What we know (updated 9/9/20)
- The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the City agency that administers the NYC Urban Fellows Program, contacted the incoming Urban Fellows cohort on Tuesday, August 4th that it is “unlikely that we will be able to start the cohort with the traditional cohort structure in the beginning of September.” The email also stated that if “our ability to hire becomes clearer, we will update you as soon as possible.”
- DCAS confirmed conditional offers to the incoming Urban Fellows cohort on Tuesday, September 8th for a tentative start date of October 13th. However, the number of fellowships will be dependent on City agency ability to hire on a fellow.
- While some City agencies are willing and able to fund a fellow this fall, the City’s budget situation means that some agencies may have the desire to place a fellow, but lack the budgetary ability to do so.
- DCAS is not considering eliminating the program at this time and intends to bring on a cohort in 2021-2022 if the budget allows.
What we don’t know
- If the City’s Office of Management and Budget is giving City agencies additional funding to hire on fellows this fall, or if the budget must come from the existing agency budget.
- If external sources of funding will ultimately be needed to place this year’s Urban Fellows class.
NYC Urban Fellows Alumni Association 