Truist Foundation Small Business Fellowship
- Organization: Watson Institute
- Type: Fellowship
- Location: United States
- Deadline: January 17, 2027
- Funding: Partially Funded
Watson Institute runs this 16-week fellowship with funding from the Truist Foundation for small business owners, entrepreneurs and nonprofit founders whose work expands economic opportunity for underbanked and underserved communities. Fellows get venture and leadership training, mentorship, pitch coaching and a peer network, mostly online, and each one designs and leads a community workshop back home with a $1,000 stipend. It is open only to ventures based in and serving 15 US states and Washington, D.C. in Truist's footprint. **What you get:** - 16 weeks of virtual entrepreneurship training led by practitioners who run businesses themselves, focused on business acumen and financial literacy - Financial tools, frameworks and workshops to strengthen your venture's finances - One-on-one guidance from expert mentors, called Preceptors - A $1,000 Community Development Stipend to run a Basecamp workshop in your community - Pitch coaching and a place at the Summit to present to entrepreneurs, potential investors, corporate partners and leaders - Introductions to investors, grantmakers and partners, plus ongoing alumni support - No programme fees; Watson says fellows may pay some travel and meals for the in-person events **What you'll do:** - Join a two-week virtual immersive, 2 to 12 March 2027, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET - Attend virtual workshops every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET, from week 3 - Design and lead a Basecamp workshop for earlier-stage entrepreneurs in your community - Pitch your venture at the in-person Summit on 3 June 2027 (location to be confirmed) or the virtual Summit on 22 June 2027 - Expect 8 to 10 hours a week in total **Key dates:** - Priority application deadline: 17 January 2027; applications are then reviewed on a rolling basis until places are filled - Selected candidates: 20-minute Zoom interview - Decisions announced by 20 February 2027 - Programme runs 2 March to 22 June 2027 - Virtual immersive: 2 to 12 March 2027 - In-person Summit: 3 June 2027, location to be confirmed; virtual Summit: 22 June 2027 **More information:** - Full eligibility, schedule and FAQ on Watson Institute's Truist Foundation Fellowship page - Questions go to Maria Pamela Pelaez at Watson Institute, whose email is listed on the programme page
