PEREZ RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP FAQs
APPLICATION
1. What should the writing sample be about?
The writing sample can be any topic of your choosing but should demonstrate your writing skills and abilities. The applicant should be the sole author of the writing sample.
2. What kinds of recommendations are required for the application?
Applicants will need to provide 2 references and their contact information at the end of the application. No letters of recommendations are needed.
ELIGIBILITY
1. Is there an age limit for this fellowship?
No, there is no age limit for this fellowship. Please review the eligibility criteria on the website.
2. Can students apply if they are enrolled in a program that is not specifically listed?
Applicants enrolled in a program not specifically listed may apply if they are in a related field and have qualitative research experience. The applicant’s research experience will be assessed during the interview process.
3. Are international students eligible?
International applicants must comply with their visa employment regulations and should speak to their Designated School Official for questions. BRG Fellows must be authorized to work in the United States and will receive a 1099 form for tax purposes to be filed with the IRS.
4. Are undergraduate students eligible?
No, undergraduate students are not eligible.
5. How is “underrepresented minority” defined?
Under the eligibility criteria, applicants should self-identify as Latino, Black/African American, Native American, Arabic, or members of other communities that are under-represented in the field of applied research. Bi-cultural and/or multi-ethnic candidates are eligible. The fellowship is looking to engage applicants that have the least opportunity to contribute to the field of applied research and our selection process will reflect that.
6. Can I apply if I am employed by a BRG client?
Unfortunately, employees of BRG clients are not eligible to apply for the fellowship due to a conflict of interest.
7. Can I apply if I have another job?
Candidates must have flexibility in their schedules and must be able to complete fellowship commitments during business hours (M-F, 9am-5pm PST), 10-15 hours per month. Candidates who are employed part-time (less than 28 hours per week), and have flexible schedules may apply. Those with full-time jobs are not eligible.
FELLOWSHIP LOGISTICS
1. How long is the fellowship and when does it start and end?
The fellowship is one year. It begins February 2024 and will conclude in December 2024.
2. Will the fellowship be held virtually or in person?
Fellowship activities will be conducted in-person as much as possible. Fellows will be expected to attend in-person trainings and meetings at the BRG office in downtown Oakland. Project-based work will be conducted virtually and in person.
FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES AND TRAININGS
1. What research methodology and trainings are provided to fellows over the course of the year?
Fellows will participate in trainings and mini-teach sessions throughout the year. Topics may include:
- Key Informant Interviews and Qualitative Research Methods
- Collaborative Analysis and Product Development
- Plain Language Communications
- Data Use and Evaluation Capacity Building
- Systems Change
GENERAL
1. Are fellows allowed to utilize Bright Research Group’s clients’ data for research?
Fellows will be engaged in specific client projects under direction from Bright Research Group staff. BRG projects should not be used to complete research for school or other obligations, and fellows will be asked to sign confidentiality, non-compete, and non-disclosure forms.
2. Will the completed research project be published?
Fellows will have the opportunity to work on a variety of client-facing products, though products may not be published in journals.
ABOUT BRIGHT RESEARCH GROUP
WHO WE ARE
Founded in 2010, Bright Research Group (BRG) is a community-centered design and research firm based in Oakland, CA. Our mission is to help social impact efforts become more responsive to the needs, preferences, behaviors, strengths, and voices of consumers and communities. A women and minority-owned firm and a certified small local emerging business in Alameda County, we hold a specific organizational commitment to advancing social equity for African American and Latin@ communities.
WHAT WE DO
- Elevate the voices, lived experience, preferences, and choices of people of color through participatory action research and qualitative evaluation methods;
- Build system and funder-understanding of and empathy for people of color through consumer research;
- Make the case for consumer and community-driven initiatives, programs and movements through quantitative and qualitative evaluation and advocacy;
- Build the capacity of systems to integrate people with lived experience into their social change efforts and workforces; and
- Build the capacity of people of color- and consumer-led organizations to define their practices and programs, achieve greater organizational sustainability, and become more outcome- driven.
PEREZ RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP