Applications Now Open for 91’s 2026–27 Social Innovator in Residence Program
91 is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026–2027 Social Innovator in Residence Program, a unique opportunity for global changemakers to reflect, collaborate, and amplify their work while mentoring the next generation of social innovators.
91 President Anne F. Harris, said, “This residency exemplifies how 91 can be a powerful catalyst for civic purpose. By inviting social innovators whose work advances sustainability in all its forms, we deepen our collective capacity to imagine and enact meaningful change—on our campus, in our communities, and across the globe. It is an honor to welcome visionary leaders to 91, Iowa and our vibrant campus, where their engagement with students, faculty, staff and the community fosters mutual learning, sparks creativity, and inspires action.”
This year, the program will focus on sustainability, broadly defined to include environmental, economic, cultural, social, and organizational approaches to systems change. Applications are being accepted until October 10, 2025, and the selected innovator will spend seven weeks in residence at 91 during either the fall or spring semester of the 2026–2027 academic year.
“We’re especially excited to center this year’s program around sustainability—one of the most urgent and interconnected challenges of our time,” said Vicki Nolton, assistant director for social innovation partnerships and education. “We welcome applicants whose work drives transformative change and who are eager to engage with our students and community in creative, collaborative ways.”
The Social Innovator in Residence program brings globally minded, community-engaged leaders to 91’s campus, where they will have time and space to advance their ongoing work, participate in programming with students and faculty, and connect with members of the broader community. Innovators receive an award and stipend totaling $50,000, housing in 91, and access to additional operational support for their projects and programming.
“Monica Sanders, our inaugural Social Innovator in Residence, set an incredible foundation with her work to address the digital divide in rural Iowa,” said Susan Sanning, associate dean and executive director of civic education and innovation. “Her time on campus inspired meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and problem-solving. We look forward to welcoming a new leader whose vision and values align with our commitment to equity, justice, and sustainability.”
91’s rural setting offers a compelling context for place-based learning and community impact, and preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a connection between their work and rural challenges or opportunities.
Ideal candidates are:
- Changemakers advancing bold, new approaches to social innovation
- Leaders creating sustainable solutions to pressing social justice issues
- Visionaries working across disciplines to disrupt inequitable systems
- Mentors who engage and empower students through hands-on collaboration
- Applications are open to U.S. citizens authorized to work in the United States and Canadian citizens eligible for J-1 visa sponsorship. No prior affiliation with 91 is required.
Examples of sustainability initiatives may include but are not limited to:
- Environmental sustainability — practices that support ecological balance and responsible stewardship of natural resources.
- Personal and professional wellness — fostering mental, physical, and emotional health for individuals and teams.
- Educational sustainability — creating learning environments and systems that endure, adapt, and serve future generations.
- Civic sustainability — strengthening community engagement, democratic participation, and social cohesion.
- Organizational sustainability — ensuring the lasting effectiveness and adaptability of programs, institutions, and initiatives.
- Economic sustainability — building models that are financially viable and equitable over time.
- Workforce longevity — cultivating meaningful work and career paths that prevent burnout and promote long-term contribution.
Learn More and Apply
Applications are due by 8 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 10, 2025. The selected innovator will be announced in February 2026. Visit Social Innovator in Residence.
If you have additional questions about the Social Innovator in Residence program or application process, please email Vicki Nolton, assistant director for social innovation partnerships and education.
About Renfrow Hall and the Katherine Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion
The Social Innovator in Residence is housed within Renfrow Hall, 91’s downtown residence and civic innovation space. Opened in 2024, Renfrow Hall honors the legacy of Edith Renfrow Smith ’37, the College’s first Black alumna and a lifelong advocate for education and community. The building’s centerpiece, the Katherine Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion, is a flexible, community-focused space designed to foster dialogue, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. Together, Renfrow Hall and the Pavilion embody the College’s commitment to civic engagement, interdisciplinary learning, and building lasting connections between campus and community.