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Civic Data Fellowship


We've finished recruiting for our 2025 cohort.  Check back for details about 2026!

About the Fellowship


Our Civic Data Fellowship is a data-focused, accelerated program within our Civic Digital Lab.  

The Civic Data Fellowship develops aspiring and/or entry-level technologists’ confidence, technical competence, and collaboration through experiential learning and mentorship.  Over 12 weeks, Fellows apply their skills to explore public data around Central Texas issue areas, culminating in a project and talk to relevant advocates and policy-makers from local civic and social organizations. 

Key Dates in 2025


  • June to July: Recruiting
    • June 26: In-person info session with Out in Tech Austin
    • July 16: Virtual info session
      • Google Meet doesn’t allow nonprofits to record sessions, but here are the slides and Q&A.
      • Fridays: Sign up for office hours to discuss the Fellowship’s process and structure.
  • August 18 to November 7: Fellowship
  • November 12: Demo Day - Eventbrite to-come 

Looking for 1-4 Fellows


We’re looking for 4 Fellows.  Commitment is ~8 hours a week for 12 weeks:

  • (5-6 hours) Independent work acquiring, analyzing, and presenting data for your project
  • (1-2 hours) Weekly mentorship calls
  • (optional) Monthly Data Community of Practice meeting

What’s in it for Fellows:

  • Technical competence in a professional environment
    • Working with common platforms and concepts (data and BI tools, OOP, conditionals, etc)
    • Technical communication
    • Self management 
  • Credibility
    • The title of “Fellow” for your LinkedIn and resume
    • A portfolio-ready project showing real-world impact
    • A recommendation on LinkedIn
    • A reference for a job background check

Sponsor a Fellow


We launched this program in 2024.  This year, we want to offer our Fellows stipends ($1,200 each, contingent on funding) to ensure equitable access to professional development.  If we can’t raise the full target amount, whatever we do raise will be used towards the stipend and program management.  You can donate here.

Join the Interest List


Fill in this interest form for email alerts and other key information.

Past Work


You can see our 2024 Fellows’ work on our Open Austin Data Research Hub.