The Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship Program is a paid professional development and leadership initiative designed to empower college students and recent graduates with disabilities. The program focuses on building practical skills, leadership capacity, and career readiness while honoring the legacy of Dinah F.B. Cohen.

This fellowship is particularly committed to supporting young adults with disabilities, especially those who belong to multiply-marginalized groups—individuals who experience overlapping forms of discrimination and social exclusion due to multiple minority identities.

The program provides meaningful hands-on experience, mentorship, and financial compensation through a structured short-term fellowship engagement.

Overview of the Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship Program

The fellowship aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional experience for individuals with disabilities by offering structured exposure to real-world work environments.

Key objectives include:

Strengthening professional and leadership skills among participants
Providing equitable access to career development opportunities
Supporting inclusion of people with disabilities in leadership spaces
Promoting representation of multiply-marginalized communities in professional environments

Participants are selected through a competitive national review process and engage in a short-term, paid fellowship experience.

Fellowship Structure and Duration

Selected fellows will participate in a structured professional program that includes:

Approximately 65 total hours of fellowship work
Duration: September to December 2026
Weekly commitment: 5–6 hours per week
Program length: Approximately 12 weeks

This flexible structure allows participants to balance academic, professional, or personal commitments while gaining meaningful experience.

Financial Support and Stipend

The fellowship is a paid opportunity. Upon successful completion of all fellowship requirements, participants will receive:

A total stipend of $1,500

This compensation is provided as recognition of the fellow’s time, contributions, and successful completion of the program.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

General Eligibility

Must be a college student or a recent graduate
Must have a documented disability
Must be eligible for employment in the United States without requiring visa sponsorship or visa approval

Additional Considerations

Strong encouragement for individuals from multiply-marginalized backgrounds
Applicants from groups experiencing overlapping systems of discrimination are highly encouraged to apply

Selection Process and Timeline

The fellowship follows a structured national review process:

Application Deadline: July 31st, 2026 at 9:00 PM EST
Review Period: August to September 2026
Notification Period: Late August to early September 2026
Fellowship Period: September to December 2026

Applicants are evaluated through a competitive selection process, and only selected candidates will be invited to participate.

Benefits of the Fellowship

This program offers several professional and personal development advantages, including:

Paid professional experience in a structured environment
Leadership development opportunities
Exposure to real-world organizational work
Skill-building in communication, teamwork, and project execution
Networking opportunities with professionals and peers
A $1,500 completion stipend
Enhanced career readiness for future employment opportunities

Application Information

Interested candidates can apply through the official fellowship page:

Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship Program Application

Applicants are encouraged to prepare strong application materials highlighting their academic background, lived experiences, leadership potential, and motivation for joining the fellowship.

Why This Fellowship Matters

This fellowship is more than a short-term professional opportunity. It represents a commitment to inclusive leadership development by ensuring that individuals with disabilities—especially those from underrepresented and multiply-marginalized backgrounds—have access to structured, paid career-building experiences.

By participating, fellows not only gain skills but also contribute to a broader movement toward equity, representation, and inclusion in professional spaces.

Apply here

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