Stipend application for MERL Center now open!

The MERL Center is a community that collaborates closely with MERL Tech. We create resources at the intersection of MERL and open source, data science, and human centered design for people of any technology capacity. We are a community of 50+ members across sub-Saharan Africa, South/east Asia, North America, Europe and Australia, and more than a quarter of us are women of color. Most of us volunteer our time.

To recognize our volunteers’ time, MERL Center offers a limited number of stipends. The application process for this second round of stipends is open between 14 March and 13 June of 2022. This second stipend cohort will focus on similar functions as the first cohort, with the aim of growing the community and its reach.

Stipends are USD $2000 each, five of which will be awarded between June and July 2022, once the selection process is complete. We may also allocate 1-2 additional stipends to junior-level professionals.

What do you need to qualify for a stipend?

To qualify for a stipend, applicants must:

• Demonstrate knowledge and/or expertise in open source, data science or human-centered design as it relates to MERL disciplines
• Have professional proficiency in English
• Demonstrate strong writing and editing skills
• Be able to receive funds from a US bank account or a remittance service
• Current MERL Center members are eligible to apply unless they were previous stipend recipient who did not complete the requirements

There are no formal education requirements. Previous knowledge of GitHub is encouraged but not required.

Stipend recipients must agree to dedicate 3-5 hours per month to the MERL Center and to complete the following throughout the year:

• Contribute at least two pieces of content on the MERL Center website
• Serve as an editor to at least one other piece of content
• Participate in monthly standing calls, time zone and schedules permitting
• Communicate on a monthly basis with other MERL Center members through GitHub, Slack and Google Drive.

For further queries on the MERL Center stipends contact themerlcenter@gmail.com

Please note it is NOT required to complete an application to be a MERL Center member. If you wish to join the MERL Center without applying for a stipend, please fill out this form.

We look forward to seeing your application!