The Frederick P. Rose Architectural Fellowship

Rose Fellows earn a modest stipend and receive health insurance and other benefits. Fellows are provided with many networking and learning opportunities with other fellows, with staff and affiliates of Enterprise, and with leaders and residents in their host communities.

The Rose Fellowship network is a vital part of the Fellowship, providing a national support system of colleagues who share a passion for public interest architecture and community development. Through participation in the annual Enterprise Network Conference and other gatherings, the Fellows develop lifetime relationships. In recent years, Fellows have traveled as a group to the Association for Community Design Conferences, and Structures for Inclusion Conferences, and have engaged in Rose Fellow retreats and orientation in New Mexico, New York, and Utah. Monthly conference calls and Web-Ex meetings combined with face-to-face gatherings create the opportunity for fellows to share their experience and learn from their peers.

As part of the fellowship’s commitment to creating lifelong leaders, fellows are encouraged to continue their professional development through participation in the Intern Development Program (IDP) and professional licensure. Fellows also receive training in green building, financing, mediation, negotiation and listening skills. Many Fellows actively participate in local and national networks as consultants, guest speakers, or board members.

For new fellowships starting in 2007, the annual stipend paid to fellows in most communities is $42,000, an amount that will remain the same for the three years of the fellowship. High cost area may merit a salary adjustment. Adjustments, if any, are described in the application kit for a specific fellowship.

Fellow Responsibilities

Each Rose Fellow is expected to devote his or her full attention to the Fellowship, working the same hours and on the same vacation and holiday schedule as other employees of their sponsoring organization. A Fellow may not have any other paid employment or independent consulting work, unless prior written permission is given by the director of the Fellowship and an authorized representative of the partner organization.

Fellow Eligibility

At a minimum, applicants must possess a professional degree in architecture from an accredited college or university, or expect to graduate from an accredited school of architecture before the Fellowship begins. A professional graduate degree in architecture is preferred. The expected minimum grade point average is “B” or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate and graduate work.

Preference will be given to candidates who have approximately three years professional experience, have completed their IDP requirements, and can work independently within a non-profit environment. However, recent graduates will also be considered, as will candidates who have not yet completed their IDP requirements.

Fellows must have a Social Security number or a United States Tax Identification number. Fellows must make a full-time commitment of three years to the Fellowship and to the host organization. Individuals currently employed by their partner organization are not eligible to apply.

Applicants with diverse educational, professional, and personal backgrounds, and individuals from disadvantaged communities, as well as minorities are encouraged to apply.

Criteria for Proposed Fellows:

• Evidence that Fellow’s work will advance the work of the host organization
• Ability to work independently in a non-profit setting and an ability to complete IDP requirements within the Fellowship period (if not already complete);
• Quality of undergraduate and graduate study and studio work;
• Previous professional experience and employment;
• The strength of letters of recommendation and design critiques from people competent to judge the applicant’s probable success;
• Evidence of extracurricular activities, community involvement, professional affiliations, etc.;
• Quality and appropriateness of work samples and ability of architect; and
• Evidence of long-term commitment by the architect to community development and disadvantaged communities.

Katie Swenson, Director
The Frederick P. Rose Architectural Fellowship
kswenson@enterprisecommunity.org