Whitney Young, Jr. Fellowship

Boston University annually awards the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Fellowship to one current master’s or professional student, in recognition of the outstanding contributions made by Whitney M. Young, Jr., particularly in the fields of social work, urban studies, and Afro-American Studies.

Eligibility

This fellowship is available to continuing graduate students who:

  • Are U.S. citizens.
  • Are pursuing a master’s or professional degree in any department or school at Boston University.

Award

The fellowship provides up to one year of coverage for:

  • Full-time tuition coverage.
  • A $30,000 service-free stipend for living expenses.
  • Coverage of Student Services and Health & Wellness fees.
  • The Boston University Student Basic Medical Insurance Plan.

Application & Timeline:

Students cannot apply directly for this award. Nominations must come from their Department/Program Director.

All nominee materials will be submitted through the following Qualtrics portal. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, February 28, 2025.

Nomination Materials & Instructions:

The nominating department must provide all materials as a single collated PDF, including:

  1. Cover Memo from Nominator: A one-page document describing the nominee’s academic qualifications and commitment to social justice.
  2. CV/Resume: A current CV or resume.
  3. Transcript: The nominee’s most recent transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
  4. Letters of Recommendation: 2-3 letters highlighting the nominee’s leadership and dedication to social justice, especially in supporting underrepresented communities.
  5. Nominee’s Statement: A personal statement (2 pages max) from the nominee describing:
    • Academic and professional accomplishments.
    • Commitment to social justice, with a focus on social work, Afro-American studies, and urban studies.
      • Nominators should communicate with their nominees to ensure the written statement is included as part of the complete nomination packet.

Contact apgrad@bu.edu for any questions or concerns.