Last updated February 10, 2022
These fellowships are looking for underrepresented minorities, including women, people of color, Latinx, LGBTQ, and more to join their programs. These programs cover all career stages, from current undergraduates, Master’s, PhD, postdoctoral students, and professionals. They represent a number of disciplines, including engineering, research, health, the arts, and more. If one of these sounds exciting to you, make sure to bookmark it to your ProFellow account!
AAUW Selected Professions Fellowships
AAUW Selected Professions Fellowships provide opportunities for women to pursue graduate and first-professional degrees in architecture, computer and information sciences, engineering, and mathematics, fields where women traditionally have been underrepresented and where the employment outlook and earnings potential are strong. To address the underrepresentation of women of color in promising professions and encourage cultural diversity in these areas, fellowships in business administration, law, and medicine are also available, but only to women of color. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship in Education Research
The Council of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) established the fellowship program to provide support for doctoral dissertation research, to advance education research by outstanding minority graduate students, and to improve the quality and diversity of university faculties. This fellowship targets members of racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in higher education (e.g., African Americans, Alaskan Natives, American Indians, Asian Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders). Eligible graduate students for the AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship in Education Research will be at the writing stage of their dissertation by the beginning of the fellowship. Include a $19,000 stipend to study education, teaching, learning, or other education research topic.
ASC Ruth D. Peterson Fellowship for Racial and Ethnic Diversity
The Ruth D. Peterson Fellowships is designed to encourage students of color, especially those from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the field, to enter the field of criminology and criminal justice, and to facilitate the completion of their degrees. Applicants need not be members of the American Society of Criminology but individuals studying criminology or criminal justice issues are encouraged to apply. The recipients of the fellowships must be accepted into a program of doctoral studies and the award is for $6,000.
Brave New Fellows Program
The Brave New Fellows Program offers activist storytellers from communities of color and/or economically marginalized communities a 1 year, paid opportunity to work with Brave New Films and learn how to create and distribute media that makes a difference. The fellowship equips activists to use film to support their social justice work and prepares them for jobs in nonprofits, alternative media, and documentary filmmaking through hands-on experience. As compensation, each fellow receives $800/week for the duration of the fellowship, medical and dental insurance, and paid time off.
Cultural Vistas Fellowship
The Cultural Vistas Fellowship provides up to 15 U.S. university students the opportunity to enrich their academic learning through professional internship and immersion experiences in Argentina, Germany, or India. It includes a 6-week virtual seminar, 8-week internships abroad, orientation and reentry seminars in NYC, and post-program service projects. The fellowship awards cover the cost of travel, housing, and emergency medical insurance. Strong preference will be given to students historically underrepresented in international exchange.
Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program
The Payne Fellowship encourages the application of members of minority groups who have historically been underrepresented in international development careers and those with financial needs. The Payne Fellowship Program provides benefits valued at up to $93,000 over two years toward a two-year master’s degree, arranges internships in Washington D.C. and at USAID missions overseas, and provides professional development and support. Applicants must be college seniors or graduates looking to start graduate school in the fall of the year they apply, have GPAs of at least 3.2 and be U.S. citizens.
Environmental Fellows Program (EFP)
The Environmental Fellows Program (EFP) is a national program that seeks to diversify the environmental and conservation philanthropic sector by supporting the career aspirations of graduate students from traditionally underrepresented groups. Fellows are placed in a 12-week paid internship with one of our partner philanthropic organizations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA/DREAMers (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). International students are ineligible.
GEM Fellowship: MS Engineering and Science Fellowship
The goals of the GEM fellowships are to increase the number of underrepresented minority students (African Americans, American Indians, and Hispanic Americans) pursuing graduate degrees in engineering and natural science and to promote the benefits of a graduate degree within the industry. GEM MS Engineering Fellows receive a $4,000 living stipend per full-time semester up to 4 semesters ($8K per academic year – 3 quarters), up to two paid summer internships with a GEM Employer Member and full tuition and fees provided by a GEM University Member. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
GEM Fellowship: PhD and Engineering Science Fellowship
The goal of this program is to increase the number of minority students who pursue doctoral degrees in the natural science disciplines — chemistry, physics, earth sciences, mathematics, biological sciences, and computer science. Applicants to this program are accepted as early as their senior undergraduate year, as well as candidates currently enrolled in a Master’s of Engineering program and working professionals. Fellowships offered through this program are portable and may be used at any participating GEM Member University where the GEM Fellow is admitted. Full tuition and fees and a $16,000 stipend in the first academic year.
