The BRIDGE Fellows Program (Building Resilient, Inclusive Dialogue for Governance & Engagement) is designed to prepare graduate and undergraduate students to engage productively across differences and facilitate meaningful dialogue on complex public issues. Through workshops, experiential learning, and collaborative learning opportunities, fellows develop skills in civil discourse, dialogue facilitation, mediation, conflict management, and civic leadership.
The BRIDGE Fellows Program builds on SPIA's ongoing discourse and dialogue initiatives and its partnership with Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College. The initiative is made possible by SPIA's participation in the Deliberative Citizenship Network (DCN), a national initiative led by the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative at Davidson College, and funding the U.S. Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE).
Applications open July 13, 2026. Please submit your application through the link below by August 14, 2026 for consideration in this year's cohort.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who should apply?
The program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students at Pitt and Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College. No prior experience with dialogue facilitation is required. BRIDGE is a strong fit for students interested in civil discourse and dialogue, civic leadership, conflict management and mediation, building connections across differences, and strengthening democratic engagement on campus and beyond.
- What are the core components of the program?
The program includes a fall orientation and cohort-building experience, three interactive workshops led by experienced faculty, student-led planning and facilitation of a public dialogue event, and a closing celebration.
- Is there an academic or financial incentive for participating in the program?
Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of completion and a $500 stipend recognizing their participation and leadership.
- What are the important dates to remember for the program?
Here are the key dates to keep in mind:
Monday, July 13, 2026: Applications open
Friday, August 14, 2026: Applications close
Friday, August 21, 2026: Fellow selection and notification
The program will launch in late August with a fall orientation and cohort-building experience and run through April 2027.
For questions about the BRIDGE Fellows Program, please contact SPIA Director of Strategic Initiatives Trupti Sarode at trs138@pitt.edu.