Mentora Scholars is a scholarship programme run by the Mentora Institute and funded by the Mentora Foundation for undergraduates in the United States and Canada. The early priority deadline is 8 November 2026 and the final deadline is 17 January 2027. The scholarship covers programme cost, room and board for a residential immersion in Nashville in May 2027. It is not open to applicants outside the US and Canada.
If you are an undergraduate or recent graduate in the US or Canada looking for a funded way into social change work, this programme is built for you. Readers elsewhere cannot apply, so check eligibility first.
At a glance
| Deadline | Early priority deadline 8 November 2026. Final deadline 17 January 2027. No time of day or time zone is stated. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis |
| Who can apply | Undergraduates at US or Canadian institutions, and people who finished their degree within the past year |
| What you get | A full scholarship covering programme cost, room and board. No dollar amount is published |
| Format | Virtual core curriculum, February to April 2027, then a residential immersion in Nashville, Tennessee, 17 to 28 May 2027 |
| Cost to apply | No application fee |
| Official links | Programme page and application form |
Who can apply to Mentora Scholars?
The programme page states that Mentora Scholars is for undergraduates in the United States and Canada, including those who completed their degree within the past year. Graduating seniors are asked to check whether their commencement date conflicts with the in-person programme. The page lists no other requirement.
What you get
The programme page lists a full scholarship that covers programme cost, room and board. Its FAQ also says tuition is covered. Scholars pay their own travel and incidental expenses. The page does not state a dollar value and does not tie the benefits to a named cohort year, so treat the details as what the programme page lists and confirm them with the organizer.
The programme has two parts. The virtual core curriculum runs from February to April 2027 and takes about 10 to 11 hours in total. It is a prerequisite for the residential immersion at the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, held from 17 to 28 May 2027. Its FAQ names a scholar network, a Campus Ambassador role and Mentora Fellows as later pathways.
How to apply
- Read the official programme page and confirm you meet the eligibility rule.
- Optionally attend an information session. The page lists a virtual session on 20 October 2026 at 4:00 pm (no time zone given) and several campus sessions. Dates may change.
- Submit the online application form by 8 November 2026 for the early priority deadline, or by 17 January 2027 at the latest.
- Wait for a decision. Decisions come on a rolling basis between the two deadlines.
The programme page describes four stages: application review, acceptance decision, the virtual core curriculum and the residential immersion. It does not mention interviews. Questions go to contact@mentora.institute.
Advice from the Impact DOTS team
- Aim for 8 November 2026. Review is rolling, and the organizer names that date as the early priority deadline.
- Check your timeline before you apply. The immersion runs 17 to 28 May 2027, so graduating seniors should compare it with their commencement date.
- Budget for travel. Scholars pay their own travel and incidental costs.
- Set aside time for the application itself. The form asks for academic details, a résumé or LinkedIn profile and several written reflections, so do not leave it to the final week.
- If you work on a social venture or community project, say so plainly. The programme is organised around changemaking, so concrete experience gives reviewers something to assess.
FAQ
Can students outside the United States and Canada apply?
No. The programme page states that the programme is for undergraduates in the US and Canada, including recent graduates.
Is there an application fee?
No. The programme page says there is no application fee.
What happens after the early priority deadline?
Applications stay open until the final deadline of 17 January 2027 and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
