In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on understanding and addressing mental health, recognizing its profound impact on individuals and society and the science behind it. In this article, we dive into 15 fellowships in mental health for STEM majors, those interested in social work, journalists covering emotional trauma, mental health counselors, and research examining health disparities. These programs also include self-wellness, working with military personnel, and a focus on adolescent mental health. These opportunities are open to a wide variety of students and career levels with benefits such as professional development, group learning, fully funded graduate programs, mentorship, and lectures from multiple field experts in mental health and beyond.
Be sure to bookmark any of these fellowships to your ProFellow account and apply to advance your knowledge and career in mental health.
1. Continuing Masters of Social Work Fellowships
The University of Berkley, California, Social Welfare Department offers multiple fellowships for newly admitted and continuing graduate students. Awards range from $500 to $10,000, and students are considered for an eligible fellowship at the time of admission. Continuing students receive automatic updates on funding availability. Areas of study include Adult Health, children and families, mental health, poverty, social services, and more.
2. Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship
The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship stands out as a distinctive seminar initiative catering to seasoned journalists in both senior and mid-career positions. The program enhances their understanding of emotional trauma and psychological injuries, fostering an improved approach to reporting on violence, conflict, and tragic events. The fellowship entails an immersive week of seminars hosted at Columbia University in New York City. Throughout the program, fellows engage in various activities, including briefings by renowned interdisciplinary trauma and mental health experts and discussions with journalist peers on ethical considerations, craft, and best practices. The fellowship is a global opportunity, welcoming exceptional journalists worldwide, irrespective of their media platform.
3. Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement (RISE) Fellowship
The Dr. James A. Ferguson RISE Fellowship is a comprehensive program supporting public health research and professional development. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the fellowship targets areas such as infectious diseases and health disparities, focusing on increasing interest in public health research careers among students from underrepresented populations. Fellows engage in research experiences as full-time (12 months), part-time (6 months), or summer participants. The program includes orientation at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, research projects in various health domains, and integration of clinical opportunities. Candidates must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be in health sciences graduate programs or recent graduates. Fellows receive a stipend, mentorship, and potential sponsorship for scientific meetings, offering exceptional educational and professional growth opportunities.
Read about Darnell Davis’ experience as a Ferguson RISE Fellow working in public health and epidemiology.
4. HBNU Fogarty Global Health Training Program
The HBNU Fogarty Global Health Fellowship, sponsored by the Fogarty International Center (FIC) and NIH collaborating institutes, is a transformative program connecting aspiring global health researchers with mentored opportunities in low-resource settings. Affiliated institutes in the HBNU consortium offer 12-month fellowships for pre- and postdoctoral students to engage in impactful research addressing critical health challenges. Areas of interest are HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases, mental health, maternal and child health, and nutrition. The leadership team ensures strategic oversight and high-quality mentorship, fostering a conducive training environment. The projects span sites across Africa, Asia, and South America, enriching the global health research landscape.
5. Health Coverage Fellowship
The Health Coverage Fellowship is a specialized program dedicated to enhancing the quality of healthcare reporting by providing intensive training to selected journalists from various media backgrounds. Focusing on critical healthcare issues, the nine-day residential fellowship immerses twelve journalists annually in a comprehensive curriculum. The program covers public health, mental health, the uninsured, cost management, and quality improvement and includes prominent speakers in health, policy, and research. The program’s impact extends beyond its duration, with ongoing support, follow-up sessions, and mentoring provided to fellows upon their return to their respective media outlets.
6. Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program
The Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (IMFP) stands as a recently granted initiative generously funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This program addresses health disparities among ethnic minorities in the U.S. It responds to the pressing need for mental health professionals in various fields, including psychology, nursing, social work, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and substance use and addiction counseling. At its core, the fellowship aims to identify, select, and support the training of ethnic minority graduate students. These individuals are committed to enhancing the quality of care for ethnic and racial minorities experiencing mental health or co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. Applicants should note separate requirements depending on their educational experience.
7. NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors (Doctoral)
Doctoral fellowships totaling $20,000 are available for students undertaking a doctorate in counseling. Applicants should showcase expertise and experience with racially and ethnically diverse populations to qualify. This opportunity is also open to veterans or individuals from military families. Successful candidates commit to delivering mental health and/or substance abuse and addiction counseling services to underserved minority populations through either direct practice or the training of practitioners. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply, with a particular emphasis on providing special consideration to underrepresented minority group members. Eligible applicants must be in an accredited doctoral-level counseling program at the time of application.
