2026-2027 My Brother's Keeper Fellows Program
The purpose of the My Brother’s Keeper Fellows Program (MBKFP) is to provide rising 12th-grade high school students, with an emphasis on boys and young men of color and all students, with opportunities to gain authentic leadership experience(s) and develop service projects beneficial to the schools they attend and the communities they live in.
July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
Through the creation of the 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ State My Brother’s Keeper Fellows Program (MBKFP), and a partnership between a 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ State My Brother’s Keeper (NYSMBK) Community and at least one postsecondary education institution or one local business or community-based organization, rising 12th-grade students, with an emphasis on boys and young men of color and all students, will be provided authentic leadership opportunities in local government and/or education and/or business.Ìý Applicants will annually select NYSMBK Fellows, current 11th graders, to participate in the program, which will begin with the Fellows’ induction and continue through the students’ 12th-grade year. Each NYSMBK Fellow will have a mentor currently employed with one of the partners.Ìý Each NYSMBK Fellow will have the opportunity to participate in a fellowship with one of the partners.Ìý As a result, each NYSMBK Fellow will develop and complete a service project related to one of the NYSMBK Milestones with the partner that would benefit the school and/or community. In addition, the Fellows will serve on a statewide My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Fellows Workgroup, coordinated by the 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ Office of Family and Community Engagement, which will provide input on the development and implementation of a statewide MBK Mentoring Network. NYSMBK Fellows are expected to attend the Annual NYSMBK Statewide Symposium with their mentors.
- Only approved 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ State My Brother’s Keeper Community Network(s) (NYSMBKCN), are eligible to apply for this grant opportunity.Ìý An approved NYSMBKCN is a partnership between the Office of the Mayor and the School District Superintendent (or the Chancellor in 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ City), that has filed supporting documents with the Office of Family and Community Engagement and had been approved by 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ as a NYS MBK Community as of April 1, 2026. Ìý
- Additionally, for this grant opportunity, each NYSMBKCN must also secure a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with a local postsecondary education institution(s) or a local business(es)/community-based organization as a partner(s).
The public school district partner must serve as the applicant/fiscal agent for this grant program.
For this grant opportunity, students eligible to be selected are rising 12th graders, with an emphasis on boys and young men of color and all students, who are enrolled in any one of the NYSMBKCN(s) receiving this grant.
Available funding for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, is expected to be up to $750,000, subject to legislative appropriation. ÌýEach MBK Community will receive an allocation of $5,950 per Fellow per year to carry out activities aligned with the purpose of this grant.
Applications must include a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by all partners (minimum of three, including Mayor or equivalent municipality elected official, Superintendent, and Postsecondary Institution Senior Administrator or local business/community-based organization) to be reviewed for consideration. Applications that do not include an MOA signed by all required partners will not be reviewed for consideration.Ìý Letters of support will not be accepted in lieu of a required partner’s signature on the MOA.
Please submit one original copy of the full application, as well as one electronic copy of the complete application.
Applications must be postmarked and emailed by August 31, 2026, to the address below:
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ State Education Department
Attention: My Brother’s Keeper Fellows Program Application
Office of the Family and Community Engagement
89 Washington Ave., EBA 960
Albany, NY 12234
Electronic copies must be sent to NYSMBK@nysed.gov by August 31, 2026
Questions regarding this grant must be emailed to NYSMBK@nysed.gov by August 12, 2026.
A Question & Answer Summary will be posted at 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ's My Brother's KeeperÌýno later than August 17, 2026.
Applications must be postmarked and emailed by August 31, 2026.