Who this is for: This fellowship is only for seniors and recent graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. Columbia confirms that international students are eligible, so Africans studying at, or recently graduated from, an HBCU such as Howard, Spelman, Morehouse, Hampton or Florida A&M can apply. If you didn’t attend an HBCU, see the related opportunities at the end.
The Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) in New York offers full tuition for a one-year Master of Science, plus student housing, a stipend every semester, and internships and mentoring with corporate partners. It’s for the Fall 2027 intake.
The early deadline is 13 November 2026, which gets you a faster admissions decision. The final deadline is 7 January 2027.
At a Glance
| University | Columbia University School of Professional Studies, New York |
| Who can apply | HBCU seniors and graduates from 2025 onwards (international students eligible) |
| Funding | Full tuition for 3 semesters, student housing and a stipend each semester |
| Start | Fall 2027 (full-time, on campus) |
| Application fee | Waived for eligible applicants |
| Deadlines | Early: 13 Nov 2026 · Final: 7 Jan 2027 |
Benefits
- Full tuition scholarship for three consecutive semesters (fall, spring, summer)
- Student housing for all three terms
- A stipend every semester
- Internships and mentoring with SPS corporate and sector partners
- Cohort activities, community engagement and career services
- No fee for the fellowship application, and the master’s application fee is waived for eligible applicants
Eligible Master of Science Programmes
- 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
Eligibility
- You’re a current HBCU senior or a recent HBCU graduate, with your bachelor’s degree awarded in 2025 or later.
- You’re applying to a full-time, on-campus Master of Science programme at Columbia SPS for Fall 2027.
- International students are eligible. Check Columbia’s International Students and Scholars Office for visa requirements.
What You Need to Submit
You must submit two applications: one for the master’s programme and one for the HBCU Fellowship.
- Statement of purpose (max 750 words): what inspired you to apply, how your community shaped you, your leadership experience, and the legacy you hope to leave
- Video essay (max 90 seconds). The prompt appears in the application.
- Letter of support from a faculty or staff member at your HBCU
- CV showing all relevant experience
- Plus the standard master’s application for your chosen programme, which has its own essay prompts and test requirements
How to Apply
- Choose one of the eligible M.S. programmes and read its admission requirements.
- Submit your master’s application, ideally by 13 November 2026 for a faster decision.
- Submit the HBCU Fellowship application, with your statement, video, letter and CV, by 7 January 2027.
Official Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program page · Application and eligibility
Tips for African HBCU Students
- Tell your full story. Explain how your African roots and your HBCU community have shaped your leadership.
- Ask for your HBCU letter early, from a professor or staff member who knows your work well.
- Keep the video short and personal. Practise until you’re under 90 seconds.
- Plan your visa. You’ll need an F-1 for the new programme, and F-1 students on STEM programmes may get OPT work rights afterwards.
