Zell Fellows Program — Fellowship

The Zell Fellows Program is an applied entrepreneurial experience run by Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and funded by Sam Zell. It selects MBA candidates pursuing either the New Venture track or the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition track.

Fellows work with faculty, outside advisors, practitioners and alumni while meeting at Kellogg and traveling together. The 2026–27 cohort runs from October 14, 2026, through June 2, 2027.

Benefits & funding

Mentorship from track faculty, outside advisors and practitioners on launching or acquiring a business.
Visits with Chicago-area entrepreneurs, leadership and executive-presence workshops, private coaching, and required domestic and international treks.
Financial resources and vetted service providers for each Fellow’s business and entrepreneurial work; the current page does not state an amount.
A community spanning the Kellogg cohort, Zell Fellows alumni and other schools in the Zell Global Entrepreneur Network.

Eligibility

Open to Kellogg full-time students in the second year of the 2Y or MMM program, students in the 1Y, JDMBA, MBAi or MDMBA program, and Evening & Weekend students who can attend every activity.
Academic standing is a determining eligibility factor.
Fellows must be available on Wednesdays when classes are in session from October 14, 2026, through June 2, 2027, and must attend the domestic and international cohort trips.
The program page states no separate nationality, residency, age, gender or work-experience requirement.

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Education required
Master Enrolled

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Application process

1
Use the application form linked from the official program page and submit by September 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.; the published page does not specify a time zone.
2
Monitor communications closely because interviews begin September 29, 2026.
3
Program invitations are issued October 9, 2026, and selected Fellows begin October 14, 2026.

Program timeline

Applications open.
August 14, 2026
Application deadline; time zone not stated.
September 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Interviews begin.
September 29, 2026
Program invitations issued.
October 9, 2026
Program starts.
October 14, 2026
December 6–9, 2026
December trek.
Spring trek.
March 18–23, 2027
Program ends.
June 2, 2027