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Applications are open for the Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program for Fall 2027. The programme supports high-performing seniors and recent graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) pursuing an eligible, full-time, on-campus Master of Science degree at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS).
The fellowship combines academic funding with mentorship, professional development, community engagement and access to the Columbia network.
Location: New York, United States
Study mode: Full-time, on campus
Entry term: Fall 2027
Support: Full tuition for three consecutive semesters, student housing and a semesterly stipend
Early master’s deadline: 13 November 2026
Final master’s and fellowship deadline: 7 January 2027
What the fellowship covers
- A full tuition scholarship for three consecutive semesters: fall, spring and summer, in an eligible master’s programme.
- Student housing accommodations for those three consecutive terms of enrollment.
- A semesterly stipend.
- Internship and mentorship opportunities with SPS corporate or sector partners.
- Cohort activities, community engagement and career services.
A specific stipend amount is not listed. Applicants should review the fellowship terms and their chosen degree’s requirements before applying.
Who can apply?
- Current seniors at an HBCU, or recent HBCU graduates whose bachelor’s degree was conferred in 2025 or later.
- Applicants seeking admission to an eligible full-time, on-campus SPS Master of Science programme for Fall 2027.
- Applicants who complete both the master’s degree application and the HBCU Fellowship application.
International students who meet the HBCU qualifications may apply. They should also review Columbia’s international student requirements. This fellowship is specifically for eligible HBCU students and graduates.
Eligible master’s programmes
The programme lists the following study areas:
- Actuarial Science
- Applied Analytics
- Bioethics
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Human Capital Management
- Information and Knowledge Strategy
- Narrative Medicine
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- Nonprofit Management
- Political Analytics
- Project Management
- Sports Management
- Strategic Communication
- Sustainability Management
- Sustainability Science
- Technology Management
Check the current degree listing and admissions requirements for your chosen programme. Essay prompts, testing requirements and other application materials can differ by degree.
Fellowship application requirements
- Statement of purpose: No more than 750 words, addressing your motivation, community influences, leadership, civic engagement, HBCU experience and goals for the fellowship.
- Optional supplemental essay: No more than 300 words, offering additional context about your journey or the legacy you hope to leave.
- Video essay: No more than 90 seconds; the prompt is provided within the application.
- Letter of support: From a faculty or staff member at your HBCU.
- Resume: Include experiences relevant to the fellowship application.
Application deadlines
13 November 2026: The first master’s application deadline for fellowship-interested applicants. Applying by this date provides an accelerated master’s admission decision. The fellowship application is not required by this early deadline.
7 January 2027: The final deadline for both the Fall 2027 master’s programme application and the HBCU Fellowship application.
How to apply
- Choose an eligible full-time, on-campus SPS master’s programme and review its individual admissions requirements.
- Prepare and submit your master’s application.
- Complete the separate HBCU Fellowship application and its essays, video, letter of support and resume.
- Ensure both applications are submitted by the final deadline.
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