BNLP Fellowship Application Information
Applications for the 2026 BNLP cohort are now open!
Learn more about the application process, qualifications, and compensation below.
Learn from Our Fellows!
Join an upcoming BNLP Information Session to hear directly from past fellows about their experiences and get your questions answered. These two sessions are hybrid, but we strongly encourage in-person attendance at 2024 E. Monument Street, Baltimore, MD.
- May 8 – Hybrid | 5 PM – 6 PM
- June 5 – Hybrid | 5 PM – 6 PM
Application Process
IMPORTANT!
Completing the online application form takes, on average, between one to two hours once you have all elements outlined below. As you move between application sections, your answers will be saved, but if you close your browser window, you will have to start over. Please allow enough time to complete the application in one sitting.
During the application process, you will be asked to:
- Confirm that you meet eligibility requirements
- Review the program expectations and rules of engagement
- Share information about your education, experience, and employment status
- Provide references
- Answer short and essay questions
- Record and submit a video response
- Upload your resume or CV
- Complete and submit an Employer Approval Form, if applicable
Application Materials
- Submit your application online
- To assist you in the online application process, we have provided a Word document version of the application here. The document also contains the Employer Approval Form.
- If you have trouble accessing the form, please email us at urbanhealth@jhu.edu.
Qualifications
We encourage individuals to apply who are over the age of 18 and have at least three years of community work experience(volunteer or paid) in Baltimore, particularly in Black Butterfly neighborhoods—areas in East and West Baltimore that have historically experienced disinvestment.
Interested candidates must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the English language. In addition, they should demonstrate the ability to work well with others, communicate effectively, and show leadership potential.
Note: Poverty is a significant social determinant of health. The term Black Butterfly was introduced by Dr. Lawrence Brown to describe the racialized geography of poverty in Baltimore. Since then, the concept has helped map disparities across Baltimore and beyond.
If you are uncertain about the Black Butterfly qualifications of your work experience, please submit questions to urbanhealth@jhu.edu.
While priority is given to those with experience in communities across East or West Baltimore, we also welcome applicants who have served in other underserved neighborhoods within the city.
Compensation
If chosen as a Bunting Fellow, the Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute will compensate for the Fellow's time to attend the program based on the guidelines below.
See below for more information:
Compensation Based On Employment Status | ||
| Employed and have the approval of your supervisor to apply You’ll be required to submit an Employer Approval Form (contained in the PDF version of the application, along with your application. The Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute (UHI) will provide your employer 10% of your salary and fringe up to $10,000 as salary support. The payment will not be a supplement to your salary; it will cover the time devoted to the Bunting Neighborhood Leadership Program. Your employer will continue to pay you as per your employment agreement and will invoice the UHI BNLP monthly for this support. The organization would have to be set up as a vendor to receive payments. | Self-employed The $10,000 payment will be sent to your organization in monthly installments. Your organization would have to be set up as a vendor to receive payments. The payment will be considered taxable income (1099 payment). | Community volunteer or community leader The $10,000 payment will be sent directly to you in monthly installments. You would have to be set up as a vendor to receive payments. The payment will be considered taxable income (1099 payment). |
Schedule and Requirements
The program will start in Fall 2025
Fellows meet semi-monthly in workshop-style interactive class sessions
6-hours of in-person training
- Outside of class activities that may include field trips, group activities, meeting with mentors, reading, reflections, assessments, homework, etc.
- The approximate duration of the program is 30 weeks
- Gradation projection: Spring 2026
* Please note the BNLP Fellowship follows Johns Hopkins’ safety policies
Deadline
Sunday, June 15, by 11:59 PM
Questions
If you have any questions about this application please contact urbanhealth@jhu.edu.