Priority Application Deadline: January 17th, 2027. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Amber Owens, 2025-2026 Alumna
Empowering small business owners and entrepreneurs to build better lives and stronger communities across Truist’s national footprint.
The Fellowship Offers
The Truist Foundation Fellowship, powered by Watson Institute, is a fully-funded program designed for promising small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit founders building solutions that expand economic opportunity for underbanked and underserved communities. Fellows receive venture and leadership development training, committed mentorship, access to capital, a strong peer network, and long-term Alumni support. Through the Fellowship, participants gain the skills, connections, and resources needed to strengthen their ventures and create sustainable impact in their communities.
Financial Tools & Resources
Access practical financial tools, frameworks, and workshops designed to strengthen your venture’s financial foundation. Benefit from the expertise of practitioners and Watson Institute’s broader network of specialists supporting entrepreneurs at every stage.
See the Fellows in Action
Watch highlights from the Truist Foundation Fellowship Summit and see Fellows pitch their ventures, share their community impact, and connect with entrepreneurs, partners, and leaders.
Experts You Will Learn From
We recruit thought leaders and entrepreneurs—whom we refer to as Preceptors—with the specific expertise needed to best serve you. They are brought on to share their insights, facilitate workshops, and provide 1-on-1 guidance. Preceptors from previous cohorts include:
Cole Hoover
Designer of Impact Networks | Strategic Facilitator | Purpose Coach
Dr. Esther Zeledon
Positioning & Founder Strategist | Building the Human Intelligence Platform for the AI Era | Executive & Pitch Coach | TEDx Speaker | Author
Terrance Range
Founder and Head of Product @ Myndful I Cultivating Growth through User-Centric Product Development
Key Dates
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- Program: March 2–June 22, 2027
- Immersive: March 2–March 12, 2027 | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM ET | Virtual
- Week 1: 3/2–3/5 (Tuesday–Friday)
- Week 2: 3/8–3/12 (Monday–Thursday)
- Summit:
- In Person: June, 2027 (exact date and location TBD)
- Virtual: June, 2027
Time Commitment
- Weekly Sessions: Fellows participate in virtual workshops each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM ET (beginning Week 3)
- Total Weekly Commitment: 8–10 hours/week, including weekly sessions, optional meetings, Basecamp implementation, and Summit preparations
Eligibility: Is This Fellowship for Me?
Here is who we are looking for
Don’t take our word for it
Meet The Alumni
Own Your Finances (OYF) strengthens small businesses through financial literacy, bookkeeping solutions, and access to digital financial tools. OYF has empowered 350+ small business owners through an easy-to-use mobile and web app that integrates AI, automation, and personalized insights to help users make smarter financial decisions. OYF has also hosted five community financial education sessions focused on budgeting, credit management, and tax readiness.
The UpHer Room Inc. builds career pathways to economic mobility for women and girls and strengthens small businesses through workshops, grantmaking, collaborative marketplaces, and cross-sector partnerships. Since 2022, The UpHer Room has directly served over 500 women on their leadership and entrepreneurship journeys, supported 26 women-led businesses, partnered with 13 women-focused organizations, awarded $6,000 in grants to women-led businesses, and contributed 800+ volunteer service hours.
Housed-Up, Inc. builds career pathways to economic mobility for individuals experiencing homelessness through direct housing navigation, wraparound support services, and affordable housing development. Housed-Up, Inc. has helped individuals move from street homelessness into stable housing by providing Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) application assistance, identification recovery, case management, and other services to maintain housing stability. Housed-Up, Inc. manages an active client list of more than 40 individuals across two counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the in-person components entail?
There will be three in-person gatherings throughout the course of the Truist Foundation Fellowship: a Fellow Networking & Learning Event across multiple locations, Fellow Basecamps hosted in their communities, and an in-person Summit in June.
What are the costs associated with this program (travel, fees, deposit, etc.)?
Fellows may be responsible for some travel expenses and meals during in-person programming. There are no other costs associated with the Fellowship.
Can I apply if my country or state is not listed under the priority geographies?
Unfortunately, we are not able to consider applications outside the geographies listed above. However, we run numerous programs a year and are likely to have an opportunity for you in the future. We encourage you to check back regularly and reach out to Watson Institute’s team members for more information.
What is the Community Development Stipend?
The $1,000 Community Development Stipend supports Fellows in organizing and facilitating Basecamps, a required outcome of the program. Basecamps are community events that foster collaboration and advance initiatives to accelerate collective growth in the communities the Fellows are impacting. Whether hosting workshops, networking events, or collaborative projects, this stipend provides resources to engage your community, build connections, and drive meaningful impact.
What is the application review timeline?
We understand the substantial interest in the program and strive to provide prompt responses. Decisions will be communicated by February 20, 2027. We appreciate your patience throughout this process.
How do you define underserved / underbanked?
We define underserved broadly to include individuals from disadvantaged populations based on race, sex, age, disability, economic status, and other factors that have historically limited access to resources and opportunities. We particularly value proximate leaders – those who have personal ties to the problems they are solving and lived experience with the challenges their communities face. This approach ensures Fellows bring authentic understanding and deep commitment to creating meaningful change in their communities
How does this program open doors to funding?
Watson Institute connects Fellows to a robust network of potential investors, grantmakers, and partners dedicated to supporting ventures with impact. Through mentorship, pitch opportunities, and relationship-building events, Fellows gain access to introductions and resources that can accelerate their growth and sustainability.
What is the long-term impact on Fellows and Alumni?
After completing the program, Fellows join a vibrant community of changemakers with ongoing access to resources, learning opportunities, and peer support beyond the program. Alumni often report increased revenue, expanded networks, stronger leadership skills, and greater community impact as a result of their Watson Institute experience.
Alumni of Watson Institute’s Fellowships have raised over $190 million, created over 2,300 paid jobs, and impacted over 11 million people around the world through initiatives they have helped lead. 93% of Watson Institute alums are employed, continuing their education, or building a venture. 85% of Watson Institute Alumni use a skill they learned while in a Watson Institute-powered program up to 12 years later. Watson Institute’s Alumni have been selected to Y Combinator, the Echoing Green Fellowship, and 11 have been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 lists. Alums continue their education at Harvard University, New York University, and Princeton University, among others.
What if I’m not admitted?
If you are not admitted this cycle, we encourage you to stay engaged with Watson Institute through our newsletters, events, and future programs. Many Fellows apply multiple times and continue to develop their ventures with the resources and support we offer. We value your commitment and look forward to your future involvement. Explore other Fellowships.
I have another question and need assistance.
For all other questions, please reach out to Maria Pamela Pelaez at mariapamela@watson.is.
Truist’s purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities. By partnering with nonprofit organizations across our markets, we’re helping them innovate and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around three focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility, strengthening small businesses, and disaster preparation, relief, and recovery. For more information about Truist Foundation, visit Truist.com/Foundation
This program is fully-funded through the generous support of the Truist Foundation.
