Through the NCEDA Foundation Fellowship Program, graduate students gain hands-on experience working with economic development organizations across North Carolina. The program provides fully funded opportunities for Fellows to contribute to meaningful projects, build professional connections, and gain a better understanding of economic development in our state.
Apply Now to Host a Fellow in 2027!
Applications are now open for Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) interested in hosting a Fellow through the NCEDA Foundation Fellowship Program in summer 2027! This fully funded opportunity allows EDOs to bring a graduate student on board to assist with meaningful projects while helping develop the next generation of economic development professionals.
October 6 – 30: Host EDO Application Period
October 13, 11 am – Noon: Host EDO Information Session
November 13: Host EDOs Selected and Notified
December 3: Host EDOs Announced / Fellows Application Period Begins
January 29, 2027: Fellows Application Deadline
February 2027: Fellows Interviews and Announcement
Mid-May 2027: Fellowships Begin
Mid-August 2027: Fellowships End
This annual summer fellowship is designed especially to serve underserved and distressed areas of North Carolina, while advancing economic development across the state.
Graduate students gain work experience and support our mission to create the next generation of economic developers.
Organizations receive additional staff to achieve clearly defined economic development goals in their communities.
Fellowships begin in mid-May and conclude in mid-August. Fellows work for 10 to 12 weeks, approximately 40 hours per week.
For students interested in applying, fellows are expected to:
Be graduate students currently enrolled at a North Carolina university or college, preferably in economic development-related programs such as public administration, business, city and regional planning, or economics.
Complete a project developed by their host economic development organization, provide day-to-day support, and participate in learning and networking experiences.
Attend the NCEDA Fall Conference and present an overview of their experience.
Student benefits include:
A wage or stipend for approximately 40 hours per week during the contract period.
Complimentary registration and lodging to attend NCEDA’s Annual Conference (June) and Fall Conference (October), during the calendar year of their fellowship.
Professional development opportunities, such as the ECU Economic Development Training Academy, the IEDC Basic Economic Development Course at UNC Chapel Hill, or other programs pertinent to the fellowship project and the fellow’s interest.
Work experience and a broader professional network.
For economic development organizations interested in hosting a fellow:
You should submit an application that outlines your proposed project and how the fellow’s work contributes to your economic development goals.
The application period is open through October. Hosts are selected and announced in early December.
All activities and wages associated with hosting a fellow are funded by the Foundation.
Priority is given to helping underserved and rural Tier 1 counties advance their economic development through the additional assistance a fellow can provide.
Interested in hosting or being a Fellow?
Reach out to Blair Kennedy.
