Fellowship FAQ

Knowles Teaching Fellowships are intended to support beginning high school science and mathematics teachers in the United States. 2024 Fellowships will be awarded to individuals who:

• have the capacity and determination to commit to teaching as their primary career;
• have earned a degree in a major related to the mathematics or science discipline they intend to teach between 2014 and September 1, 2024;
• have earned or will earn a valid state teaching credential/certificate/license that enables them to teach mathematics or science in grades 9–12 in the United States no earlier than January 1, 2019 and no later than September 1, 2024; and
• will be entering their first, second or third year as teacher of record during the 2024–2025 academic year.*

* For the purpose of eligibility, we consider an applicant’s first year of teaching to be the first year in which they teach full time for the full academic year as the teacher-of-record.

If you have questions about eligibility, please contact us at apply@knowlesteachers.org.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in science and/or mathematics, and is committed to teaching physics, chemistry, biology and/or mathematics to high school students in the United States. This Fellowship is not intended to support individuals who are pursuing teaching on a temporary basis, or as a stepping stone to another career. An ideal candidate can demonstrate leadership and achievement in past endeavors, has experience with adolescents and/or teaching, and can articulate his/her motivation for becoming a teacher. Please review the selection criteria for details.

Knowles Teaching Fellowships are NOT awarded based on need (financial or otherwise), but rather on ability and promise.

Prospective applicants interested in teaching both math and science can apply. Knowles Fellows become part of a cohort of teachers focused on developing pedagogical and content knowledge in science or mathematics. During the application process, though, applicants will be evaluated in part on their knowledge of the content area they choose, and their reasons for choosing to teach that subject. As such, it is strongly recommended that applicants choose the content area that most closely aligns with their disciplinary strengths.

Individuals who are not citizens or who hold degrees from outside the United States are eligible for the Knowles Teaching Fellowship. However, they must be committed to teaching science or mathematics in U.S. high schools and possess a valid state teaching credential/certificate/license that enables them to teach grades 9–12 in the United States by September 1, 2024.

Regardless of whether an individual recently completed a teacher education program, is currently enrolled in one, or plans to apply for one, Fellowships will only be awarded to individuals who will be certified no later than September 1, 2024.

As long as you earned your teaching certificate or credential no earlier than January 1, 2018, and are entering your first, second or third year as teacher of record during the 2024–2025 academic year, you are eligible to apply.*

* For the purpose of eligibility, we consider an applicant’s first year of teaching to be the first year in which they teach full time for the full academic year as the teacher-of-record.

You must earn a secondary teaching credential by September 1, 2024 to be eligible to apply.

The selection process begins with the submission of an online application and all required supplemental materials—one short answer response, a resume, an unofficial transcript and contact information—by one of the five application window deadlines. After a thorough review of the written materials, the quarterfinalists will be invited to submit responses to six short answer questions by 11:59 p.m. PST on January 16, 2024. Semifinalists will be invited to participate in a one-hour individual interview to be conducted via Zoom in February or March 2024. Finalists will be invited to participate in a group interview process via Zoom that will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Applicants should be available for the entire day (between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EDT). To participate in group interviews, finalists must submit contact information for two references via the application system. Referees must submit reference forms by 11:59 p.m. PST on April 18, 2024 in order for finalists to participate in group interviews. 

2024 Fellowship awardees will be announced in May 2024.

No. If you are unable to accept a Teaching Fellowship for any reason, you must reapply the following year, if you still meet the eligibility requirements.

As part of the five-year Teaching Fellowship, Knowles Teaching Fellows are required to: obtain a full-time, high school science or mathematics teaching position, participate in the Knowles community and adhere to Knowles policy guidelines. Fellowship responsibilities will typically require a time commitment of four to six hours per month, over and above the time spent in in-person meetings and preparing proposals to submit for benefits.

Teaching Fellows receive financial support in the form of grants or stipends throughout the year. Professional development grants are available to cover the cost of relevant activities, including workshops, mentoring, practitioner inquiry and Fellow observations. Fellows are also eligible for teaching materials grants. Last, Fellows can apply for leadership grants to pursue efforts that will have a positive impact on education beyond their own classroom. In total, Fellows are eligible to receive more than $50,000 in financial support of the course of the five-year Fellowship. For more detailed information, please visit the Teaching Fellows Program page.

The Knowles Teacher Initiative recognizes that teaching is a highly complex and challenging endeavor that takes time and effort to learn to do well. The Fellowship is designed to meet the needs of beginning teachers by providing the support and resources needed to help them develop into outstanding professional teachers who can become leaders and change agents in the field of education.

The Fellowship is designed for individuals who recognize that teaching is an intellectually demanding profession and are committed to being leaders and change agents in education. By contrast, the Knowles Teaching Fellowship is not intended for individuals who are pursuing teaching as a way to strengthen a resume, are taking a break from another career or wish to remain employed while seeking work in other fields. If you are not committed to teaching for at least five years, this Fellowship is not for you.

Aside from receiving financial support, Teaching Fellows are part of a network of like-minded individuals who share a dedication to science and mathematics education. Throughout the year, Fellows participate in the Knowles community via online workspaces. At Fall, Spring and Summer Fellows’ Meetings, Fellows are exposed to a variety of resources, curriculum materials, research, and experts in the field.

Teaching Fellows may choose to take coursework at a college or university, attend a workshop for teachers, engage in a research project, or participate in an internship. They often attend conferences hosted by professional organizations. Additionally, they are able to hire mentors who support them in their professional growth. Professional development activities depend on an individual’s interests and needs and will look different for each Fellow.

During the 2022–2023 school year, the Knowles community included more than 450 Fellows teaching in 34 states, plus the District of Columbia.

You do not have to remain in the same location for all five years of the Fellowship. Many of our Teaching Fellows have changed locations while in the program. However, you must continue to teach in a U.S. high school.

No. The Fellowship is a professional development and support program for beginning teachers. It does not provide a teaching credential. Fellows are required to obtain a teaching license or credential in the state where he or she wishes to teach by Sept. 1 of the year in which the Fellowship would begin.

Fellows are expected to procure their own full-time teaching positions once credentialed. Often, your teacher education program will offer guidance in this process.

Fellows can teach at any U.S. high school, as long as science or mathematics is at least half of their teaching assignment. American schools abroad, high schools in U.S. territories and Department of Defense schools abroad are not considered U.S. high schools for the purpose of the Knowles Teaching Fellowship.

Once you are credentialed, you will forfeit the Fellowship if you are not teaching full-time. However, the Knowles Teacher Initiative will consider a Fellowship suspended for up to one year, if you are actively searching for a teaching position and engaging in another appropriate activity in the teaching field, such as working as a substitute teacher or taking additional coursework.

After completing the fifth year of the Fellowship, Knowles Teaching Fellows become Senior Fellows who have the opportunity to remain involved in the Knowles community throughout their careers and be supported in ongoing leadership efforts. Senior Fellows are encouraged to remain involved with the Knowles Teacher Initiative in a number of ways, including designing and implementing professional development for Knowles Fellows, attending Knowles meetings and continuing to participate in our online community. Senior Fellows are eligible to receive support while pursuing National Board Certification. Additionally, they are eligible to receive grants that support activities that impact education beyond their own classrooms.