Columbia University HBCU Fellowship Program: Empowering Future Leaders
The Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) launched a fellowship program for Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduates. This initiative aims to prepare talented and high-performing HBCU graduates to innovate, drive community impact, and advance their professional industries through program engagement, mentorship, and career development opportunities.
A Pioneering Initiative
In 2017, the Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) became the first Ivy League institution to launch a formal fellowship for top graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The result was the Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program, a full scholarship for students to pursue a master’s degree at SPS.
Mission and Goals
The program’s mission is to prepare talented, high-performing HBCU graduates to lead, innovate, drive community impact, and advance their professional industries through program engagement, mentorship, and career development opportunities. The Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program has graduated more than 100 fellows who are excelling in a range of fields-from sustainability to risk management to film. Fellows have secured full-time opportunities at top businesses and organizations worldwide such as Goldman Sachs, the NBA, and Walt Disney Studios. Others have gone on to medical school, pursued doctorates, or won prestigious awards such as the Schwarzman Scholarship in Beijing.
Application Details
The Fall 2027 application will become available by September. The Master of Science (M.S.) application and HBCU Fellowship Program application are due January 7th, 2026. Both applications must be submitted and completed for consideration. To apply for the Master’s Program, visit the Master's Degree Admissions Page and carefully read the Application Requirements for the program of interest. All HBCU students or alumni who meet the qualifications are welcome to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
Students must meet current HBCU seniors or recent graduates to be eligible for the fellowship.
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Opportunities for HBCU Students and Graduates
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a crucial role in shaping the future of education and career opportunities for African American students. A diverse array of fellowships are tailored specifically for HBCU students and graduates, including mentorship programs and fully-funded scholarships, spanning various fields such as journalism, venture capital, cybersecurity, basketball business, public history, museum management, research, and education.
Specific Fellowship Programs
Several organizations and institutions offer specialized fellowship programs aimed at supporting HBCU students and graduates in various fields. These programs provide financial assistance, mentorship, training, and networking opportunities to help participants achieve their academic and professional goals.
The HBCU Changemaker Fellowship: Offered through the Master of Arts in Social Innovation program at the Kroc School, this fellowship targets current HBCU seniors or recent graduates. It aims to cultivate leaders who drive innovative solutions for creating more peaceful and just societies, providing comprehensive training to address complex social issues effectively and contribute positively to their communities.
HBCUvc VC Training and Internship Program: This six-month, culturally-affirming experience prepares Black graduate students and those from marginalized communities for careers in venture capital. It equips participants with practical skills, mentorship, and a supportive community, placing them in paid internships with top venture capital firms. HBCUvc has negotiated a competitive summer salary of $14,000 for the 10-week internship with all partner firms.
Milken Institute HBCU Strategic Initiative and Fellowship Program: This transformative opportunity addresses the underrepresentation of HBCUs in the investment industry. The program equips sophomore undergraduate students with essential finance knowledge through an eight-week virtual curriculum in partnership with ViableEDU. It fosters professional development through networking opportunities and discussions with industry leaders.
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Hennessy Fellows Program: A collaboration between Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Hennessy, this program provides high-achieving graduate students from HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) with corporate development experiences and financial assistance. It offers online training forums, an immersive boot camp, networking opportunities, and exposure to corporate, social, and economic systems. Selected fellows receive up to $20,000 per academic year for two years and a one-time $10,000 stipend.
UC-HBCU Initiative Fellowship: This collaboration effort at UCLA offers six-year funding packages for incoming PhD students as part of the University of California-Historically Black Colleges and Universities Initiative. citizens, permanent residents, international students, or undocumented students are eligible. The fellowship covers full tuition and fees and an annual stipend. Additionally, UCOP provides a $1,000 stipend for professional development activities.
HBCU Research Fellowship: This fellowship encourages young people to reach their highest potential, create the courage to embrace risk and change on their way to becoming future global leaders, and ensure that the voyage is accessible to all students regardless of financial limitations. Recipients are expected to embody the spirit of the Semester at Sea mission and maintain the highest standards of conduct and academic participation.
HBCU Digital Media Fellowship: This offers hands-on experience and training in digital journalism to up to five students from HBCUs. Fellows work closely with industry mentor Michael Grant, Founder of Get Current Studio, to produce multimedia packages for the annual Online News Association (ONA) Conference. They receive complimentary conference registration, a one-year student membership, networking opportunities, and training from industry leaders like Microsoft.
Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship Program: This program aims to recruit and retain top talent in intelligence and cybersecurity for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Designed to support DHS’s mission, the program offers opportunities for qualified students to work alongside experienced professionals, gain hands-on technical experience, attend professional development events, and expand their networks at national conferences. citizens and enrolled in STEM-related fields at Minority Serving Institutions, particularly HBCUs, will undergo a 12-week immersive experience collaborating on projects with subject matter expert mentors. Selected participants will receive compensation and may be eligible for tuition assistance.
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NBA HBCU Fellowship Program: This program offers career development opportunities in the business of basketball for undergraduate and graduate students from HBCUs. Fellows, chosen by NBA teams and the league office, gain experience in various departments such as ticket sales, corporate partnerships, IT, social responsibility, and marketing.
Awards for Faculty Program by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): This program aims to enhance humanities research opportunities for faculty and staff at HBCUs. It supports scholarly research projects across various humanities disciplines, offering project outcomes and duration flexibility. Projects may include developing books, articles, digital resources, course materials, or community-focused initiatives.
Fellowship for HBCU Graduates: This offers a two-year appointment providing advanced training and scholarly support in public history, museum management, outreach programming, and partnership building. Fellows receive a generous stipend of $55,000 annually and additional funding for individual health insurance and research/conference travel. Based in Washington, DC, the program involves an 18-month residency at a museum and a six-month practical application period at a local organization focused on African American history and culture. Eligible applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, with at least one degree from an HBCU, and adhere to the Smithsonian Institution’s health and safety guidelines.
AECOM HBCU Summer Design Fellowship: This offers students and recent HBCU graduates a unique opportunity to gain experience in architecture, urban planning, and interior design. Through this competitive program, fellows engage in hands-on projects with community-based organizations to address pressing architectural challenges. They also volunteer and contribute to community initiatives, gaining valuable insights into their role in shaping urban spaces. Successful fellows may receive full-time employment opportunities upon graduation.
Virginia HBCU Scholars Fellowship: This supports humanities research at Virginia’s HBCUs, focusing on BIPOC heritage, stories, and communities. Sponsored by the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, fellows gain access to resources at the University of Virginia and the Library of Virginia. With a stipend of up to $5,000 monthly for 9 months, fellows can research, network with experts, and share their work through various platforms, including public radio and digital publications. Eligible applicants, including current doctoral students, alumni, and faculty, can pursue projects spanning human-centered social sciences, traditional humanities, and public and digital humanities.
Kirchner Fellowship: This aims to fortify impact investing ecosystems in undercapitalized regions by training and empowering a diverse cohort of investors to channel equity investments into early-stage companies. With a focus on sustainable solutions, fellows gain autonomy in investment decisions, particularly targeting companies leveraging groundbreaking technologies. The program hones the skills of the next generation of impact investors, equipping them to comprehend and effectively invest in early-stage ventures with social responsibility at their core. Fellows remain enrolled in their universities, receiving academic credit for their participation.
Richard A. Long/HBCU Fellowship: This offers 2-3 short-term research fellowships annually to graduate students and faculty from HBCUs. Valued between $500-$1000, the fellowship assists with travel and residence expenses in Atlanta during the fellowship period. Applicants must be enrolled in or teach at an HBCU more than 50 miles from Emory University. The fellowship supports research in the Rose Library’s African American collections. Recipients must fulfill a minimum 5-day residency and submit a report of their experiences for the Rose Library Following the Fellows blog.
Heinz College Scholarship: Prospective master’s students who have graduated from an HBCU or a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) member school recognized by HACU can apply for a full-tuition (100%) scholarship to attend Heinz College. Applicants must specify their undergraduate institution in their application for admission to Heinz College.
Success Stories
The Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program has a strong track record of producing successful graduates. Fellows have secured full-time opportunities at top businesses and organizations worldwide, including Goldman Sachs, the NBA, and Walt Disney Studios. Others have gone on to medical school, pursued doctorates, or won prestigious awards such as the Schwarzman Scholarship in Beijing.
Additional Resources
HBCU Students and Graduates can find even more opportunities in the ProFellow Database.
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