BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) Fellowship Grant

BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Interfaith America
Amount: More than US $3,000
Last Updated: October 11, 2025

Summary

The BRAID Fellowship, initiated by Interfaith America, addresses rising prejudice in higher education by fostering a national network of undergraduate student leaders. This program empowers students to promote respect and cooperation across diverse backgrounds. Each fellow receives a $1,000 project award and a $2,000 stipend, along with opportunities for specialized training and community engagement. Through this initiative, Interfaith America commits to cultivating a diverse cohort that represents a wide range of religious and ideological perspectives.

Overview

Interfaith America Interfaith America was founded in 2002 based on the idea that religious difference should serve as a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. Since that time, Interfaith America has evolved from a small Chicago-based nonprofit to the nation’s premier interfaith organization. Led by Founder and President Eboo Patel, Interfaith America inspires, equips, and connects leaders and institutions to unlock the potential of America’s religious diversity. Utilizing a research-backed approach, IA works in higher education, health, corporate, bridgebuilding, civic fields. BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) Fellowship About the Fellowship The BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) Fellowship is an Interfaith America (IA) initiative designed in response to increasing prejudice and polarization, both of which have especially impacted institutions of higher education in recent years. In alignment with IA’s commitment to promote religious and civic pluralism as foundational principles for achieving “the common good,” the BRAID Fellowship seeks to develop a national network of undergraduate student leaders who will foster an ethos of respect, relationship building, and cooperation across difference in the U.S. BRAID student fellows are equipped with the vital skills, training, education, and experience they need to become interfaith bridgebuilders on their campuses and in their communities. A defining program feature of the BRAID Fellowship is that student fellows learn in community (through specialized training and education), from community (through interpersonal dialogue and engagement), and with community (through collaborative program development and facilitation). Funding Each student fellow receives a $1,000 campus project award and a $2,000 stipend for participating in the fellowship. Additionally, IA provides student fellows with two all-expenses paid in-person convenings (the opening leadership retreat and the Interfaith Leadership Summit/closing fellowship ceremony). Commitment to Racial Equity Through its grant and fellowship programs, Interfaith America is committed to supporting initiatives that meaningfully engage people with a range of religious, philosophical, or ideological perspectives as well as diverse racial and ethnic identities. As such, a diverse cohort of 20 student fellows representing colleges and universities across the nation will be selected to participate in the BRAID Fellowship. Diversity among religious, spiritual, and secular identities will be prioritized.

Eligibility

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