The Colin Powell Graduate Fellowship in Leadership and Public Service is a one-year program that enables graduate students to use their developing academic expertise to address urgent social justice issues for African Americans and other underserved communities.
The fellowship starts in the Fall semester each year.
Deadline to submit an application is March 31st, 2026.
Fellows work with a faculty or community sponsor to develop a thoughtful project that impacts the public. In addition, fellows attend seminars that meet regularly throughout the year, special events, and other professional development activities. applicant should be included. If applicable, sponsors should work in conjunction with the candidate to demonstrate that their project is in compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol and procedures. Sponsors must be willing to supervise the graduate fellow’s work throughout the year, providing guidance and suggesting relevant resources or skill-building tools as necessary. Sponsors may not offer support for more than one applicant per academic year.
Application Details
Submitted project proposals should be compelling, detailed, and well thought out. Applicants looking to submit a proposal should review the link below for tips on preparing a winning proposal.
Program Details
All applications must be submitted by March 31st, 2026. Please submit all your materials, with the exception of the recommendation letters, through the application form. Advise your recommenders to upload their letters via the relevant link by March 31st. We will confirm that we have received your application after submission.
Each fellow will receive a maximum of $12,000 for the academic year.
Prior to applying for the fellowship, students must secure a sponsor, identify a specific project, and work in conjunction with their sponsor to create a realistic and thoughtful work plan for the year. Sponsors may be a faculty member at City College or at the CUNY Graduate Center, or a professional in a leadership role at a nonprofit organization or government agency. If the project is already underway, a clear description of the roles and responsibilities to be carried out by the applicant should be included. If applicable, sponsors should work in conjunction with the candidate to demonstrate that their project is in compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol and procedures. Sponsors must be willing to supervise the graduate fellow’s work throughout the year, providing guidance and suggesting relevant resources or skill-building tools as necessary. Sponsors may not offer support for more than one applicant per academic year.
Fellows may decide, in conjunction with their sponsor, to pursue a project of their own creation, or assist their sponsor in an ongoing, established research project. Students can choose to design and execute an independent study of a particular social phenomenon, serve as a research associate for a community-based organization, or carry out predetermined responsibilities for a faculty-sponsored project that is already underway. All projects must address social justice issues impacting African Americans and other underserved populations.
Check this link for more information on what your proposal should include.
Please describe the project you hope to complete during the course of the fellowship. Your project proposal should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words and include the following:
Anna is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at The City College of New York. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Banard College. Anna is dedicated to increasing access to care and addressing disparities in practice for minoritized individuals. Her clinical interests in supporting and understanding minoritized populations also extends to her research. As a fellow, she will conduct research for her dissertation on the potential role of the Model Minority Myth on teacher assessment of ADHD behaviors in Asian American children.
Theodora Lowrey (she/her) is a second-year Master’s student in Public Administration. She has spent the past nine years working in the public sector, primarily in refugee resettlement, after earning her BA in Middle Eastern History and Music Composition from Bard College. As a transgender woman, she has a particular interest in queer migration and displacement, which she will explore further through her fellowship research. In her free time, Theodora is a musician and writer, playing in two bands and working on her first novel, a trans ghost story.
Contact Us
We’re here to assist! Whether you’re a student, alumni, or part of the community, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Office of Student Success for more information or support.
Office of Student Success
North Academic Center, Rooms 6/270 to 6/288
160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031
p. 212.650.8663
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am -5.00pm
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Yes! The fellowship is open to all full-time graduate students at the Colin Powell School, regardless of major, GPA, or citizenship status. However, note that you need to have enough time remaining at CCNY to complete your fellowship. This program starts in the fall and lasts one year.
Fellows receive a $12,000 scholarship to support their projects. You’ll be part of a cohort of like-minded students, who you’ll get to know well over the course of the fellowship. It’s great to list fellowships on your resume, since they indicate that you went above and beyond in college.
You’ll be responsible for ensuring that your project progresses as planned. The fellowship cohort meets monthly on Zoom during the school year.
Applications will open in mid-January and the deadline to apply will be in March. Fellowship terms begin at the start of the fall semester.
Attend the info sessions to learn more about each fellowship. Get started on your application early – don’t put this off until the last minute! Use as much space as allotted for your essay responses, since this will enable the readers to learn more about you and your interests. Ask a professor to provide feedback on your proposal and help you improve it. Talk to previous or current fellows about their experiences so that you have a better understanding of the program as you’re applying.
This program is ONLY open to GRADUATE STUDENTS who will be enrolled FULL-TIME at the Colin Powell School during the fellowship year.
Read these testimonials!
