Greater Delaware Valley Policy Fellowship – Apply by Sep 7

Posted by Social Innovations Journal on August 19, 2025

The Greater Delaware Valley Policy Fellowship is a prestigious, practice-based learning opportunity designed for senior leaders committed to shaping public policy in the Greater Delaware Valley. Fellows engage in immersive experiences at the intersection of policy, research, and community. Fellows engage with government agencies, think tanks, advocacy organizations, and academic institutions to create needed policy change.

Fellowship Overview:

he Greater Delaware Valley POLICY Fellowship is designed for those who have a deep interest, beyond their social impact work, to influence policy and/or systems at the intersection of government, private, and not-for-profit sectors. The fellowship is designed for leaders to strengthen and develop their skills to formulate, shape, influence public policy and understand policy movements.  Fellows will explore the social, economic, legal, ethical, and political environments and examine social change movements.  Leaders will (a) analyze the structural, social, and policy issues that have galvanized advocacy efforts, (b) explore the roles that the government, private sector, and consumers and advocacy groups play in setting policy agendas, and (c) examine the intended and unintended effects of these policies.

Objectives:

1. Leaders will be able to research current and historical implications of policy to the status of social sector systems.
2. Leaders will be able to analyze the broader structural, social, and policy issues and movements that have galvanized efforts to restrain cost growth, extend coverage, and assure safe, high-quality care.
3. Leaders will be able to explore the roles that government, the private sector, and consumers and grassroots and advocacy groups play in setting policy agendas.
4. Leaders will be able to develop policy statements that consider social, economic, legal, ethical, and political dimensions.
5. Leaders will be able to debate policy issues.
6. Leaders will be able to write a policy paper and policy statement.

Goals:

1. Understanding how change happens and when to tackle a systems or policy issue.
2. Exploring Social Sector policy challenges and opportunities.
3. Understanding  the history of the issue to frame a policy or systems issue.
4. Understanding how to frame the policy or system issue within a Social Impact argument.
5. Understanding how to frame the policy or system issue within an Economic argument.
6. Understanding how to write a policy brief incorporating research, data, projected social impact outcomes and projected economic outcomes.
7. Understanding the instruments, tools, and methods to influence policy or systems.
8. Understanding the process of creating a power map including the identification of the “cast of characters” and motivation factors.
9. Understanding how to develop a Tactical Plan and its implementation.
10. Understanding the role of Not for Profits as Social Capital Assets in Policy and Systems Change.
11. Understanding process to engage consumer stakeholders; build coalitions; and establish trade groups to advance public policy agenda and strategy.
12. Understand how to write testimony and how to testify.
13. Understanding the process for drafting legislative proposals (introducing/referring proposed legislation to committees, legislative committees/subcommittees, House and Senate floor action, conference committee action, presidential action, federal budget) toward the development of legislation.

Twenty successful applicants and teams will receive a stipend of $2,500.00 USD. Stipends will be paid at the conclusion of the fellowship, provided that at least one representative of the team attended all sessions and successfully completed the fellowship deliverables.

Learn more and apply by September 7.