Fellows are chosen on the basis of their contribution to improving New York City or another urban center, and their potential for further contribution. There are no educational prerequisites for the fellowship. Rather, Fellows are required to have demonstrated intellectual interest and capacity to benefit from the University's teaching and research resources. Each year, ten Revson New York Fellows are chosen to come to Columbia to pursue an eight-month program of study of their own design. Columbia provides its Faculty of Arts and Sciences, its professional schools, and its specialized institutes and research facilities-a learning environment in which talented adults can deepen their understanding of the complex problems of New York and other large cities and can strengthen their ability to deal with these problems.
Fellows also design and engage in weekly seminars and dinner discussions.