State of Black Entrepreneurship Fellowship Program 2027

The Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE) invites researchers to join its inaugural State of Black Entrepreneurship Fellows Program. Fellows receive $10,000 to pursue original research. They also contribute to CBE’s annual State of Black Entrepreneurship Report. Proposals are due on 16 November 2026.

Program Snapshot

• Host Organization: Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE)
• Partner: Brookings
• Funding: $10,000 research award
• Duration: About 12 months, from early 2027 to Fall 2027
• Eligibility: Scholars and applied researchers; doctoral students are encouraged
• Deadline: 16 November 2026

Focus Areas

• Capital formation and investment access
• Venture creation and business growth
• Entrepreneurial talent and pathway development
• Entrepreneurial ecosystems, institutions, and policy
• Emerging issues in entrepreneurship and economic mobility

About the Fellowship

The fellowship combines individual scholarship with shared research. Fellows take part in two components.

• First, each fellow contributes to one core domain of the annual report. Contributions may include data analysis, literature reviews, ecosystem research, and founder interviews.
• Second, each fellow pursues an independent project in one priority domain. Projects may include journal articles, working papers, dissertation research, policy analyses, or dataset development.
• Fellows attend workshops and feedback sessions during the year. They present their findings at the Fall 2027 symposium. CBE has partnered with Brookings to share fellows’ findings with policymakers.

What Fellows Receive

• A $10,000 award for research costs
• Workshops and feedback on study design
• Collaboration with CBE on the annual report
• A platform at the Fall 2027 symposium
• A chance to reach policymakers through Brookings, based on final deliverables

The budget cannot cover personal expenses or general office supplies.

Who Can Apply

CBE encourages applications from these groups:

• Doctoral students
• Postdoctoral scholars
• Faculty researchers
• Think tank and policy researchers
• Applied research professionals
• Researchers from HBCUs

Applicants should show strong research skills and interest in entrepreneurship and economic mobility. They must also commit to advancing knowledge on Black entrepreneurship. Interdisciplinary proposals are welcome.

Required Materials

• A CV
• A personal statement of up to one page
• A research proposal of up to four pages
• Supporting documents, such as collaboration letters or data access agreements

The proposal must state the problem and research questions. It must also explain significance, methods, data access, and a timeline. Include a detailed budget for the $10,000.

How to Apply

Submit your materials through CBE’s online application before the deadline. CBE will announce awards in December 2026. Fellows must deliver a draft paper, a project report, and a symposium presentation with slides.

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Conclusion

This fellowship funds rigorous research on Black entrepreneurship and connects it to policy. Eligible researchers should prepare their proposals and apply before 16 November 2026.

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