Health Policy Research Scholars
Health Policy Research Scholars is a national change leadership development opportunity for full-time second- or third-year doctoral students from marginalized backgrounds and/or populations underrepresented in specific doctoral disciplines. Scholars from diverse research areas such as economics, political science, psychology, environmental health, and others, with a focus on health policy, health equity and/or social justice are encouraged to apply. Participants complete their doctoral programs at their home institutions across the U.S. but are expected to participate in leadership development training, virtual coursework and mentoring, and attend at least one annual gathering (travel funded by the program). Scholars will also receive an annual stipend of up to $30,000 for up to four years and are also eligible for a competitive dissertation grant of up to $10,000.
Howard Mayer Brown Fellowship
The Howard Mayer Brown Fellowship intends to increase the presence of minority scholars and teachers in musicology, the fellowship supports one year of graduate work for a student at a U.S. or Canadian university who is a member of a historically underrepresented group, including, in the U.S., African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans, and, in Canada, aboriginal peoples and visible minorities (as defined by Canadian legislation). The fellowship carries a twelve-month stipend, currently set at $22,000. Applicants must have completed at least one year of full-time graduate work and intend to pursue a PhD.
Impact Entrepreneurship Graduate Fellowship
The Impact Entrepreneurship Fellowship is a two-year cohort experience for high-potential leaders from diverse backgrounds who are committed to creating social impact through entrepreneurship while pursuing a master’s degree at The New School. Fellows benefit from courses, mentorship, peer support, workshops, networking opportunities, and the opportunity to complete a Graduate Minor in Impact Entrepreneurship. They may receive an award of up to $10,000 over two years for participation in the Fellowship.
McKnight Doctoral Fellowships
The McKnight Doctoral Fellowship program is designed to address the under-representation of African-American and Hispanic faculty at colleges and universities in the state of Florida by increasing the pool of citizens qualified with PhD degrees to teach at the college and university levels. Up to 50 Fellowships are granted each year for students pursuing doctoral degrees in the State of Florida in the fields of Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology. Each fellowship is up to $17,000.
Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders Award
The Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders Award supports tenure-track junior faculty who have passed their midpoint tenure review—including those from underrepresented groups and others committed to eradicating disparities in their fields—so that they can both engage in and build support systems, networks, and affinity groups that make their fields and campuses more inclusive. The Award offers a $17,500 stipend—$10,000 to be used for summer research support and $7,500 for research assistance during the academic year. Emerging Faculty Leaders may be working in any field of the humanities or social sciences.
Momentum Fellowship
The Momentum Fellowship is designed to prepare professionals from underrepresented communities, particularly communities of color, for successful careers in the philanthropic sector through professional development, networking and mentoring opportunities. Fellows will be placed in temporary full-time positions at host foundations. Candidates should come from a community that is currently underrepresented in philanthropy, such as a community of color, LGBTQ, disability, or another group. Preference will be given to residents of the Pacific Northwest, with a willingness to commit to service in the region.
NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Addictions Counselors (Master’s)
Master’s fellowships of up to $15,000 for addictions counseling students studying for their master’s degree. Eligible applicants must commit to obtaining an addictions counseling credential, demonstrate knowledge of and experience in addictions/substance abuse services to one or more of the following: underserved minority communities, child/adolescent and geriatric groups, minority communities in inner cities and rural areas, minority persons (including LGBT), or those who are
veterans or are from military families. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply, especially those from underrepresented minority groups.
NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors (Master’s)
Master’s fellowships of $10,000 for students studying for a master’s degree in mental health counseling. Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with one or more of the following: underserved minority communities, child/adolescent and geriatric groups, minority communities in inner cities and rural areas, minority persons (including LGBTQIA2S+), or those who are veterans or are from military families. Eligible applicants must commit to teaching, administering services, conducting research, and/or providing direct mental health counseling to at least one of the above-listed populations. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an accredited counseling master’s program at the time of application.
NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors (Doctoral)
Fellowships of $20,000 for students pursuing a doctorate in counseling. Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with racially and ethnically diverse populations, and commit to providing mental health and/or substance abuse and addiction counseling services to underserved minority populations through direct practice or the training of direct practitioners. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are invited to apply with special consideration given to underrepresented minority group members. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral-level counseling program at the time of application.
Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (Master’s and Doctoral)
The Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (IMFP) is a newly awarded, grant-funded program from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The purpose of the fellowship is to identify, select, and support the training of ethnic minority graduate students who commit to significantly improving the quality of care provided to ethnic and racial minorities who have a mental or co-occurring mental and substance use disorder. The fellowship is directly related to efforts to reduce health disparities among ethnic minorities in the U.S. by filing a crucial need for mental health professionals in psychology, nursing, social work, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and substance use and addiction counseling.
