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
• 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 and academic year-long 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 participate in an immersive program that brings together academic, skills-based, and experiential learning, designed by Columbia World Projects. A cornerstone of the program is a full-time, five-week summer session, which aims to give students exposure to key topics for effective social impact. During the summer session, students will participate 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; human-centered design; collaborative problem-solving; and storytelling, among other topics. In 2024, the summer session will run from July 8 to August 9.

During the academic year, program participants will:

• Gain exposure to the work of Columbia World Projects 
• Meet and learn from social impact leaders, including participants in the Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University, who are actively addressing challenges in communities and countries around the world
• Participate in gatherings with thought leaders from a variety of sectors and fields
• Be paired with a mentor 
• Complete and present a capstone project at the end of the spring semester that utilizes a human-centered design approach to problem solving to address a critical societal challenge

While not a full-time commitment during the academic year, students are expected to participate in four to five convenings per semester, meet periodically with their mentor, and be available to participate in program activities in-person during that time.

No. Program participants must commit to participating in the full Social Impact Fellowship program, which includes a full-time, five-week summer session, followed by an academic year of experiential learning opportunities, gatherings with thought leaders and social impact innovators, mentorship, and a capstone project.

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 the summer session component of the program․ Students will receive a $4,800 stipend during the summer session.

Program participants are expected to reside in New York City for the duration of the program. The summer session will be held on-site at Columbia University’s Manhattanville Campus as long as it is safe to do so. The program will provide housing for students who need it for the duration of the summer session and cover the cost of travel to and from New York City. 

During the academic year, students must continue to be available to participate in program activities held at Columbia University and are responsible for their own housing and travel. Columbia University will continue to monitor the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic as it plans for the 2023-2024 academic year.

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

Applications for 2024-2025 cohort are being accepted from January 29 through April 8, 2024. 

Submit your application.

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed, and program participants will be notified in April 2024.

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 $4,800
• Housing within walking distance of Columbia University for students who need it
• Cost of travel to and from New York City

As full-time Columbia University students, program participants will be responsible for their own housing and travel costs during the academic year beginning with the fall semester.

The program will provide housing during the summer session (July-August) for students who need it. Program participants will not be required to live in housing provided by the program if they have made other housing arrangements for the summer.

Students reside at the International House, located within walking distance from Columbia World Projects. Students participate in interactive and technical skill-building workshops, career roundtables, site-visits, and cohort-building activities during the 6-week summer session.  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.

The program will work with students to identify and pair them with a mentor based on their career and social impact interests.  Students may be paired with a participant in the Obama Foundation Scholars Program.

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 summer session, 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].