Project Lead FAQ
Project Lead General Information:
Delta Data Service grant program:
- How does being a project lead differ from being a fellow?
- How many project leads will be selected?
- How are project leads selected?
- I do not live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Am I still eligible to apply?
- How long is the fellowship?
- If I'm not accepted as a project lead, or change my mind, can I apply to be a data fellow?
Delta Data Service grant program:
Project Leads General Information
How does being a project lead differ from being a fellow?
As project lead you are the key to our data service projects success. You will lead your team with your technical skills, assign tasks to your fellows, and ensure tasks get completed and integrated into the final product. Additionally, you will be the main point of contact with Delta leadership, who will help guide you on a successful project, and your nonprofit partner, taking in their requests, presenting results, and ensuring their and your vision aligns on successful project outcomes.
How many project leads will be selected?
This year we plan to select between 4-8 project leads.
How are project leads selected?
Fellows are selected based on their previous data and analytics experience and their demonstrated passion for assisting nonprofits. Typical applicants are professionals located in the San Francisco Bay Area who have had some experience working with data as part of their full-time jobs. Alternatively, applicants may bring data experience from schooling (e.g., as part of a program for economics or statistics), research projects, or internships. Data experience may vary widely, and there is no definitive list of skills required to apply.
Past volunteers have included economic consultants, data analysts or data scientists at tech companies, data visualization specialists, economics PhDs, program managers, software engineers and financial analysts who have only worked with Excel. Most important is commitment to our mission and an interest and enthusiasm to apply and expand your data capabilities.
I do not live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, starting in 2021 we began working with remote teams, and remote fellows. Depending on how open California is in 2022, we'd like to have in-person events (our monthly "hackathons"), however, if we do have in-person events we will still have a remote option.
How long is the data fellowship?
The project engagement itself lasts 6 months (January - June). Project leads will begin earlier, helping the Delta leadership team select nonprofit partners as well as scoping projects. Likely project leads will be asked to spend a few hours in October, November, and December preparing their projects before the cohort kicks off in January.
If I'm not accepted as a project lead, or change my mind, can I apply to be a data fellow?
Yes, project lead applicants who are not selected for the project lead role, or decide they'd rather not accept the position may be considered for a role as a data fellow.
As project lead you are the key to our data service projects success. You will lead your team with your technical skills, assign tasks to your fellows, and ensure tasks get completed and integrated into the final product. Additionally, you will be the main point of contact with Delta leadership, who will help guide you on a successful project, and your nonprofit partner, taking in their requests, presenting results, and ensuring their and your vision aligns on successful project outcomes.
How many project leads will be selected?
This year we plan to select between 4-8 project leads.
How are project leads selected?
Fellows are selected based on their previous data and analytics experience and their demonstrated passion for assisting nonprofits. Typical applicants are professionals located in the San Francisco Bay Area who have had some experience working with data as part of their full-time jobs. Alternatively, applicants may bring data experience from schooling (e.g., as part of a program for economics or statistics), research projects, or internships. Data experience may vary widely, and there is no definitive list of skills required to apply.
Past volunteers have included economic consultants, data analysts or data scientists at tech companies, data visualization specialists, economics PhDs, program managers, software engineers and financial analysts who have only worked with Excel. Most important is commitment to our mission and an interest and enthusiasm to apply and expand your data capabilities.
I do not live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, starting in 2021 we began working with remote teams, and remote fellows. Depending on how open California is in 2022, we'd like to have in-person events (our monthly "hackathons"), however, if we do have in-person events we will still have a remote option.
How long is the data fellowship?
The project engagement itself lasts 6 months (January - June). Project leads will begin earlier, helping the Delta leadership team select nonprofit partners as well as scoping projects. Likely project leads will be asked to spend a few hours in October, November, and December preparing their projects before the cohort kicks off in January.
If I'm not accepted as a project lead, or change my mind, can I apply to be a data fellow?
Yes, project lead applicants who are not selected for the project lead role, or decide they'd rather not accept the position may be considered for a role as a data fellow.
Delta Data Service Grant Program
How many people will be on each project team?
As project lead you will lead a team of 3 to 4 data fellows.
What is the expected time commitment for the fellowship?
Most project leads will spend 7-12 hours a week.
Will project leads be given a stipend?
Delta Analytics does not offer stipends to project leads, however, we do provide a small budget for monthly activities with your team.
When is the deadline to submit my application?
Applicants are considered on a rolling basis, however, apply as soon as possible as we will accept project leads as we interview them.
How will I get matched with a project?
Starting this year project leads will have the opportunity to interview potential nonprofit partners that they are interested in working with. You will help Delta leadership review nonprofit applicants, and interview those you are most interested in working with. This way we hope to ensure project leads match well with their nonprofit partners in terms of interest, skillset, and working relationship with your nonprofit point of contact.
What data analysis software does Delta use?
For the Data Fellows program, we use the best tools based on the requirements of the project and the skills within the team. In the past, Delta has used R, Excel, Tableau, Stata, and SAS. Note that Delta does not provide any software. Previous project teams have relied on open source software such as R or pre-installed software on fellows’ computers (e.g., Excel). In your fellowship application, please feel free to describe what statistical or data analytics software you are more experienced with. You and your team will decide together what common language to use for the project.
As project lead you will lead a team of 3 to 4 data fellows.
What is the expected time commitment for the fellowship?
Most project leads will spend 7-12 hours a week.
Will project leads be given a stipend?
Delta Analytics does not offer stipends to project leads, however, we do provide a small budget for monthly activities with your team.
When is the deadline to submit my application?
Applicants are considered on a rolling basis, however, apply as soon as possible as we will accept project leads as we interview them.
How will I get matched with a project?
Starting this year project leads will have the opportunity to interview potential nonprofit partners that they are interested in working with. You will help Delta leadership review nonprofit applicants, and interview those you are most interested in working with. This way we hope to ensure project leads match well with their nonprofit partners in terms of interest, skillset, and working relationship with your nonprofit point of contact.
What data analysis software does Delta use?
For the Data Fellows program, we use the best tools based on the requirements of the project and the skills within the team. In the past, Delta has used R, Excel, Tableau, Stata, and SAS. Note that Delta does not provide any software. Previous project teams have relied on open source software such as R or pre-installed software on fellows’ computers (e.g., Excel). In your fellowship application, please feel free to describe what statistical or data analytics software you are more experienced with. You and your team will decide together what common language to use for the project.