Teachers give so much of themselves to their students, schools and communities, often without the recognition their work deserves.

At the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, we believe teachers are trusted, skilled professionals and essential leaders of our economic future. When we invest in teachers, they stay in the classroom longer and help build a local workforce pipeline for their regions.

That’s why we invest in teachers through our yearlong fellowship awards. Applications for the 2027-28 fellowships will open on Monday, Sept. 14, and be accepted through mid-Janurary.

“The Kenan Fellowship did not just change me — it elevated me. And because it elevated me, it has elevated every student who walks through my classroom door.” — Kenan Fellow, 2025-26 program evaluation survey

Step Into the Field, Return to the Classroom With a New Purpose

The fellowship moves beyond conference rooms and into the workplaces, field sites and community settings where the future is being built. Fellows step inside manufacturing facilities, coastal ecosystems, energy sites and community organizations, working alongside industry professionals who invite them into their world. They experience firsthand the skills, challenges and opportunities shaping local careers — then carry those insights back to their classrooms.

Fellows also build partnerships that position them as collaborators, working shoulder to shoulder with employers, nonprofits, community colleges and universities to understand regional challenges and the opportunities their students can access close to home.

Who Can Apply

The fellowship is open to K-12 public and charter school teachers across North Carolina, with two additional opportunities in the Virginia Beach area of Virginia. Fellows are matched with a local host organization in select districts and counties, on projects spanning agriculture, biotechnology, energy and more.

What Fellows Receive

Fellows receive $5,000 for their work during the fellowship, 80 hours of professional development designed and led by fellowship alumni, and something harder to put a price on: a place in a network of teachers who understand the work and choose to stay in it together.

A Network that Lasts

Teaching can be isolating, and the Kenan Fellows Program was built to connect teachers across counties, grade levels and disciplines. These connections last long after the fellowship year ends. Many alumni return to lead the very professional development that once shaped their careers, carrying the investment forward.

Note: Not all available fellowship projects are live on the site yet. Additional projects will be added throughout the application period, so check back regularly for new opportunities.

Interested in learning more?

Visit the fellowship overview page for details. Ready to apply? Click the button below.