PEN America seeks motivated fellows to join the 2026–2027 Campus Free Expression Advocates Fellowship program. This fellowship is offered to undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about academic freedom, higher education, and free expression. The program will run from Friday, September 25, 2026, to Friday, April 30, 2027, with a winter break from Monday, December 14, 2026, to Friday, January 1, 2027.
This year-long fellowship empowers students to become informed advocates for free expression and academic freedom on their campuses and beyond. Fellows will work with PEN America staff to explore urgent free expression issues facing higher education, develop advocacy skills they can apply in their own campus contexts, and contribute to a shared cohort campaign that connects student leaders across campuses.
Fellows will participate in biweekly mentorship calls and biweekly cohort calls with PEN America staff and the full fellowship cohort. These meetings will introduce fellows to PEN America’s free expression principles, resources, and approach to higher education advocacy, while supporting fellows as they develop a shared advocacy campaign, connect that campaign to their own campus and state contexts, and prepare to implement related activities during the spring semester.
Group Advocacy Campaign and Campus Projects
Fellows will work together to develop a shared advocacy campaign focused on free expression and academic freedom in higher education. With guidance from PEN America staff, the cohort will identify a common theme, audience, goals, and strategy, while each fellow will connect the campaign to their own campus, state, or local context.
During the fall semester, each fellow will write an op-ed or similar public-facing piece related to the shared campaign, with editorial feedback from PEN America staff, and submit it for publication in campus, local, or other relevant media outlets. By the end of the semester, the cohort will also submit one shared campaign proposal outlining the campus-based activities each fellow plans to carry out in the spring, how those activities support the broader campaign, and how they will incorporate PEN America resources.
The spring semester will focus on implementation. Fellows will carry out approved campus-based activities in support of the shared campaign, such as panels, teach-ins, peer dialogue programs, campus coalition meetings, and awareness campaigns. Fellows will track participation and key outcomes, gather supporting documentation and visual collateral, and reflect on what their work reveals about free expression and academic freedom on their campuses.
This structure is designed to give fellows both a collaborative cross-campus experience and meaningful ownership over advocacy work in their own communities.
Fellowship Logistics
This fellowship will primarily operate remotely. Fellows will participate in regular virtual mentorship calls with PEN America staff and cohort calls with PEN America staff and the full fellowship cohort, generally alternating on a biweekly basis and scheduled between the hours of 9am–3pm PT/12pm–6pm ET. Fellows should expect to spend approximately 3–5 hours per week on fellowship meetings, writing, campaign planning, and campus-based project work, with some variation around major deadlines and spring implementation activities. PEN America may also offer additional opportunities for fellows to connect with PEN America staff, outside speakers, alumni fellows, or one another over the course of the program.
Compensation and Advocacy Fund
Fellows will receive $3,000 total compensation, disbursed in three equal payments of $1,000 in October 2026, February 2027, and April 2027.
In addition to fellow compensation, the cohort will have access to a shared advocacy fund to support work connected to the fellowship campaign. Fellows will help shape recommendations for how these funds are used in coordination with PEN America staff. The fund may support individual campus activities, shared campaign materials, online programming, student outreach, campus events, or group activities, including possible in-person programming if funding allows.
Responsibilities
- Attend a mandatory virtual orientation on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 1–2 PM ET / 10–11 AM PT.
- Participate in training on PEN America’s free expression principles, resources, and approach to academic freedom and free expression in higher education
- Attend biweekly mentorship calls with PEN America staff throughout both semesters
- Attend biweekly cohort calls with PEN America staff and the full fellowship cohort throughout both semesters
- Collaborate with the fellowship cohort to develop a shared advocacy campaign focused on free expression and academic freedom in higher education
- By November 1, 2026, write an op-ed or similar public-facing piece during the fall semester connecting the shared campaign to their campus, state, or local context, with feedback from PEN America staff
- By November 29, 2026, submit the op-ed or public-facing piece for publication in campus, local, or other relevant media outlets
- Contribute to a shared campaign proposal by the end of the fall semester, outlining planned campus-based activities for the spring semester and how those activities will support the broader campaign
- Implement approved campus-based activities in Spring 2027, such as panels, workshops, climate surveys, teach-ins, peer dialogue programs, coalition meetings, media campaigns, student outreach, or campus-facing resources
- Track key deliverables, participation metrics, and supporting documentation, especially visual collateral
- Submit periodic reflections on their fellowship experience and campaign implementation
- Work with PEN America staff and the fellowship cohort to determine how shared advocacy funds may best support campus-based activities and/or shared campaign work
Qualifications
- Enrollment in undergraduate or graduate studies at a U.S. college or university during the 2026–2027 academic year
- Demonstrated interest in free expression, academic freedom, higher education policy, and/or student advocacy
- Prior experience organizing events, working with student groups, or conducting campus research is a plus but not required. All students regardless of prior experience are encouraged to apply
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, organizational and project management skills, and attention to detail
- Success in working creatively and collaboratively, as well as ability to function independently
- Must be able to provide valid proof of U.S. work authorization
- Commitment to PEN America’s mission, centered on the celebration and defense of free expression for all. Willingness to defend the right to engage in speech that may be offensive and discomfiting and that reflects a wide range of political opinions and ideologies. PEN America promotes open and respectful dialogue across differences, and we work to allow a diversity of perspectives to flourish.
- Commitment to PEN America’s advocacy and support for writers, artists and their allies around the world, without regard to the ideology or actions of their country’s government
To Apply: Please submit a complete application (including a cover letter, resume, and unedited writing sample) to [email protected] by July 29, 2026. In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in this fellowship and why advocating for academic freedom and free expression on campus matters to you. In the subject line of your email, please include your full name followed by “Campus Advocates Fellowship” (e.g., Full Name – Campus Free Expression Advocates Fellowship). Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and is committed to having a workforce that reflects the population that it serves at all levels within the organization.
No phone calls, please.
ABOUT PEN AMERICA:
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.