About ↓

Watch the recording of the information session below to learn more about the 2024-25 Forefront Fellowship Lifelong.

We invite you to join a cohort that imagines a New York City where older adults can thrive with support and dignity.

In Phase I, Fellows will partner with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development to develop recommendations that support aging in place at HPD-funded developments. 

In Phase II, Fellows will work in independent, interdisciplinary teams to explore how New York City can foster spaces of multigenerational care and wellness for all, particularly for older adults.

How can we reimagine housing for older adults that facilitates stronger communities? How can we creatively design and program spaces to provide holistic care and support the agency of older adults? 

Structure

Phase I: City Agency Partnership

Fellows will partner with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to develop recommendations that support aging in place at HPD-funded developments. They will also investigate design and programming best practices that support aging in place citywide. 

Over three months, Fellows will gather every two weeks for daylong workshops to conduct site visits across the five boroughs; interview policymakers, developers, service providers and care workers; engage directly with older adults; and analyze research findings.

• Fellows will produce case studies that synthesize best practices, areas for improvement and qualitative data.
• Fellows will develop design and programming recommendations for HPD, other city agencies and nongovernmental partners that advance principles for successful aging in place.

Phase II: Independent Team Projects

Fellows will transition to working in independent, interdisciplinary teams to explore how New York City can foster spaces of multigenerational care and wellness for all, particularly for older adults. Teams explore local solutions to systemic issues, producing culminating projects that envision a better city for New Yorkers as we age.

Over six months, teams will conduct community-engaged research and interview stakeholders, lead an evening event and develop creative, change-making projects.

• Fellows will develop original projects ranging from educational exhibits to place-based pilot programs to creative policy briefs. Fellows are encouraged to partner with a community-based organization for their project.
• Teams will showcase their projects at a capstone event, an evening celebration for teams to present their work and galvanize continued partnership from stakeholders and invited guests.

Who Should Apply

Interests & Experience

Forefront Fellows are architects, landscape architects, advocates, planners, engineers, developers, public officials, technologists, data scientists, lawyers, scholars and journalists. Fellows are typically mid-career professionals with five to ten years of working experience.

This year, we welcome candidates with an interest in older adult advocacy, public health and community engagement. We particularly encourage candidates with expertise in housing design and programming, caregiving, health promotion, policy, community planning, qualitative research or data analysis. We also highly encourage multilingual candidates to apply, particularly those with fluency in Spanish, Chinese and Russian.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Forefront seeks to promote the achievements of traditionally underrepresented groups in planning and design. Women and gender-expansive people, people of color, LGBTQIA2S+ people, people with disabilities, and professionals with experience in diverse community settings are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional Criteria

Fellows must live or work in the five boroughs of New York City for the duration of the Fellowship to be considered.

FAQs

Q: Why should I apply for the Forefront Fellowship?

A: As a Forefront Fellow, you’ll develop meaningful, creative projects — both in partnership with city agencies and in independent teams — that address a challenging equity-based problem facing the city. Forefront focuses on building community and connection among the cohort that lasts beyond the Fellowship. It’s also an opportunity to cultivate your leadership skills and network. As a member of the Urban Design Forum, you’ll become part of a network of over 1,100+ architects, planners, designers, policymakers, and more.

Q: Who should apply?

A: You! We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and disciplines who are excited about imagining a New York City where older adults can thrive with support and dignity. Most of our Fellows have 5-10 years of work experience and demonstrated interest in or work in this year’s theme.

Q: Do I need to be NYC-based to apply to this program?

A: To be eligible, you must live or work in NYC.

Q: Are all of the program dates in-person or virtual?

A: All program dates are in-person.

Q: What is the time commitment?

A: Forefront is a time-intensive, 10-month experiential learning program that relies on the active participation of every member of the cohort. In addition to the program dates listed on the application, Fellows are expected to contribute 4-8 hours a week. Some weeks may be much lighter, while some weeks (particularly near November/December and May/June) may be more time-intensive.

Q: What is your attendance policy?

A: Due to the experiential, accumulative nature of the program, attendance is expected at all sessions. Fellows may miss only four dates for successful completion of the program, and no more than two dates during each phase.

Q: How are applications reviewed?

A: Every year, we convene a panel of Forefront alumni & city partners (this year: NYC Housing Preservation and Development) to review applications and select each cohort.

Q: When will I know if I’ve been selected for the Fellowship?

A: All applicants will be notified by August 15, 2024.

Q: Should I have a project in mind when applying that I should include in my statement of interest? What other information should I share in my statement of interest?

A: No need to describe a specific project idea, as you’ll develop that with your team! The statement should demonstrate your interest in participating in the Forefront Fellowship, your recent work/research that shows your commitment to building equitable cities, and your interest in advocating for older adults in the built environment.

Q: What are the Phase I activities, like site visits and interviews?

A: After orientation, you will participate in workshops, lead research activities like site visits and interviews, and develop the Phase I report. 

Fellows typically conduct 15 site visits and 5-15 interviews, engaging 40-70 stakeholders throughout the process. If you have a suggestion for a site that the Fellows should explore, please email Cat Betances at catherine@urbandesignforum.org.

Q: In Phase II, how are project teams formed?

A: In Phase II, you will form your own teams of 5-7 Fellows during the January retreat.

Q: Is there a cost to the fellowship?

A: We ask all accepted Forefront Fellows to join the Urban Design Forum community as dues-paying members. Member dues for emerging practitioners are $175/year, with a pay-what-you-can option available when our standard tier is not affordable. No participant will be turned away for lack of funds. 

We are committed to ensuring Forefront is accessible to all accepted Fellows. We will work with Fellows to accommodate individual accessibility requirements, technology needs, unique health and safety concerns, or other circumstances.

To support their full participation in the Forefront program, we are pleased to provide stipends for accepted Fellows with caretaking responsibilities. We offer two to five $100-300 stipends to offset the cost of caregiving for a dependent. 

In Phase II of the program, each project team receives $2,000 in unrestricted project funding in Phase II. Fellows are not paid individually for their participation.

Q: I don’t think I can commit to the full Forefront Fellowship this year. What are other ways to participate?

A: Yes! We’re always excited to discuss site visits, interviews/conversations, or other ways to get involved. Feel free to reach out to Cat Betances to connect further at catherine@urbandesignforum.org.

Q: Where can I learn more about Astrid, Rajesh, and Emma’s Phase II team projects?

A: I’m so glad you asked! 😀

• Astrid Mayak’s Phase II team project, Commercial Organics
• Rajesh Sankat’s Phase II team project, Teens’ Library of the Future
• Emma Silverblatt’s Phase II team project, Systemic Radical Change