds of projects that resonate with the foundation’s mission and values. It can also spark ideas if you are still in the early stages of developing your proposal.
Tips for a Strong Eisner Prize Fellowship Application
If you are serious about applying for the Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026, here are some practical tips to help you put together the most competitive application possible.
Lead with a Fresh Idea
The single most important thing you can do is make sure your project proposal is genuinely new. The foundation has been very consistent in saying that they fund innovation, not continuation. If your proposal sounds like it is just an extension of something already happening, you will struggle to stand out. Think carefully about what is actually new about what you are proposing and make that newness explicit in your application.
Show Real Intergenerational Connection
Projects that bring different generations into active, direct connection during the fellowship year tend to be the most successful. If your project is primarily research or planning-focused, think about whether you can design it in a way that includes some direct programming or community engagement in year one. The foundation wants to see generations actually connecting, not just the groundwork for future connection being laid.
Be Realistic About Scope
You have one year and $40,000 for your project. The foundation is looking for proposals with clear, achievable goals within those limits. Overly ambitious proposals that cannot realistically be completed on this timeline and budget will raise questions about your planning. Focus on what you can genuinely accomplish, and make the case that what you can accomplish in that timeframe is meaningful and impactful.
Tell Your Story
The fellowship is invested in you as a person, not just your project. Use your application to share who you are, what drives your passion for intergenerational work, and why you are the right person to execute this particular project. Personal connection and authentic voice matter in fellowship applications, especially for programs like this one that are looking to build a community of leaders.
Use Optional Supplementary Materials Strategically
If you have previous work, media coverage, letters of support, or other materials that genuinely strengthen your application, include them. But do not pad your application with materials that do not add anything. Reviewers appreciate focused, well-curated supplementary materials over large, unfocused packages.
Why Is the Eisner Prize Fellowship Worth Applying For?
There are thousands of fellowship and grant programs operating in the United States at any given time, and it is fair to ask what makes the Eisner Prize Fellowship stand out. Here are a few reasons why this program is especially worth your attention.
First, the funding is substantial and flexible. $50,000 is a meaningful amount of money, and the way it is split between a personal stipend and project funding is thoughtful. You get real financial support both as a person and as a project leader, which is not always the case with fellowship programs.
Second, the focus area is genuinely underserved. Intergenerational connection is not a topic that dominates the philanthropic landscape the way that education reform, climate change, or healthcare do. That means there is less competition for dollars in this space, and it also means that innovative work here can have an outsized impact. Communities that are deeply connected across generations are more resilient, more empathetic, and healthier by almost every measure.
Third, the fellowship experience itself is rich. The combination of cohort learning, individual mentorship, and connection to the broader Eisner Prize network means you are not just getting money but getting a full year of professional development, peer support, and visibility in the field.
Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, the Eisner Foundation has a track record. This is not a new program trying to figure out what it is. It is entering its fourth year of fellowship cohorts, and the past fellows have gone on to do remarkable things. Being named an Eisner Prize Fellow carries real recognition and credibility in the intergenerational and nonprofit sectors.
Final Thoughts: Should You Apply for the Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026?
If you are working somewhere at the intersection of generations in the United States, whether that is in aging services, youth development, education, community health, technology, peacebuilding, or any other field, and if you have a fresh idea for how to bring different age groups together in a meaningful way, then yes, you should absolutely apply for the Eisner Prize Fellowship 2026.
The deadline is May 10, 2026, which means you have a limited amount of time to put your application together. But the process is straightforward, the funding is substantial, and the opportunity to join a community of like-minded innovators doing some of the most creative intergenerational work in the country is genuinely rare.
Do not let the short application window discourage you. Start today, get clear on your project idea, and make your case for why your vision deserves to be funded. The Eisner Foundation has shown with each passing cohort that they are looking for a wide range of voices and approaches. If your work is genuine, your idea is fresh, and your commitment to intergenerational connection is real, you have a very real shot at becoming one of the next Eisner Prize Fellows.
To learn more and submit your application, visit the Eisner Prize Fellowship official application page on the Eisner Foundation website. The application is free, it is open right now, and the deadline is May 10, 2026.
Good luck. The intergenerational field needs more people like you in it.
