As an organization, NAFA believes in enacting, supporting, and advocating for processes and opportunities that embody the following values. We believe that these values can and should be applied at individual, organizational, and systemic levels. We recognize that enacting these values requires intentional and ongoing reflection, analysis, and accountability.

Purpose: NAFA promotes educational, ethical, and equitable fellowships practices.

Vision: NAFA envisions a higher education landscape that recognizes, prioritizes, and honors the transformative value of fellowships processes.

Strategic Approach: To accomplish these goals, NAFA:

– Sets ethical standards for the profession.

– Fosters a culture of knowledge-sharing and mutual support.

– Offers professional development opportunities for its members.

– Facilitates communication between fellowships advisors and administrating organizations.

– Promotes application processes as learning opportunities for advisees.

– Encourages research into fellowships and the profession surrounding them.

Values:

As an organization, NAFA believes in enacting, supporting, and advocating for processes and opportunities that embody the following values. We believe that these values can and should be applied at individual, organizational, and systemic levels. We recognize that enacting these values requires intentional and ongoing reflection, analysis, and accountability.

Collaboration: We strive to foster a community of practice which encourages people to work together, minimize harmful competition, and cultivate opportunities to share fellowships expertise.

Learning: We believe that fellowships systems and processes should prioritize opportunities for applicants, advisors, and additional partners to learn, grow, and develop, regardless of outcome.

Equity: We recognize that many fellowships were built upon exclusionary legacies, criteria, and practices which reverberate today. Creating equitable processes requires acknowledging these legacies, helping advisees navigate them, and advocating for change when necessary and appropriate.

Inclusion: We aim to reduce unnecessary barriers to participation in fellowships processes and to foster a sense of belonging within our profession and for our advisees.

Respect: We affirm the inherent dignity and autonomy of all participants in fellowships processes. We believe that stakeholders of all identities, abilities, and lived experiences should be treated appropriately.

Transparency: We maintain that systems and processes should be as open and clear as possible while honoring appropriate stakeholder privacy.