Kreisman Graduate Fellows Application

Apply to join an interdisciplinary cohort of scholars building careers in the dynamic field of housing.

The University of Chicago’s Kreisman Initiative for Housing Law and Policy brings together the fields of urban science and law to advance housing scholarship and generate new ideas about cities and housing. The initiative is a partnership of the University of Chicago Law School, UChicago GRAD, the Office of Civic Engagement, and the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation, which brings programs and scholars together to study the fundamental processes that drive, shape, and sustain cities.

The Kreisman Graduate Fellows Program creates a cohort of University of Chicago graduate students from across fields of study who are committed to pursuing careers in housing research or practice. The program runs for one academic year and is open to all Masters and PhD students at the University of Chicago, such as those studying law, policy, social services, social sciences, data science, and business.

During the academic year, Kreisman Fellows take part in a range of professional development activities, including intimate lunch-and-learn meetings with housing experts and skill-building sessions facilitated by UChicago GRAD. Fellows also receive a stipend ($4000) to support their professional development in the form of an internship or research project of their own design in the Spring or Summer quarters.

Selected Fellows are required to participate in the following activities during the 2022-2023 Academic Year:

Fellowship Orientation in October 2023 (90 minute session)
Lunch & learn sessions every other month (3 total; 90 minutes each)
Professional development sessions every other month (3 total; 90 minutes each)
An independent internship or research project in the housing field, including producing end-of-work synthesis to augment their professional portfolio (over Spring or Summer quarters)

Ideal candidates will have:

A demonstrated commitment to housing scholarship and practice
Previous work experience in a housing-focused role, such as law, policy, advocacy, philanthropy, real estate, social impact, or activism
An orientation to multi-disciplinary scholarship and information-sharing
Ability to work with data and to conduct quantitative analysis preferred
Interest in applying technological innovations to address urban challenges a plus
Must be enrolled in a University of Chicago graduate program pursuing a Master’s Degree, JD or PhD

The Fellowship is open to graduate and PhD students in any University of Chicago graduate program. Finalists will be interviewed in mid October.

Please note that fellowships are a form of financial aid and may impact recipients’ overall aid eligibility. Please speak to your School or Department’s financial aid officer to learn more.

Meet our current fellows.

The application period for fall 2023-2024 is now open.

2023-2024 Kreisman Graduate Fellows Program Application

Name

LinkedIn URL

School/Degree School/Degree

Year in program

Expected graduation date

Hometown

In one sentence, describe your area of study.

In two to three sentences, describe the impact you hope to have in housing research or practice.

What do you think is the most pressing housing issue facing the city, nation, or world? (250 words)

Describe the type of internship or research project you'd like to do during the fellowship (i.e. organizations of interest, housing issues to focus on, central research question - 250 words) *Note: this does not need to be a fully fleshed out work experience/research plan, we're looking for a sense of the form and focus of work you have in mind.

Describe your previous experience working in the housing field (i.e. professional roles, internships, research projects - 100 words)

Include a brief bio in the following format (300 words max):

a. Synthesis of your area of study and academic focus at University of Chicago. Please begin opening sentence with your full name and a summary statement of who you are as an academic and a professional. For example, “Brian Wilson is a public policy graduate student focused on youth systems involvement, such as child welfare, juvenile justice, and homelessness.”

b. Relevant professional experience, either prior to or while attending University of Chicago.

c. Non-academic interests, such as volunteer work, hobbies, pursuits beyond your course of study.

Bio Text

Please include one reference, academic or professional, that we may contact (Name, Title, Organization, email, phone):

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Read more about the Kreisman Initiative for Housing Law and Policy.