The Truist Foundation Fellowship is a fully funded, 16-week programme for small business owners, entrepreneurs and nonprofit founders who serve underbanked and underserved communities. Watson Institute runs it with funding from the Truist Foundation, and the 2026-2027 cohort has a priority application deadline of 17 January 2027. Eligibility is limited to four US regions, so check the map before you invest time in the form.
At a glance
| Priority deadline | 17 January 2027 (rolling review, no time zone stated) |
| Who can apply | Founders aged 18+ whose venture is in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, South Central (Texas) or Ohio Valley |
| Programme | 16 weeks, 2 March to 22 June 2027, virtual plus in-person elements |
| Cost to apply | No application fee is mentioned |
| Organizer | Watson Institute |
| Official link | watson.is application page |
Who can apply?
Watson Institute lists small business owners, entrepreneurs and nonprofit founders building solutions for underbanked or underserved communities. Applicants must be 18 or older. The venture should have operated for one to five years, employ fewer than ten people, and show engaged customers, measurable results and some financial traction.
Geography is the hard limit. The page names the Southeast, the Mid-Atlantic (including Washington, D.C.), South Central (Texas) and the Ohio Valley, and says applicants outside these areas are not considered. You must also be able to complete the full 16 weeks, including the mandatory virtual immersive and the weekly workshops.
What do Fellows receive?
- A fully funded programme with venture and leadership development training
- One-on-one guidance from expert Preceptors, plus pitch coaching
- Mentorship, access to capital, a peer network and long-term alumni support
- A presentation at the in-person Summit in June 2027
- A $1,000 Community Development Stipend for leading a Basecamp workshop
The format combines a virtual immersive (2 to 12 March 2027), weekly virtual workshops on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 to 12:30 Eastern Time, and three in-person gatherings. Expect 8 to 10 hours a week. Fellows may pay for some travel and meals at in-person events, and the page states no other costs.
How to apply
- Open the application and complete the online form, which takes about 30 minutes. You can save and continue later.
- Answer the questions on your organization, venture stage, impact, finances and personal connection to the work, and disclose any existing relationship with the Truist Foundation.
- If shortlisted, join a 20-minute Zoom interview with the Admissions Committee.
- Confirm your enrollment if selected. Final decisions are due by 20 February 2027.
Apply on the official Watson Institute application page. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so submitting before the priority date matters.
Advice for founders reading this from Impact DOTS
- Check your operating region first. The programme is built around Truist’s US footprint, so founders elsewhere should treat it as a model of funded cohort design rather than an application target.
- Prepare evidence for the traction criteria: customer numbers, measurable results and basic financials. The form asks for them.
- Block the calendar. Three weekday mornings of workshops from week 3 are mandatory, and a Basecamp in your own community is part of the deal.
- Be ready to name who benefits. The programme centres underbanked and underserved communities, so describe them concretely.
FAQ
Does the Truist Foundation run the programme?
No. The application page states that Watson Institute runs it, not the Truist Foundation. The Foundation funds it.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is mentioned. Fellows may cover some travel and meals for in-person events.
Can I apply after 17 January 2027?
The page calls 17 January 2027 the priority deadline and says applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until spots fill. Apply by the priority date to be safe.
