Active Minds Emerging Scholars Fellowship Application

Active Minds' Emerging Scholars Fellowship, generously supported by the Scattergood Foundation and Macy’s is designed to mobilize small groups of two or three (2-3) college/university students to develop and disseminate their own action research findings to address mental health disparities in Black, Indigenous, and/or person of color (BIPOC) communities. The fellowship provides funding, mentorship, and a supportive scholar network to student researchers to complete independent mental health projects and take action on any recommended findings. The fellowship will start in January 2026 and run through September 2026. This fellowship is not limited to individuals studying or majoring in behavioral health, and welcomes proposals from all disciplines (i.e. biology, sociology, public health, graphic design, etc.).

To support their work, scholars will be awarded a $1,000 stipend and ability to receive an additional $250 in reimbursement for project material expenses. Scholars will be expected to attend weekly meetings to progress their project, the meeting schedule will be released upon acceptance. The full detailed program description and application details may be accessed at

activeminds.org/programs/emerging-scholars-fellowship/.

Submit group application by Monday, November 3, 2025, 11:59pm EST.

Eligibility criteria:

Between 18-25 years of age
Enrolled at a U.S. college or university
Not graduating in Spring 2026
Available from January-September 2026 for scholar sessions
Interest in addressing mental health disparities in BIPOC communities.
Have not previously participated in the Emerging Scholars Program
Internet access and video call capabilities

Selection criteria:

Identified a local advisor at the college/university to support the research project for the duration of the program
Have not yet obtained IRB approval for the research project (or may not need it).
Completed letter of recommendation for each applicant from a personal mentor or
campus advisor who can help us better appreciate your aptitude as an Emerging Scholar.
Submitted an updated resume

By checking this box, I am confirming: (1) I have read the information provided, and (2) I meet the eligibility criteria for the Emerging Scholars Fellowship as indicated above.

Yes, I confirm.

Screening Questions

Applicants for the Emerging Scholars Fellowship must be between the ages of 18 and 25.

Select the age range of Applicant 1

Applicant 1 is not within the targeted age range. You cannot proceed. However, if there are at least two applicants between the ages of 18 and 25, you may refresh the application and continue with only those eligible applicants.

Select the age range of Applicant 2

Applicant 2 is not within the targeted age range.

You have provided two participants, but Participant Two does not meet the age eligibility requirement. Do you have another eligible individual who can complete your two-person group?

Thank you. Please refresh the page and provide the age ranges for both eligible participants.

Is there a third applicant in your group who meets the age eligibility requirements?

Select the age range of Applicant 3

Applicant 3 is not eligible due to age requirements. Please proceed with Applicants 1 and 2 only. You will not be able to submit information for Applicant 3, and they will not be included in this program.

If you wish to continue with only two applicants, please update your response to the question ‘Is there a third applicant in your group who meets the age eligibility requirements?’ to ‘No’.

Thank You for Your Interest

Unfortunately, your group is not eligible to apply for the Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program, as all participants do not meet the program’s age requirement.

If you believe this is an error or have questions about the eligibility criteria, please contact us at emergingscholars@activeminds.org.

We appreciate your interest and encourage you to learn more about how you can get involved with Active Minds here: https://www.activeminds.org/get-involved/take-action/

Preparation Checklist Before Proceeding

Before You Begin: Please Prepare the Following for Each Group Member

You will need the following for each applicant in your group (2–3 people):

📄 An abbreviated (one-page) CV or resume
📝 The name and email address of a recommender — an administrator, staff, or faculty member at your college/university who will complete a recommendation form on your behalf. The form will be automatically emailed to them. It is your responsibility to ensure the form is submitted by November 3, 2025, or your application will be marked as incomplete.
✍️ Answers to the following questions (see word count limits below)

Group Questions

Please prepare thoughtful responses to the following questions:

Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR)

Why do you think the YPAR framework would be an effective method to address mental health disparities in your community? (max 500 words)
*Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) is an approach to research and social change that centers young people. Young adults are supported to utilize their own perspectives and strengths to identify, study and address social issues that impact them * Learn more about YPAR
YPAR is intended for students to conduct research in their own communities. Describe the community where your research will take place and your relationship with it. (max 500 words)

Interest and Commitment

Why are you interested in researching mental health disparities in BIPOC communities? (max 250 words)
What research topics interest you, and why are they important and timely to address? (max 250 words)

Teamwork

What are the strengths each person in the group contributes to the team? How will you work together as a team? (max 500 words)
How does this opportunity align with future career goals? Please provide a specific answer for each member of the group. (max 500 words)
Who does your group plan to work with on your campus to help guide your research/project? (max 500 words)
*An advisor does not have to be the same person who submits the letter of recommendation.

