Social Impact Fellowship: FAQs

The Social Impact Fellowship seeks applications from students at Columbia University who meet the following criteria: 

• Are currently enrolled in a program at Columbia College, School of General Studies, School of Engineering and Applied Science, or Barnard College that will lead to a Bachelor’s degree.
• Will be rising juniors or seniors at the start of the fellowship
• Will have completed at least one full semester on Columbia University's campus by the start of the fellowship
• Are in good academic standing, as described by Columbia University’s Grading and Academic Standing policy
• Are passionate about expanding their knowledge of social impact topics and exploring various fields/career paths within and beyond their social impact areas of interest

In addition to the eligibility criteria above, the program is looking for students who:

• Possess clarity of purpose in what they hope to gain from the program and ways they may pursue their social impact interests during and after completing their studies at Columbia University
• Intend to contribute their skills, talents, and perspectives to the program as participants and as alumni
• Bring a diverse set of perspectives and experiences to the program

Yes. The Social Impact Fellowship admits students without regard to citizenship status.

The term “social impact” refers to individuals and organizations working to create a positive, equitable, and lasting change that addresses a societal injustice and/or challenge within a particular community.

The Social Impact Fellowship is a summer program for rising Columbia University juniors and seniors who desire to explore careers in social impact and use their talents to engage in and lead on solving complex global challenges. 

The fellowship is designed for students to:

• Develop the skills, qualities, and abilities for social impact leadership
• Expand their community
• Increase their exposure to social impact career paths and journeys and build skills to pursue their own social impact careers and areas of interest
• Deepen their understanding of collaborative, multi-sectoral, and interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving

Students will participate in an immersive five-week summer fellowship that brings together academic, skills-based, and experiential learned program that brings together academic, skills-based, and experiential learning designed by Columbia World Projects. This full-time program aims to give students exposure to key topics for effective social impact. Students will engage in a series of interactive workshops and sessions designed to build practical skills and deepen their understanding of collaborative, multi-sectoral, and interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. Workshop topics will include project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; collaborative problem-solving; and storytelling, among other topics. In 2026, the program will run from July 6 to August 7.

Since active and engaged participation is key to creating a meaningful experience, students should not plan to work or participate in another program during the five weeks of programing.

Program participants are expected to reside in New York City for the duration of the program. The fellowship will be held on-site at Columbia University’s Manhattanville Campus. The program will provide a stipend of $6,500 that students can use towards their living expenses in New York City.

The Social Impact Fellowship will follow Columbia University’s Academic Calendar when scheduling program activities.

Applications for summer 2026 fellowship were accepted from Feb. 16 through March 15, 2026. 

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed, and program participants will be notified by mid-May 2026.

Interested applicants must complete and submit an application through the Social Impact Fellowship online application system.

Interested applicants must complete and submit an application through the Social Impact Fellowship online application system. In the online form, applicants will be asked to provide information about their educational background, professional experience, and previous development opportunities. Additionally, applicants will be asked to submit the following:

• Résumé/curriculum vitae (2-page maximum, PDF only)
• Most recent transcript(s) to confirm eligibility to the program (official and unofficial transcripts accepted, PDF only)
• Responses to several open-ended questions that will help the selection committee understand an applicant’s interests, motivations, and goals for participating in the Social Impact Fellowship․ Responses may be submitted as paragraphs, videos, or other creative formats․
• Optional work samples. Applicants may upload up to three files or links that tell the selection committee more about the student, their experience, and interest in pursuing social impact initiatives and careers․ Examples include a personal website or blog; an article the applicant wrote or contributed to; a film or podcast the student produced; a photograph of something they designed or built; or anything else that may help the selection committee better understand the applicant.

Following the application deadline, a selection committee will review applications and interview shortlisted candidates. Students will be notified of their selection to the program in April.

During the five-week summer session, program participants will receive a stipend of $6,500 that can be used toward living expenses in New York City. 

Program participants will be responsible for their own summer housing and travel costs. 

Students participate in interactive and technical skill-building workshops, career roundtables, site visits, and cohort-building activities during the fellowship.  Programming typically begins at 10 a.m. and ends by 5 p.m.

Students with spouses/partners and/or children are welcome to apply, however,  the Social Impact Fellowship will only cover costs associated with the program participant and will not cover costs for family members or partners. Summer stipends are fixed at a single student rate. Additionally, family members will not be permitted to travel with program participants on any program-related trips or activities.

No. The Social Impact Fellowship is not a credit-bearing program. Students who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion from Columbia World Projects at Columbia University.

The Social Impact Fellowship is appropriate for individuals who have no, limited, or some professional experience in their social impact area of interest, including past participation in internships, fellowships, or leadership development programs. Through the workshop series, mentorship, and community of support the program provides, students will have an opportunity to deepen their knowledge, and build new skills and capacities to position them to effectively engage in and pursue social impact initiatives and careers.

Yes. Upon completion of the program, students will join a growing network of Social Impact Fellowship alumni who will have an opportunity to remain engaged with Columbia World Projects. Alumni will also benefit from opportunities to support their ongoing professional development.

If you need additional program information that is not available on this page or our other program pages, please email the fellowship administrators at [email protected].