About the fellowship
The DxC Fellowship is a paid opportunity hosted by Cambio Labs that puts the power of design and project implementation directly into the hands of community members.
We are seeking six (6) Fellows in total. You do not need to be a business or design expert to apply; your lived expertise is what matters most. This Fellowship challenges the traditional top-down model of service delivery, shifting the process to Design WITH and Designed BY the community.
This specific cohort focuses on developing the Youth Entrepreneurship Program chosen by New Yorkers through The People's Money Participatory Budgeting process. Fellows will be responsible for translating community needs into an actionable plan to launch this project.
this is a chance to make a real difference in your community
Financial & Resource Support
Earn a Living and Learning Stipend
Fellows receive a Living and Learning Stipend of approximately $5,000 for the duration of the 6-month commitment. This stipend is paid bi-weekly and subject to attendance and completion of project milestones.
Community stewardship & Impact
Develop the Final Project Implementation Plan
Fellows collaboratively conduct the research and planning that produces the Final Project Implementation Plan. Through a participatory and collaborative design process, we will align program design with the neighborhood's wants and needs.
Skill Building & Mentorship
Learn Service Design & Research Methods
You will be trained in the five phases of community-centered service design. Fellows gain professional skills in framing problems, conducting original community research ("Talk to People"), and testing solutions ("Try It Out"). You will receive coaching and mentorship from Cambio Labs and other partners on your professional development.
Eligibility & Time Commitment
Seeking Leaders with Deep Community Roots
Applicants must be 18 or older and demonstrate deep community roots in Harlem (reside, learn, work, or worship there). Commitment is part-time, requiring roughly ~25 to 28 hours per month, including some evening or Saturday sessions
application timeline & Process
Application process:
1. Apply early! Apply early so we can thoroughly review your application. At this stage, we are getting to know you and your connection to the community.
Deadline: November 30, 2025
2. Show up! Select applicants will be invited to Phase 2 to attend a Virtual Collaborative Design Challenge on either December 4 or 6, time TBD. At this stage, we are looking at how you think, execute, and collaborate.
3. Stand out! Between December 8 to 12, finalists will be informed and interviewed. At this final stage, we want to get to know you one-on-one to ensure the best fit for this six-month commitment.
What you will do
The DxC Fellowship follows a rigorous design framework to ensure community input drives the final project outcomes.
In this 6-month fellowship, you will be trained to:
• Set the Stage (Jan-Feb '26): Frame and scope the complex problem by conducting preliminary research and drafting project goals.
• Talk to People (Mar '26): Lead community research by hosting listening sessions, conducting interviews, and creating surveys to capture neighborhood needs. Research incentives are funded through the program budget.
• Connect the Dots (Apr '26): Synthesize data, identify key themes, and collectively develop ideas and actionable steps for delivery.
• Try Things Out (May '26): Learn prototyping basics and practice developing small, quick, and fail-safe ways to test ideas before launching solutions.
• Plan Things Out (Jun '26): Refine project ideas, build consensus on budget distribution, and create the final Implementation Plan for partner handoff and community share-out.
Your Daily Work Includes: Coordinating logistics, managing sign-ins, mapping local resources, sharing feedback on digital tools, and doing outreach/follow-up with youth referrals