The MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship is a one-year professional learning program run by MIT Blueprint Labs. It brings together US-based education professionals who lead, implement, or research school enrollment or performance systems.
Fellows combine a two-day kickoff at MIT, a two-day city learning visit, and virtual sessions while remaining in their full-time roles. The 2026–2027 program also examines how technology and AI can support educational equity.
Benefits & funding
- There is no fellowship fee and no additional compensation.
- Fellows receive access to policy and research experts, a national peer community, individual coaching, networking events, lectures, panels, monthly challenge sessions, webinars, office hours, and an online resource portal.
- Fellows or their employers are expected to pay travel and lodging for both in-person events.
- Five travel scholarships are available based on need and merit, covering up to $1,200 in travel and lodging expenses for each in-person event.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be education professionals based in the United States.
- They must currently lead, implement, or research enrollment or school performance policies or systems.
- Applicants may work across the enrollment spectrum, from decentralized to fully unified systems.
- Relevant organizations include school districts, charter management organizations, state agencies, and nonprofits; the fellowship highlights enrollment, admissions, community engagement, data, communications, school performance, policy development, and school-quality roles as examples rather than exclusive categories.
- Fellows continue working full-time at their education organizations during the program.
- The official pages state no degree, nationality, age, gender, or minimum-years-of-experience restriction beyond being US-based and professionally engaged in the field.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Residence required
USA
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Application process
- 1Review the eligibility, one-year commitment, event attendance, capstone, and cost expectations on the official application page.
- 2Open the official Qualtrics application through the Apply Here link.
- 3Complete and submit the application by August 24, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Program timeline
Application deadline.
August 24, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
In-person two-day kickoff at MIT.
Fall 2026
During the fellowship year
Webinars, monthly challenge sessions, office hours, and capstone work.
City learning visit, written reflection, and fellowship conclusion.
Early summer 2027
Interview and decision dates
Not published on the official pages.