Perez Research Fellowship
The Perez Research Fellowship is a 1-year fellowship for currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, or retired professionals, of color who want to learn about and contribute to the field of applied research and consulting. Fellows receive training in research methodologies, participate in projects, build their professional networks, and enjoy the opportunity to learn from a leading community-centered research and design firm. The fellowship is part-time and includes 10-20 hours per month of training and project work, plus a stipend of $6,000. Fellows must be able to travel to Oakland, CA for fellowship activities.
SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (SPRF)
The goal of the SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (SPRF) program is to promote fundamental research in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences; enhance the participation of underrepresented groups in science and engineering; provide an opportunity for independence and advanced training under the direction of a sponsor; and encourage doctoral-level scientists (who are not yet in full-time positions) to take advantage of the two-year fellowship to prepare for scientific careers in academia, industry or private sector, and government. Support may be requested for up to 24 months at a level of $69,000 per year and may be prorated accordingly.
Sesame Street Writers Room
Sesame Street Writers’ Room is a brand new fellowship opportunity from the creators of Sesame Street seeking fresh new writing talent from underrepresented racial backgrounds. In the intensive six-week program to be held at Sesame Workshop’s New York City office, participants will meet weekly with industry writers, producers, agents, and executives, and are expected to complete at least one script. The two participants whose scripts show the most promise will be offered creative development deals and mentored by Sesame Workshop executives. “Sesame Street Writers’ Room” is open to writers 21 and older.
The Camelback Fellowship
Camelback Ventures is offering a six-month fellowship focusing on coaching, capital, connections, community, and curriculum specifically for people of color and women or underrepresented entrepreneurs. At this time, the fellowship is focused on tackling these three impact areas first: 1) Education, 2) Conscious Tech, and 3) Local Economies. Multiple summits are held for the fellows to strengthen their professional connections and further their endeavors by refining their personal management style. Fellows are offered up to $40,000 in seed funding to create change in their communities.
Trustey Family STEM Teaching Fellows Program
Animated by the mission of the University of Notre Dame, the Center for STEM Education conducts and applies research to improve STEM teaching and learning for all students, especially students from underrepresented populations and students in Catholic schools. The Center seeks to increase student interest in, identity with, and learning of the STEM disciplines through unique programs, such as the Trustey Family STEM Teaching Fellows. This fellowship spans three summers and two school years to form STEM teachers for the middle grades. Fellows apply as school-based teams ranging from 3-5 members to enact a STEM impact plan.
University of Michigan President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The University of Michigan offers postdoctoral research fellowships in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), economics, and political science, coupled with faculty mentoring, professional development, and academic networking opportunities. The University seeks applicants whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education. The fellowship provides a salary of $50-60,000, depending on the field and level of experience, and $10,000 for research and professional development.
University of Michigan Society of Fellows
The University of Michigan invites recent PhD graduates in the arts, sciences, and humanities to become resident postdoctoral scholars in the Society of Fellows. The Society of Fellows is an interdisciplinary intellectual community in which the postdoctoral fellows are joined by senior fellows to share their work in progress. Fellowship appointments are for 3 years and include an annual stipend of $60,000 plus benefits including health insurance and additional research funding. International applicants are welcome and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
GBH Kids Scriptwriting Fellowship
The GBH Kids Scriptwriting Fellowship is a program designed to mentor promising, early-career writers from underrepresented communities in writing scripts for a GBH Kids animated series that focuses on STEM learning. The goal of the fellowship is to not only diversify the writers of the show but also the children’s media industry as a whole. The fellowship will take place virtually over 10 sessions and will cover all aspects of writing for GBH Kids, providing support on how to write stories that engage children in STEM learning and ways to further writers’ own career development.
White House Fellowship
The White House Fellows program is one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. White House Fellowships offer exceptional young men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the federal government. Fellows typically spend a year working as full-time, paid Fellows to senior White House Staff, Cabinet Secretaries, and other top-ranking government officials. Fellows also participate in an education program consisting of roundtable discussions with renowned leaders from the private and public sectors and trips to study U.S. policy in action both domestically and internationally.
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students
The Aspen Institute Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation (PSI) in Washington, DC offers the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship to one student three times annually. Candidates for this fellowship are highly motivated graduate or undergraduate students from underrepresented communities of color. The fellow must be able to work as an intern for 12-15 weeks in the Washington, DC office of the Aspen Institute during the academic semester in which the fellowship is awarded. Fellows will be compensated on an hourly basis in the fall, spring, and summer.
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