DEAL 10 | 2026 Fellowship Application

Thank you for your interest in applying to be a part of the tenth (2026) DEAL Racial Equity Fellowship cohort. The DEAL 10 - 2026 application opens Friday, August 1, 2025, and closes on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm. The fellowship orientation will launch on January 8 and 9, 2026. Attendance at both orientation days is MANDATORY. 

At the Detroit Equity Action Lab (DEAL), we develop leaders who work to end structural racism. We equip leaders with tools to disrupt racism and create equitable alternatives in culture, policy, and practice in Detroit.  

Through our Racial Equity Fellowship, we bring together people and organizations working in many dimensions of racial equity, including the arts and media, community development, education, environmental justice, food security, public health, and other areas of expertise. Together, they develop a shared analysis of structural racism and white supremacy to build a toolkit for creating equitable alternatives. Who can apply?

• We welcome emerging and experienced leaders with a deep commitment to racial equity from all of Detroit's ethnic and racial groups, gender identities, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
• Applicants working/volunteering for groups and organizations (or as individuals) in a wide variety of sectors and various levels of budgets and experience, from volunteer-based organizations to nonprofits and beyond, are welcome to apply.
• We accept applicants who live or work in Detroit or the metropolitan area.
• We accept applicants whose work or volunteerism directly impacts Detroit.
• We accept applicants 18 years or older.

Find more information about our fellowship program, including FAQs on who can apply, fellowship commitments, and more here.

Racial equity work looks different for everyone.

Racial Equity Work

The DEAL defines racial equity work very broadly. We acknowledge that activism and movement work can look different for all of us. This work, like leadership, can occur out front, in the middle, and in the background. The DEAL values all types of racial equity work, seen and unseen. If you have meaningfully supported or participated in ending structural racism in any way, you have done racial equity work. For example, it is more than protesting or a job title; it is also providing nourishment for the protesters. There are multiple ways to do this work that honor and respect your capacity, time, energy, and other resources. Please do not downplay your experiences. This application is an opportunity to revisit and share your work it with us.