Napier Initiative

Important Deadlines

  • Internal Deadline: Monday, September 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
    • The internal application with all supporting materials must be submitted to fellowships@pomona.edu. (see details below)
  • Nominees Final Deadline: Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PDT

Purpose

The Napier Initiative is a partnership between Pilgrim Place senior community and the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges to encourage leadership for social change. This intergenerational mentoring program links Napier Fellows interested in exploring vocations for social change with elders at Pilgrim Place who have built a lifetime of experience, leadership, and professional skills in fostering social justice for all people, caring for our fragile Earth home, and nurturing peace and reconciliation. Pilgrim Place, faculty and staff designated by the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges, and representatives from the wider Claremont community provide leadership for the Initiative.

Programs Funded

Pilgrim Place offers two awards at $20,000 each. The five colleges will nominate up to three applicants, with the two finalists being chosen by a selection panel at Pilgrim Place. Additionally, each of the students nominated by the colleges will have the opportunity for a one-year mentoring relationship with Pilgrim Place residents having a significant vocational affinity with the nominee. Thus, this is not a “submit it and forget it” type of award, but requires on-going involvement with the Pilgrim Place community. Fellows are expected to participate in a series of meetings and events with Mentors, the first being on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Please refer to the Napier website for the complete schedule.

Eligibility

This award is reserved for graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership promise in one of the three principal fields to which the “Napiers” dedicated themselves: global peace, social justice, and care of the Earth. Applicants should present a creative proposal for a practical project which must be carried out within fifteen months following graduation in the U.S. or abroad. The Napier Initiative encourages practical, hands-on work for a creative, viable proposal. Applicants should show that they have taken the initiative to establish a collaborative relationship with leaders in one or more local organizations where the project would be carried out.

Application/Nomination Process

1. Complete the brief application form. Attach a résumé and unofficial transcript.

2. Provide at least two letters of recommendation, one from a faculty member at your college who can attest to your accomplishments relevant to this award and one from a partner organization on the site where you would implement your project. If one of these persons is not in a position to observe and evaluate your leadership skills, include a third letter from someone with whom you have worked who can do so.

In the case of an organization established by a Fellow, the second letter of recommendation must come from an independent partner organization, not from someone within the Fellow-established organization.

Please provide the recommendation instructions link to each of your references. Personal references are confidential and should be submitted to the contact person at the applicant’s college. The partner organization’s letter can be sent directly to the college contact person or to the applicant who would include it with the application.

3. Write a personal essay covering each of the points listed under number 3 on the Napier Website. The essay may be up to three typed pages (single spaced, 12-point type, Times New Roman).

4. Create a one-page timeline for the project.​

5. Create a one-page proposed budget for the $20,000 award. The stipend may be used for travel, living expenses, materials, a language refresher course, or whatever will promote the successful completion of your project. The stipend may not be used as salary for the awardee.

6. Nominations for a joint award, with two students sharing a single proposed project and award, are acceptable. If the students come from different colleges, they must choose one of their colleges through which to apply and follow the established process for that college. Both students should include their own biographical information, personal essay, official transcript, and faculty and personal recommendations. A jointly written project proposal, timeline, and budget should be submitted along with the letter from the partnering organization.

7. Submit materials AS A SINGLE PDF document to fellowships@pomona.edu by the internal deadline with the subject “Napier Initiative Application.” Recommendations are also due by the internal deadline and should also be submitted to fellowships@pomona.edu with the subject “Napier Recommendation – Applicant First and Last Name.” Use this checklist to ensure you have provided all the information requested and be sure to sign the agreement for participation as a Napier Fellow.​

For questions on applying, please email Jason Jeffrey (Jason.Jeffrey@pomona.edu), Associate Director of Fellowships.

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