✅ Confirmation

📌 Please confirm that you and your group members have prepared all the above materials. You will not be able to submit your application without uploading them later.

I confirm that my group has prepared all the required materials and we are ready to proceed with the application.

Yes, I confirm.

Personal Information for Applicant 1

How will my privacy be protected?

We keep your records private and confidential. In completing any online application, it is possible, although unlikely, that unauthorized individuals could gain access to your responses. Confidentiality will be maintained to the degree permitted by the technology used. No guarantees can be made regarding the interception of data sent via the Internet. Thus, your participation in this online application involves risks like a person's everyday use of the Internet.

With respect to your participation in this survey, Active Minds will apply the same data collection, use, and disclosure policies that apply to the use of Active Minds' websites and its related services, which appear at Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Please provide the following information for each applicant in your group.

First Name

Last Name

Pronouns

College/University (No Abbreviations)

Are you an international student?

Due to payment processes, do you have a U.S. bank account or a bank account in one of the following countries?

Email Address

Phone Number

Birthdate

*Please note: You must enter a birthdate between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2007. This ensures all applicants are between the required ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application.

Personal Information for Applicant 2

How will my privacy be protected?

We keep your records private and confidential. In completing any online application, it is possible, although unlikely, that unauthorized individuals could gain access to your responses. Confidentiality will be maintained to the degree permitted by the technology used. No guarantees can be made regarding the interception of data sent via the Internet. Thus, your participation in this online application involves risks like a person's everyday use of the Internet.

With respect to your participation in this survey, Active Minds will apply the same data collection, use, and disclosure policies that apply to the use of Active Minds' websites and its related services, which appear at Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Please provide the following information for each applicant in your group.

First Name

Last Name

Pronouns

College/University (No Abbreviations)

Are you an international student?

Due to payment processes, do you have a U.S. bank account or a bank account in one of the following countries?

Email Address

Phone Number

Birthdate

Please note: You must enter a birthdate between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2007. This ensures all applicants are between the required ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application.

Personal Information for Applicant 3

How will my privacy be protected?

We keep your records private and confidential. In completing any online application, it is possible, although unlikely, that unauthorized individuals could gain access to your responses. Confidentiality will be maintained to the degree permitted by the technology used. No guarantees can be made regarding the interception of data sent via the Internet. Thus, your participation in this online application involves risks like a person's everyday use of the Internet.

With respect to your participation in this survey, Active Minds will apply the same data collection, use, and disclosure policies that apply to the use of Active Minds' websites and its related services, which appear at Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Please provide the following information for each applicant in your group.

First Name

Last Name

Pronouns

College/University (No Abbreviations)

Are you an international student?

Due to payment processes, do you have a U.S. bank account or a bank account in one of the following countries?

Email Address

Phone Number

Birthdate

Please note: You must enter a birthdate between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2007. This ensures all applicants are between the required ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application.

Group Questions:

YPAR

1. Why do you think the YPAR framework would be an effective method to address mental health disparities in your community?

*Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) is an approach to research and social change that centers young people. Young adults are supported to utilize their own perspectives and strengths to identify, study and address social issues that impact them * Learn more about YPAR

2. YPAR is intended for students to conduct research in their own communities. Describe the community where your research will take place and your relationship with it.

Interest and Commitment

3. Why are you interested in researching mental health disparities in BIPOC communities?

4. What research topics interest you, and why are they important and timely to address?

Teamwork

5. What are the strengths each person in the group contributes to the team? How will you work together as a team?

6. How does this opportunity align with future career goals? Please provide a specific answer for each member of the group.

7. Who does your group plan to work with on your campus to help guide your research/project?

*An advisor does not have to be the same person who submits the letter of recommendation.

How did you first hear about the Emerging Scholars Fellowship?

Please Specify