Minority Fellowship Program

MFP fellowships for master’s students are designed to enhance the training of full-time master’s level direct practice focused social work students in their final year of study in a CSWE-accredited program. 

The master’s MFP is a program designed to enhance the training of full-time, master’s-level social work students in their final year of study at a CSWE-accredited institution who are passionate about providing mental health and/or substance use disorder services. 

Applicants must identify mental health and/or substance use disorder service delivery as their focus and be committed to seeking employment in mental health and/or substance use disorder services or prevention immediately after graduation, for at least 2 years.

The 2027–2028 MFP Master’s application period will open in March 2027. To be notified of the 2027–2028 MFP MSW application opening, please complete the interest survey.

The MFP Doctoral Fellowship is designed for individuals pursuing a doctoral degree in social work. Their career goal should be to provide leadership in practice, research, teaching, and/or policy promulgation in government and private organizations serving persons with or at risk for mental health and/or substance use disorders.

Applicants must be starting full-time study leading to a doctoral degree in social work OR be currently enrolled as a full-time student in a doctoral social work program and hold a social work master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited program. 

The 2026–2027 MFP Doctoral application period is now closed. To be notified of the 2027–2028 MFP Doctoral application opening, please complete the interest survey. 

The work of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is made possible by our volunteers. By contributing your time, knowledge, and expertise, you will help advance our mission of developing the social work workforce that meets the mental health and substance use-related needs of individuals, groups, and communities. Contact us at MFP@cswe.org for more information.

Application Reviewers: Application reviewers assist in the thoughtful evaluation of doctoral and MSW fellowship applications. They play a vital role in identifying promising scholars whose work strengthens the profession and advances behavioral health for communities nationwide.

Guest/Alumni Speakers: Guests speakers provide a training, workshop, or conversational session to MFP fellows on topics related to social work practice, research, education, career readiness, mental health, and substance use.

Click here for more information on these volunteer opportunities!  

MFP's Advisory Board supports the continued success and activities of MFP by collaborating with the CSWE staff to provide expertise in support of MFP projects and initiatives. They play a crucial role in advising MFP staff on policies procedures and overall program planning.

Educational institutions, corporations, government agencies, and NGOs are invited to join the MFP as sponsors. Sponsors fund the MFP’s efforts to support master’s and doctoral students as they prepare to enrich their communities.

Any individual, organization, company, or foundation that is interested in supporting and sponsoring CSWE's Minority Fellowship Program can email us at MFP@cswe.org!

MFP Connect is the bimonthly e-newsletter of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), serving MSW and DSW students and alumni of the program. Published every other month, MFP Connect exists to keep Fellows and Alumni connected to one another and to the resources that support their growth as social work practitioners and researchers. The newsletter also serves to recognize and celebrate the achievements and milestones of Fellows and Alumni.