Open Style Lab Design Impact Fellowship Program
Now In London and New York!
The OSL Fellowship Program, is an educational program that brings together fellows with lived experiences of disability, designers, occupational therapists, and engineers to work together to design style-led solutions with and by the disabled community.
If you are interested in joining our 2026 fellowship cohort in London or New York please apply below. If you have any questions please email us at summer@openstylelab.org.
About the Program
Learnings
Collaborative Innovation: Work in multidisciplinary teams from occupational therapy, design, engineering and lived experience of disability to co-design style-led solutions.
Empowerment & Learning: Gain hands-on experience in design thinking, storytelling, and innovative technology, positioning you as a thought leader in the design space. Fellows will also be given a wide range of resources, including educational material and lectures from prominent figures in the disabled community and the design world. Topics will range from disability history and past OSL examples to inclusive design principles.
Proven Impact
Previous program outcomes have been featured at New York Fashion Week and showcased at esteemed institutions such as the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in NYC, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich in Zurich and the upcoming Victoria and Albert Museum in London June 2025.
Previous program outcomes have been featured at New York Fashion Week and showcased at esteemed institutions such as the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in NYC, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich in Zurich and the upcoming Victoria and Albert Museum in London June 2025.
Who are the fellows?
* Disabled Expert Fellows (Individuals with lived experience of disability)
* Physical Designers (Packaging, Product, Industrial, Architecture, Fashion, etc.)
* Graphic Designers (Skills in packaging and prototyping)
* Occupational Therapists / Physical Therapists
* Industrial or Product Engineer
* Disabled Expert Fellows (Individuals with lived experience of disability)
* Physical Designers (Packaging, Product, Industrial, Architecture, Fashion, etc.)
* Graphic Designers (Skills in packaging and prototyping)
* Occupational Therapists / Physical Therapists
* Industrial or Product Engineer
Raising Awareness
By the end of the program, each team will share design projects and receive feedback from prominent guest lecturers, mentors and judges from academia and different industries during a final showcase to the public. See our 2020 showcase collaboration with MDA HERE
By the end of the program, each team will share design projects and receive feedback from prominent guest lecturers, mentors and judges from academia and different industries during a final showcase to the public. See our 2020 showcase collaboration with MDA HERE
Thought Leadership
Through transformative co-design with Disabled Expert Fellows with accessibility at the forefront fellows become empowered as thought-leaders in the design space with Open Style Lab, equipped with tools for design thinking, storytelling, and innovative technology to create lasting, scalable impact!
Through transformative co-design with Disabled Expert Fellows with accessibility at the forefront fellows become empowered as thought-leaders in the design space with Open Style Lab, equipped with tools for design thinking, storytelling, and innovative technology to create lasting, scalable impact!
Who is eligible to apply in the NYC, US?
Requirements
* Open Style Lab is seeking applications from members of the disability and non-disabled community a.k.a experts, physical designers, graphic designers, occupational therapists and engineer fellows interested in participating in our eighth summer program.
* All fellows must have at least 1 year of work experience in their field. Physical and Graphic Design Fellows will be asked to share a portfolio with a CV.
* Open to US Citizens / W9 Required.
* Must be a New York resident or able to readily commute to New York.
* Open Style Lab is seeking applications from members of the disability and non-disabled community a.k.a experts, physical designers, graphic designers, occupational therapists and engineer fellows interested in participating in our eighth summer program.
* All fellows must have at least 1 year of work experience in their field. Physical and Graphic Design Fellows will be asked to share a portfolio with a CV.
* Open to US Citizens / W9 Required.
* Must be a New York resident or able to readily commute to New York.
Who is eligible to apply in the London, UK?
Requirements
* Open Style Lab is seeking applications from members of the disability and non-disabled community a.k.a experts, physical designers, graphic designers, occupational therapists and engineer fellows interested in participating in our eighth summer program.
* All fellows must have at least 1 year of work experience in their field. Physical and Graphic Design Fellows will be asked to share a portfolio with a CV.
* Must be a UK, London resident or able to readily commute to New York.
* Open Style Lab is seeking applications from members of the disability and non-disabled community a.k.a experts, physical designers, graphic designers, occupational therapists and engineer fellows interested in participating in our eighth summer program.
* All fellows must have at least 1 year of work experience in their field. Physical and Graphic Design Fellows will be asked to share a portfolio with a CV.
* Must be a UK, London resident or able to readily commute to New York.
What is the research and work like?
Accepted fellows will immerse themselves in a hands-on environment, collaborating closely across multidisciplines to drive meaningful impact with the disability community to innovate solutions with function, style, and scalability as crucibles for design. Fellows will also have the opportunity to collaborate internationally with OSL UK to ideate and crosspollinate for a global perspective.
Where does the program take place?
Brooklyn, New York City and London, UK
Is there a stipend?
All accepted fellows will be offered a stipend for material costs. If you require need-based financial support to go towards travel, accommodation, and food, please apply through the corresponding question in the form.
*Fellows will be advised to create delegation plans with their teams on shared expenses.
Fellow Testimonials
“The OSL Summer Program was an expansive and revitalizing period in my life, as it stretched me to think outside the boundaries of traditional paradigms, and spurred me to cultivate my inner creator.”
Christine Oak, 2024 Alumni
“This summer co-design experience has made me realize that I can directly advocate and create equity for myself and others, skyrocketed by skills personally obtained from this program.”
Levi Waterhouse, 2024 Alumni