We invest in teachers through professional development that respects your expertise and stays with you over time.
Our fellowship places you inside the communities and industries shaping your region and surrounds you with peers who understand today’s education landscape, including the challenges teachers face and what they need to succeed.
“No matter how far apart our classrooms are, these connections have become a go-to support system in my professional journey.”
Savannah Brown
Kenan Fellow ’25
Find Your People
Fellowship Timeline
Our next application cycle will open in fall 2026. Dates below reflect the 2026-27 application period.
Application Period
Fall2025
Awards Announced
May 5, 2026 National Teacher Day
Online Orientation
May 20, 2026
Summer Institute
June 22-26, 2026, Cullowhee
Industry Immersion
July-August 2026 (Exact dates determined by Fellows and industry hosts)
Fall Institute
Oct. 8-9, 2026, Raleigh (TBD)
Spring Institute & Celebration
April 22-23, 2027, Raleigh (TBD)
Fellowship at a Glance
Who is eligible to apply?
K–12 public and charter school teachers of all disciplines across North Carolina.
We seek teachers with a growth mindset who want to connect their schools with local communities to bridge the education-to-workforce gap.
We place a high priority on selecting cohorts of Fellows whose backgrounds and experiences represent the wide range of communities in our state.
What is the time commitment?
The fellowship runs from May to April, with professional development institutes in the summer, fall and spring.
Teachers develop and implement capstone projects related to their fellowships throughout the year while continuing their school or district work.
Scroll down to see the fellowship timeline.
What benefits do Fellows receive?
Industry immersion with a host organization in the summer
80 hours of leadership development and professional learning
Supportive network of educators and community partners
Coaching from Kenan Fellows Program staff
A $5,000 stipend as part of the fellowship award
Upon completion, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction recommends 9.2 CEUs subject area and/or general.
How does the application process work?
Our application period typically runs from fall to winter. Check out our application page for details on how to apply.
A committee of industry and community partners, staff and alumni reviews applications and selects finalists for interviews.
Interviews are typically scheduled in late winter. Awards will be officially announced during National Teacher Appreciation Week in May.
Fellowship awards vary annually based on available funding.
What kind of professional development do Fellows receive?
Each Kenan Fellows cohort participates in 80 hours of professional development spread across three in-person institutes in the summer, fall and spring.
Seasoned educators from our faculty of Kenan Fellows Program alumni design and facilitate sessions in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Topics correspond with current educational trends and focus on leadership development, student-centered pedagogy and building a positive school culture.
What can Fellows expect during their industry immersion?
Teachers spend 120 hours immersed in a local host organization, connecting the skills and content they teach with workplace applications and career opportunities for students.
Kenan Fellows and their industry mentors have the flexibility to design unique immersion experiences tailored to their goals.
While each fellowship is different, activities may include facility tours, employee interviews and hands-on experiences like conducting experiments in a lab.
Immersion experiences typically occur between June and August, with Fellows and mentors determining the best schedule based on their availability.
Host sites range from agriculture and energy to research labs and manufacturing. Typically, sites are located within driving distance of the teacher’s county or district.
What does the capstone project involve?
Kenan Fellows create a product related to their industry immersion that bridges the gap between classrooms and the workplace.
Fellows have designed Project-Based Learning units, inquiry-based lesson plans, delivered professional development for peers, and launched community events like STEM family nights and Ag Days for primary and secondary students.
Some have even created educational materials and guides for their host organizations.
David Glenn ‘24 leads STEM education for DoD STARBASE Wilmington. The Wilmington program is one of 83 locations nationwide providing students with immersive STEM activities.
