Digital media and online engagement have emerged as central components of organizing and persuasion – and progressives remain severely outmatched. Amid unprecedented attacks on our democracy, progressives need innovative technical infrastructure to compete effectively in digital spaces. While discussions often focus on messages and messengers, the underlying infrastructure enabling digital content creation and distribution has been overlooked, limiting our ability to reach key audiences where they actually consume information.
The HGI Media Innovation Fellowship Program is a three-month intensive program supporting innovators to design the next generation of digital engagement models, transforming how progressives connect with voters online. Each fellow will receive a $15,000 stipend for their 3-month involvement in the program. Additional resources will be provided for program coordination, documentation support, and the showcase event.
Request for Proposals
HGI seeks proposals from individuals or teams who will:
- Develop Applications of Emerging or Existing Technologies: Adapt or repurpose existing or emerging tech to transform standard digital organizing or communications practices.
- Build New Software: Create original technical tools that address specific needs within the progressive movement.
The fellowship grants will be awarded by the Higher Ground Institute and can be made to any type of individual or organization, regardless of structure or for-profit/non-profit status. Learn more and apply today.
Applications close on May 27th, 9am ET.
Timeline
RFP Release Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Proposal Submission Deadline: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 @ 9am ET.
Decisions Notification: Friday, June 13, 2025
Fellowship Start Date: Monday, June 23, 2025
Month 1: Discovery & Project Definition
- Fellows identify specific media innovation challenges
- Define concrete, implementable deliverables
- Develop relationships with 1-2 partner organizations for feedback
Month 2: Solution Development
- Create a detailed outline of practical tools, systems, or approaches
- Regular feedback from program lead and partners
- Refine based on practical implementation considerations
Month 3: Testing & Showcase Preparation
- Light testing of solutions with partners
- Package findings as implementation guides
- Prepare showcase presentations
Criteria for Fellows
- Technical skills in media innovation (AI, digital distribution, content creation)
- Proposal that demonstrates a pathway for technology to solve infrastructure problems limiting digital efficacy
- Projects that have demonstrable scalability
- Experience working within progressive campaigns or organizations
- Demonstrated commitment to transforming progressive digital engagement
Final Deliverables
- Salon Development
Each fellow will participate in or host a topical salon – a curated discussion or learning session focused on the fellow’s area of innovation. These salons will provide space for peers, practitioners, and thought leaders to engage in deeper dialogue, share feedback, and explore the broader implications of the fellow’s work. - Innovation Case Studies
Practical documentation of the innovation process, including:
•. Problem definition and opportunity analysis
•. Strategic approach and methodology
•. Key metrics for measuring success
•. Implementation considerations and potential challenges
•. Resource requirements for organizations looking to pilot - Virtual Showcase Event
Participation in a structured virtual presentation where fellows demonstrate their innovations and answer questions from practitioners across the movement. - External Report or Readout
Writing a concise document highlighting key innovations, lessons learned, and opportunities for scaling across the progressive movement. This can be a blog or op-ed on your project topic.
To submit a response to this RFP, please complete this form. We expect that this should take no more than an hour to complete.
If you have questions about the RFP or submission process, reach out here.
About the Higher Ground Institute
The Higher Ground Institute (HGI) is a strategic innovation engine for Democratic campaigns and progressive movements. We create spaces to prototype, test, and scale new approaches to organizing, narrative, and digital infrastructure – grounded in the real-world needs of practitioners. We’re on a mission to build the new progressive playbook by building spaces to test, refine, and scale next-generation strategies.
