Encore.org seeks five creative practitioners leveraging the talents of adults, age 50 and older, to improve the care and education of children, ages 0 to 5.

Gen2Gen Innovation Fellows / Early Childhood will receive national attention from the media and VIPs in the field, one-on-one coaching with communication experts who will help fellows tell compelling stories, an on-site session with a professional photographer, and a Q&A profile ready for publishing or sending to the media.

Each fellow will receive a $5,000 award, plus the chance for an additional $5,000 Judges’ Prize.

This fellowship is motivated by four critical trends.

• • Brain science and research have made clear that investing in young children yields the highest societal return on investment.
  • There is a growing body of research about the value of stable, caring relationships in children’s lives and the benefits of intergenerational connection for young children, older adults, families, schools and communities.
  • There is a growing, national shortage of early childhood care and education workers.
  • The number of older adults in the U.S. — including a large subset who seek connection, purpose and a paycheck — is growing rapidly, representing a solution hidden in plain sight.

We hope this fellowship shines a light on great examples of older adults helping our youngest children thrive, helps innovators attract attention and funding, and sparks new programs and investment in early childhood workforce solutions that include people over 50.

Fellowships will last for three months, December 2019 through February 2020. And applications are due on Oct. 17, 2019. You’ll find all the details here.

Apply or nominate an intergenerational innovator in the early childhood space today!

Perk alert! 
If you submit your application by 5pm Pacific Time on Oct. 3, 2019, an Encore.org staff member will give you individualized feedback. You will then have time to revise your application before final submissions are due at 5pm Pacific Time on Oct. 17, 2019.

Got questions? 
Attend one of the information sessions being offered on Sept. 24 and Oct. 10 from 11:30-12:15pm PST. Participants will receive an overview of the fellowship, learn about some of the ways innovators are engaging older adults in early childhood, and get the chance to ask questions. Registration is required — just click the date you’d like to attend to register.

Please help spread the word. 
On Twitter: Are you tapping the talent of adults 50+ to help children age 0-5? APPLY NOW to @EncoreOrg’s Gen2Gen Innovation Fellowship / #EarlyChildhood … or nominate someone you know who is doing innovative #intergenerational work! http://bit.ly/gen2genIFEC #Gen2Gen

On Facebook/LinkedIn: Are you tapping the talent of adults age 50+ to support the care and education of children age 0-5? Encore.org seeks innovators of all ages helping our youngest children and older adults thrive. APPLY NOW to the Gen2Gen Innovation Fellowship / Early Childhood or nominate someone you know. Five fellows will receive a suite of communications tools and support designed to boost visibility, contacts and funding. Each will receive $5,000 plus a chance to win a $5,000 Judges’ Prize. Deadline: Oct. 17, 2019. http://bit.ly/gen2genIFEC #Gen2Gen