FAQ
Do I have to drop out of school?
No. Unlike some other fellowships you may have heard of, we're not asking you to leave college. You just need to be a full-time student at a four-year US university while you apply.
Can I apply as a team?
Yes — if your prank was a group effort, one person should submit on behalf of the team and list teammates in the description. The grant is awarded to the submitting applicant, who's responsible for splitting it with the team.
What counts as a "prank" or "performance art"?
Broadly: an elaborate joke, stunt, installation, hoax, or staged event designed to surprise, delight, or provoke a reaction — built with real planning and craft, not just a dumb dare. If you're not sure, apply and let us decide.
What's actually disqualifying?
Anything that seriously breaks the law and causes real harm, anything where someone gets physically hurt, and anything involving harassment or sexual harassment. Minor campus rule-bending, light trespassing-adjacent mischief, and classic prank-war chaos are exactly the spirit of this — just don't hurt anyone or cross a real legal line with real victims.
Does my submission stay private?
Yes. All submissions are confidential by default. We don't publish, share, or forward your video or description without asking you first.
Are you a legal shield?
No. Don't do anything actually illegal to apply — bending norms is exactly what we're looking for, breaking laws is not. And if we ever get subpoenaed over something you submitted (say, you put a police car on top of the MIT dome and are still claiming credit — one of the all-time greats), we'll have to give up your information. Sorry.
Who judges the submissions?
Judges include Sam Lessin, Eric Antonow, Gabe Whaley, Adrian Aoun, Rob Denning, Ricky Van Veen, Joey Flynn, Casey Neistat, Riley Walz, and a bunch of other awesome folks (1 more slot TBA). Judging is based on cleverness, merit, humor, and taste. If you're already out of college but love this kind of thing and want to put yourself up for the judging panel, DM @lessin on Twitter/X. We're looking to expand to 8-10 totally awesome people in the coming days :) — this will be very fun.
What does the Fellowship actually include, beyond the money?
Winners get a one-year fellowship: the cash grant, direct introductions to leaders in tech and finance, and access to a private speaker series throughout the year.
When do winners get picked?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Each year's winners are announced no later than June 1st (the end of the school year). Apply any time — early is better.
Is there an Official Rules / Terms page?
Yes — the full Official Rules & Terms, including eligibility, the liability release and video/likeness license every applicant agrees to, prize/tax details, and the entity behind the Fellowship, are at lessinfellowship.com/terms.
I have a question that's not here.
Email [email protected].