The Impact Entrepreneurship Graduate Fellowship is a two-year cohort experience for high-potential leaders committed to creating social impact through entrepreneurship while pursuing a master's degree at The New School.
Poised to help our students challenge status-quo models and systems that have proved inadequate, we require applicants to exhibit a desire to learn in depth about the systemic issues faced by the communities they intend to support. Together we create new relationships and structures with communities to address the causes of problems and effect change. Our aim is to nurture a cohort of IEI fellows invested in creating models for economic inclusion while addressing social and racial justice.
Through the fellowship, we aim to catalyze the creation of inclusive economies by making entrepreneurship education, resources, and networks more accessible to students during the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
Key Benefits
- Fellows receive an award of $10,000 toward tuition for participation in the two-year fellowship ($5,000 per year), in addition to any merit-based scholarship they may receive from their degree program. Students are eligible for fellowship funding
in combination with merit-based scholarships not to exceed the cost of tuition.*
- Accepted fellows enroll in year-long Impact Entrepreneurship Fellowship cohort courses at The New School’s New York City campus during their first academic year.
- Regular cohort meetings and networking events are held throughout the academic year.
- Fellows have access to individual mentorship and advising sessions from experienced staff, faculty, and entrepreneurs.
- Fellows have the opportunity to complete a graduate minor by enrolling in additional entrepreneurship-focused courses.
*Applicants for admission to The New School are also strongly encouraged to submit the FAFSA to be considered for federal loans.
Fellowship Requirements & Funding
First-Year Requirements
Fellows must actively participate in the year-long Impact Entrepreneurship Fellowship during their first academic year. This includes enrolling in Intro to Impact Entrepreneurship in the first semester and Venture Lab in the second semester, earning a grade of B or higher in each course to remain in good standing.
Second-Year Eligibility
To continue into the fellowship’s second year and receive the $5,000 award, fellows must earn a B or higher in Venture Lab and submit a detailed service blueprint and timeline for their summer and second year. This plan must be approved by the fellowship co-directors before the end of the Venture Lab course.
Second-Year Structure
The second year is self-directed, with required check-ins and presentations or pitches to the community and mentors. Fellows must demonstrate measurable progress toward developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that is ready for testing or actively being tested. Consistent, timely communication with the fellowship co-directors is required throughout the full two-year program.
Enrollment & Funding
Fellows must make satisfactory progress toward their master’s degree and remain enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester. Part-time students are eligible to participate; however, fellowship funding of $5,000 per year is only available for the first two years, for a maximum total of $10,000.