Today the D.C. Policy Center is launching the Wilkes Fellowship and the Wilkes Scholars program, which will support original research to be conducted by a current or recent graduate student in an area of current interest and importance to the Policy Center.
Established by a generous gift from The Wilkes Company, the Wilkes Fellowship aims to introduce graduate students and young researchers to applied regional and policy analysis while advancing a key goal of the D.C. Policy Center: to provide objective, targeted, and high-quality data analyses to support robust and productive policy debate in the District of Columbia.
The Wilkes Scholars, made possible by a generous gift from Quadrangle Development in honor of Sandy Wilkes, will likewise support scholars with a dedicated research agenda focusing on the District.
About the Wilkes Fellow
The Wilkes Fellow will expand the Policy Center’s Fellows program, which provides opportunities and support for independent researchers and writers to publish analyses about the District of Columbia under the umbrella of the D.C. Policy Center.
The Wilkes Fellow is the D.C. Policy Center’s inaugural endowed fellow. The fellow is expected to augment the research and analytic work of the Policy Center. The Wilkes Fellow will be a current or recent graduate student or other early-career researcher who wants to apply their academic achievements, experience, and training to address key policy issues in the District of Columbia.
Following a competitive application process, the Wilkes Fellow will be appointed to a one-year term, conducting original research and analysis on issues in one or more of the Policy Center’s research focus areas, such as housing, workforce development, or the economy. The fellow’s work will be published by the D.C. Policy Center. Accordingly, the Wilkes Fellow will participate in, and contribute to, the intellectual life of the Policy Center. The fellowship includes a $10,000 stipend and ongoing editorial and analytical support from the Policy Center’s research team.
“At the Wilkes Company, we believe strongly not only in the D.C. Policy Center’s original research and analyses which support robust policy deliberations in the District, but also in the crucial importance of scholarship in local policymaking. We hope that the Wilkes Fellowship can serve as a model for future endowed research at the D.C. Policy Center, with investment from civic-minded individuals and organizations committed to a strong and vibrant economy in the District of Columbia.”
Charles “Sandy” Wilkes
Chairman, The Wilkes Company
Chairman, D.C. Policy Center Board of Directors
About the Wilkes Scholars
With the Quadrangle Development gift made in honor of Mr. Wilkes, the Policy Center expects to double the output of its independent fellowship research over the next three years. Likewise community-minded individuals and organizations interested in supporting the D.C. Policy Center’s original research and analysis through the Wilkes Fellowship or another named fellowship should contact Director of External Relations Aimee Custis at aimee@dcpolicycenter.org.
“We are thrilled to honor the leadership and service of Sandy Wilkes in growing the D.C. Policy Center and its contributions to a robust debate in the Washington metropolitan area. I cannot think of a better way to honor Sandy’s leadership and dedication to the District of Columbia than to expand the endowed research program he started.”
Chris Gladstone
CEO, Quadrangle Development
Application information
To be considered for a Wilkes Fellowship, early-career scholars, students, and researchers should send a current resume, cover letter, and three writing samples to jobs@dcpolicycenter.org, with “Wilkes Fellowship application” in the subject line. Full application instructions and frequently asked questions are available here. The priority deadline is November 12th, 2019; after that, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Individuals interested in pursuing research through the Wilkes scholarship should apply to the D.C. Policy Center though our independent fellows program.
Please contact jobs@dcpolicycenter.org with any questions.
About the D.C. Policy Center
Established in 2016, the D.C. Policy Center is a non-partisan independent think tank focused on advancing policies for a vibrant and growing economy in the District of Columbia. The D.C. Policy Center is dedicated to providing objective, targeted, and high-quality data analyses to support a productive policy debate in the District of Columbia. Learn more at dcpolicycenter.org/about.
