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The Office of the Provost has announced that applications are now being accepted from full-time faculty and staff for the first cohort of Dialogue Facilitation Fellows. The deadline for applications is Monday, May 5.

The 2025-26 Dialogue Facilitation Fellows Program will provide a yearlong opportunity for full-time faculty, staff and administrators to learn about dialogue practices and develop facilitation skills to guide small-group conversations in settings including classrooms, workplaces and community events.

The program supports the goals of the Intergroup Dialogue Initiative (IGDI), a collaboration between the Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost, and Student Affairs and Campus Life (SACL), which was recently announced by Chancellor Reyes. The initiative seeks to foster dialogue on the university’s campus about important, relevant and controversial issues, encourage difficult conversations across diverse perspectives and establish more meaningful connections in informed and productive ways.

A cohort of 20 fellows will be trained, coached and supported through a community of practice as they co-facilitate storytelling, listening circles, or dialogue groups with students, faculty and/or staff. They will participate in an orientation on May 23 and three-day summer institute from June 3-5, followed by a yearlong community of practice.

Throughout the fellowship year, participants will cultivate understanding and skills to guide and co-facilitate a range of dialogic practices involving various segments of the university community and join a community of practice that will amplify and extend the use of dialogic practices across campus.

Fellows will receive a $1,500 stipend for completing all fellowship activities. 

For more information and to apply online by May 5, visit the Office of the Provost Dialogue Facilitation Fellows webpage. For questions, email the Intergroup Dialogue Initiative at igdi@umass.edu.