HAND Fellows

IAAB Lend a HAND Fellowship

* Sponsored by the HAND Foundation

July 3-10, 2013

Whittier College, Los Angeles, CA

The IAAB Lend a HAND Fellowship program is a joint program created by The HAND Foundation and Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB).  Based on the success of IAAB’s fellowship program and the HAND Foundation’s awards program, both organizations have joined forces to recognize and cultivate a new generation of young Central Asian (Persian-speaking Afghan, Tajik, Uzbek) and Iranian American leaders. 

This program will take place at IAAB’s Summer Leadership Institute (July 3-10, 2013, Whittier College, Los Angeles).  University and Junior Fellows will receive full tuition to attend IAAB’s Summer Leadership Institute, the fellows will receive leadership training and guidance to develop their own programs, and they will receive financial support to implement their programs throughout the year.

The IAAB Lend a HAND Fellowship program, inspires, engages, and connects emerging leaders with a unique public service opportunity. Through IAAB Lend a HAND, Central Asian and Iranian American students will have the ability to lead their local communities by developing innovative ideas and implementing public service initiatives.

Why Apply

Fellows will receive:

• In-depth training at IAAB’s Summer Leadership Institute. HAND Foundation will cover the costs of the program tuition.
• Stipend to cover the costs of the project. Applicants may apply for a specific amount not to exceed $1000.
• Training and guidance to support the planning and implementation of the project.
• Opportunities to participate in special events for current Fellows and Alumni.
• Mentorship from experts within a specific field of interest.
• Recognition, which will include a featured article within various Iranian publications describing the fellow’s achievements.

Develop Your Own Program

As a part of this program,  participants will receive the necessary training and tools to develop and implement unique programs serving the needs of their local communities. Fellows will develop and implement programming in their local communities that focus on one of the following areas:

• Cultural celebrations and holidays
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Civic Participation

Who Should Apply

The IAAB Lend a HAND Fellowship program honors young leaders who have achieved extraordinaryacts of service. Such acts may include community service and social entrepreneurship projects and local leadership and educational projects. Preference will be given to leaders who have demonstratedteamwork and collaboration, had to overcome adversity in order to advance their project, and whose project works toward building tolerance and understanding within their local community. 

The fellowship program is open to all young Central Asian and Iranian Americans between the ages of 10-22 years old who are already proven leaders within their communities. 

The final deadline is May 1st, but fellows will be accepted on a rolling basis. Only a few fellowships will be awarded to highly qualified candidates.

The IAAB Lend a HAND Fellowship program recognizes middle school and high school leaders through its Junior Fellowship program and university students through its HAND Fellowship program. 

University Fellows

This fellowship is open to undergraduate or graduate students of Central Asian (Persian-speaking Afghan, Tajik, Uzbek) or Iranian descent. To learn more, please click here.

Junior Fellows

This fellowship is open to junior high and high school students.  These fellows will attend Camp Javan and Camp Ayandeh, their tutition for the programs will be paid for, and they will receive extra training through the fellowship program. All Junior Fellows must be nominated for this fellowship. To learn more, please click here. 

How to Apply

In order to be considered for the IAAB Lend a HAND fellowship program, applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, two references, and a project proposal. The project proposal must include:

• A detailed explanation of the project
• The project's goals
• The project's target audience
• The project's timeframe
• The project's budget
• The stipend amount for which the applicant is applying

Social entrepreneurship is a fundamental value of the HAND Foundation and has historically led to successful community-based initiatives. Therefore, preference will be given to project proposals that incorporate self-sustaining funding models and/or diverse fundraising strategies. 

Email all documents to fellowships@iranianalliances.org.  Finalists will be asked to submit a 1-3 minute video and a written application as a part of the selection process. 

All questions about the IAAB Lend a HAND Fellowship Program may be sent to fellowships@iranianalliances.org. 

Past HAND and IAAB Fellows include:

• An 11 year old Iranian American who made 800 calls for Obama’s 2008 Campaign
• Two teenage Youth Commissioners in Los Gatos, CA
• A Teen involved in San Jose’s Downtown Beautification Project
• A young photographer who led a documentary photography project focusing on the experiences of Iranian Canadians and was featured in the New York Times 
• A graduate student who is building the first online forum for Iranian musicians in diaspora