Fellowship2014BFI (1) - International Living Future Institute

 ANNOUNCING:
THE BUCKMINSTER FULLER INSTITUTE
2014 PROGRAM FELLOWSHIP
The Buckminster Fuller Institute Challenge Program
Each year, The Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI) invites scientists, students, designers, architects,
activists, entrepreneurs, artists and planners from all over the world to submit their solutions for
addressing humanity’s most pressing problems.
Named "Socially-Responsible Design's Highest Award", the Fuller Challenge attracts bold, visionary
initiatives focused on critically important, well-defined social and environmental needs. Winning solutions
are regionally specific yet globally applicable and present truly comprehensive, anticipatory, integrated
approaches to solving complex problems. A $100,000 prize is awarded to support the development and
implementation of one outstanding strategy.
The Fellowship
THE BFI Program Fellowship is designed to attract engaged early career practitioners and graduate
students from diverse backgrounds and sectors. The Fellowship is constructed as an interdisciplinary
collaborative, and participants will work closely with BFI staff, advisors and entrants to the Fuller
Challenge.
This highly competitive Fellowship provides the opportunity for hands-on experience assessing projects
and engaging with the selection process of the Fuller Challenge award cycle. Fellows will perform
independent research, participate in a weekly workshop component with senior review team members,
and aid in a range of other Challenge-related tasks, including interviews, material development and
public events.
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The Fellowship Program has a dual purpose:
To enhance the rigorous discourse in the Fuller Challenge review process;
To provide the next generation of thought leaders an in-depth experience evaluating whole system design
solutions.
What You Gain:
Training and resources to exercise and apply critical thinking and decision-making skills using the Fuller
Challenge entries as context for hands-on pedagogical experience;
A rare opportunity to contextualize and un-pack systemic problems and innovative solutions;
A unique forum for dialog, discussion and debate interactivity that leads to a more meaningful
understanding of the content;
A method to inform academic and professional writing and activities;
The opportunity to work intimately with members of BFI’s network through Program components and
public events.
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181 N 11 Street | Suite 402 | Brooklyn NY 11211 | t 718 290 9280 | f 718 228 7863 Qualifications
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Recently or currently enrolled in a graduate program or have a minimum of 2-3 years working experience
in sustainability, social entrepreneurship, design, public health, policy, food systems, international
development or any other program that might have a role in shaping social and environmental behavior
Have a deep interest in whole-systems design theory and practice
English fluency (written and spoken)
Availability to commit to 10-15 hours workload per week from late-April 2014 to early-September 2014,
including semi-finalist Skype interviews in August 2014 and an in-person deliberation, date tbd, in
September 2014. (There will be two offline breaks, one each in July and August)
Availability to be present in the Buckminster Fuller Institute’s Brooklyn office for Wednesday review
sessions on the following dates: April 30; May 7, 14, 21, 28; June 4, 11, 18, 25; July 9
Timeline
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Accepting resumes: until February 14, 2014 (position open until filled, early application encouraged)
Candidate selection: by March 1, 2014
Fellowship dates: late-April to early-September 2014
To Apply
Please send resume, cover letter and an additional essay with answers to the questions below to
[email protected]. The cover letter should tell us why you are interested in working with the Buckminster
Fuller Institute and your availability between April and September 2014.
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In no more than one page, please address the following:
What academic or professional experiences have you had in socially and economically sustainable
systems, and/or what has led you to your interest in whole systems thinking?
Extrapolate on your skills and what you might bring to the review team.
This is a paid fellowship—BFI will offer an honorary stipend in the range of one to two thousand dollars
after an evaluation has been conducted at the end of the fellowship and is contingent on satisfactory
completion of the required scope of work.
About The Fuller Challenge
Buckminster Fuller led a prolific life of research, invention, writing and teaching. He developed a comprehensive systems approach
to understanding complex global problems. By rigorously adhering to his unique set of “design science” principles, Fuller’s work
embodies a deeply attuned ecological aesthetic. Fuller conceived and prototyped new strategies intended to enable all of humanity
to live lives characterized by freedom, comfort and dignity without negatively impacting the earth’s ecosystems or regenerative
ability. He emphasized that the technology and knowhow already exist to successfully surmount our global challenges and
advocated “doing more with less” by increasing the overall performance of every resource invested in a system.
Fuller issued an urgent call for a creative revolution to “make the world work for all of humanity, in the shortest possible time,
through spontaneous cooperation, without ecological offense or the disadvantage of anyone.” Answering this call is what the Fuller
Challenge is all about.
For more information on BFI and the Fuller Challenge visit bfi.org
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181 N 11 Street | Suite 402 | Brooklyn NY 11211 | t 718 290 9280 | f 718 228 7863