The 2026 Application is open.

In Partnership With:

  • NBA Page_MLTLogo
  • NBA HBCU Fellowship
  • Fearless Dialogues

About the Fellowship

The NBA HBCU Fellowship Program aims to provide internship opportunities in the business of basketball for undergraduate and graduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The program is supported in partnership between the NBA Foundation, MLT, and Fearless Dialogues.

Fellows are selected by NBA teams and the league office to work within a variety of departments, including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, legal, social responsibility, and marketing. 

The Fellowship Program is a paid 10-week summer internship program from June 8 through August 14. Travel to the internship location and housing will be provided.

Program Eligibility

To be eligible for the NBA HBCU Fellowship program, applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. College sophomores, juniors and seniors, graduating seniors, and graduate students who are currently enrolled in or have graduated from an HBCU will be considered for opportunities.

  • All eligible applicants must submit an official transcript from their HBCU undergraduate or graduate program to verify eligibility for the program.  

  • Must be eligible to work in the US (Note: This can include F1 students eligible for OPT/CPT visas)

  • Must be able to work full-time for the program duration (June 8 - August 14, 2026)

  • Must be able to attend the HBCU Fellowship Orientation (June 3 -June 5, 2026)

  • Must be over the age of 18 on or before June 3, 2026

  • The average GPA for previous HBCU Fellowship Cohorts is 3.4. *Please Note: Providing a GPA is part of the application process but not a qualification requirement for consideration.
NBA Overall Stats 2026 (450 x 800 px) Adjusted

How to Apply

The application window is open from Monday, November 10 and closes on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST.

Step 1: Click "Apply Now" to create your application profile by December 5.

Step 2: Select a role that matches your area of interest and experience.

Step 3: If selected, you'll be invited to submit a video interview.

Step 4: Select candidates will participate in virtual interviews in February/March

 

The NBA HBCU Fellowship Application Roadmap

NBA Application Roadmap_2026_V5

Get In Touch

For any questions, contact nbahbcufellowship@mlt.org, and please allow up to 72 hours of response time.

Additional Resources

Alumni Spotlights

Zuri Sims is a graduate student at Florida A&M University, and a two-time NBA HBCU Fellowship alumna. Zuri worked as a Social Impact and Inclusion intern at the League Office in 2025 and has gone on to work for the NFL experience program.

Zuri Sims

Zuri Sims Class of 2025

Trent Burke is a graduate of North Carolina A&T University and was part of the 2024 HBCU Fellowship class. Trent was recently hired by the New Orleans Pelicans as a full-time Equity and Impact Associate.

Trent Burke

Trent Burke Class of 2024

 

Teams & Departments

Fellows are aligned to a specific department for the duration of the program and work on real NBA projects and initiatives for NBA Teams and League offices. Fellows work a full 40-hour work-week (Monday-Friday), along with optional evening and weekend events, on occasion.

In addition to on-the-job experience, fellows are invited to participate in a broad array of professional development programs and community and social experiences.