Image courtesy of United WE

United WE has launched the Rural Research Fellowship, a new 12-month program supporting research that helps shape practical, nonpartisan policy solutions for rural communities. Funded by the Patterson Family Foundation, the fellowship focuses on Kansas and western Missouri but aims to provide insights with national relevance.

Fellows will study issues like economic development, workforce participation, family support, caregiving, child care, paid leave, and civic engagement. Research should explore how policies and economic trends uniquely affect rural areas and provide actionable solutions for local leaders and policymakers.

Each fellow receives $20,000 for research, travel, or salary support, joins a collaborative cohort, and can share findings through United WE’s platforms. Fellows also attend an in-person symposium.

The fellowship is open to scholars, nonprofit professionals, and practitioners committed to rural-focused research. Applications for the 2026 program are open now and must be submitted by April 6. Full details are available at https://www.united-we.org/rural-fellowship.