DETROIT- Detroit Revitalization Fellows, a program of Wayne State University, is accepting applications for its 2015-17 cohort through Feb. 20.

Detroit Revitalization Fellows matches talented mid-career leaders with civic, community and economic development organizations working at the forefront of Detroit's revitalization efforts. The program strengthens the city's talent pool while building the capacity of key organizations driving progress in the city. Fellows serve full time for two years in salaried positions while engaging in rigorous leadership development, which includes monthly workshops, study trips and "Detroit Dialogues" with community leaders around key issues. 

Approximately 20 fellows will be selected from a competitive national pool. Fellows come from across the United States, and the program is especially interested in receiving applications from Detroiters already living in the city and those who have left the region and are ready to bring their talent back home. Forty-eight fellowships have been awarded over two cohorts since the program began in 2011. Around 1,000 professionals applied for the 2011-13 and 2013-15 fellowships. Fellows typically possess a graduate degree plus five to 15 years of work experience.

Detroit Revitalization Fellows have played an active role in numerous projects driving progress in Detroit, including REVOLVE Detroit (activating empty storefronts), Motor City Mapping ("blexting" and cataloging vacant properties), the Detroit Lighting Authority and Source Detroit (promoting local purchasing). The 2015-17 employers represent a range of fields, including city government, community and economic development, transportation, environment, youth development, and arts and culture.

"Being a Detroit Revitalization Fellow is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to impact the future of our city," says Graig Donnelly, director of Detroit Revitalization Fellows. "These are exciting positions for emerging leaders who want to drive progress in creative and collaborative ways. Fellows will spend their time digging deep into neighborhoods and projects, making meaningful connections with one another and their communities."

For more information or to apply, visit detroitfellows.wayne.edu.

Detroit Revitalization Fellows are talented mid-career leaders who are stimulating progress within Detroit's civic, community and economic development landscape. This select group of doers engages in a rigorous two-year leadership development program while serving full time at organizations working to further key programs and projects across Detroit. Detroit Revitalization Fellows is a program of Wayne State University's Office of Economic Development and has been generously supported by the Kresge Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Hudson-Webber Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Skillman Foundation, the DTE Energy Foundation, the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, the PricewaterhouseCoopers Charitable Foundation, Rock Ventures and Wayne State University.