8. NBCC Foundation Military Scholarship (Master’s)
The NBCC Foundation’s 2024 Military Scholarships support service members, veterans, and their spouses pursuing careers in professional counseling. With a focus on increasing the availability of counselors for military personnel and families, these scholarships provide financial assistance to students enrolled in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited master’s-level counseling program. Eligible applicants include veterans, active-duty U.S. military service members, and their spouses. This program offers five scholarships, each valued at $8,000, and fellows must commit to board certification and provide mental health services to military veterans and families.
9. New Sector Alliance Leadership Longevity Fellowship
The Leadership Longevity Fellowship is a comprehensive 6-12 month program tailored to support mission-driven leaders in thriving. Through a longevity-focused approach, participants engage in a cohort-based fellowship that fosters sustainable skills and mindsets, enabling them to optimize their impact and navigate the challenges of their roles effectively. The program, emphasizing network building, wellness, design thinking, and career resilience, equips leaders with tools to enhance their influence while avoiding burnout. It includes two in-person retreats with covered expenses, virtual training sessions, one-on-one and group coaching from health and wellness specialists, and a supportive community of peers. Eligible leaders must be actively employed by a mission-driven organization, possess mid-career status, and have at least five years of combined experience in mission-driven employment.
Learn how Jackie McKinney to Beat Burnout with the New Sector Alliance fellowship!
10. Combe Trust Fellowship
The Combe Trust Fellowship seeks to foster interdisciplinary research, promote international scholarly collaboration, and facilitate networking initiatives between visiting Fellows and academics affiliated with the Centre for Theology and Public Issues (CTPI). The fellowship invites applications for visits lasting two to three months from senior researchers in diverse fields such as public theology, religion and religious education, physiology and health, Scots law, peacebuilding, prison reform, psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience, moral philosophy, natural sciences, or the arts (e.g., theatre, film, dance, visual arts). Financial support covers travel and accommodation expenses, with a maximum funding limit of £3,900.
11. Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Child Psychology Graduate Student Fellowship
The Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Fellowship, sponsored by APF, is an opportunity that provides $25,000 in financial support for graduate research projects and scholarships in child psychology. The fellowship aims to nurture emerging scholars in various psychology disciplines, including child-clinical, pediatric, school, educational, and developmental psychopathology. Eligible candidates should have completed doctoral candidacy, demonstrated research competence, and showcased a commitment to their specific field of study. The evaluation criteria include the alignment with program goals, the significance of the contribution, the quality of the proposed work, and the applicant’s demonstrated scholarship and research competence.
12. Health Policy Research Scholars
The Health Policy Research Scholars program is a national leadership initiative for doctoral students beginning their second year of study who want to leverage their research to improve communities by promoting health and equity. While the program’s name suggests a focus on health policy research, it actively seeks doctoral students from diverse fields whose research can impact health and well-being. The program fosters a Culture of Health, extending the potential for everyone to lead longer, healthier lives. For students from underrepresented and historically marginalized backgrounds, the program emphasizes diversity to bring unique perspectives to research. Scholars in this program receive annual awards of up to $30,000 for a maximum of four years, along with training in policy development, leadership, communication, and health equity. Alumni become part of a supportive network of change agents across sectors and disciplines.
Check out our interview with fellow Angel Reyes, U.S. Army aibrone medic turned health policy researcher.
13. Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Program
The Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Program supports early- and mid-career researchers dedicated to enhancing global child and youth learning and development. Open to various fields, it encourages interdisciplinary work and focuses on understanding learning variability, addressing digital technology impacts, and improving education policies. The foundation is particularly interested in questions about learner variability, reducing inequalities, leveraging data for informed decisions, and enhancing learning outcomes in diverse student groups. Fellowships are awarded to researchers within ten years of their PhDs, providing a salary and research-related needs. Previously funded projects include children’s mental health research.
14. MindCORE Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
The Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Scholars at MindCORE accepts applications from recent PhD graduates in psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, computer science, or related disciplines. Based at the University of Pennsylvania, MindCORE is an interdisciplinary initiative focused on comprehending human intelligence and behavior. This fellowship serves as a launchpad for scholars to develop their research programs. Successful candidates receive a salary, relocation allowance, health insurance, and a modest research budget. Awards can be renewed for up to 3 years. Some MindCORE advisors are currently researching topics related to mental health.
15. NEH Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan
The Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan is a collaboration between the Japan-United States Friendship Commission (JUSFC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). It aims to advance Japanese studies in the U.S. and foster scholarly exchange. This program, encouraging research on modern Japanese society, political economy, and U.S.-Japan relations, spans various disciplines. It particularly welcomes applications from junior scholars within seven years of their terminal degree. With a maximum award of $60,000 for 6-12 months, the fellowship supports the production of scholarly resources like articles, books, digital materials, translations, and editions. Previously funded projects include those on mental health.
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