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About the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP)
CSWE Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) opportunities support the mission of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to improve behavioral health care outcomes for all by providing professional development and training opportunities for the behavioral health workforce.
Mission
The purpose of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is to improve behavioral health care outcomes for all by providing professional development and training opportunities for the behavioral health workforce. Contingent on funding, the CSWE MFP accomplishes this by providing monetary stipends, professional development training, mentorship, and other supports to MSW students who are completing their social work degrees.
What are the funding sources for the MFP?
Funds for the MFP are provided by the Center for Mental Health Services(Opens in a new window), the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention(Opens in a new window), and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment(Opens in a new window) in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(Opens in a new window).
Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79SM090071 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human ServicesÍž nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
MFP for Doctoral Students
How to apply
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.
About the MFP program for doctoral students
The MFP doctoral fellowship is designed for individuals pursuing a doctoral degree in social work. Applicants must hold a social work master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited program. 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.
Who can be considered for this program?
The MFP targets individuals pursuing a doctoral degree in social work. 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. Their career goal must be to provide leadership in practice, research, teaching, and/or policy promulgation in government or private organizations serving persons with or at risk for mental health and/or substance use disorders.
MFP—Master’s Students
How to apply
The 2026–2027 MFP MSW application period is now closed. To be notified of the 2027–2028 MFP MSW application opening, please complete the interest survey.
About the MFP program for master's students
The MFP fellowship for master’s students is 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. These students must identify mental health service delivery to persons with or at risk for mental health and/or substance use disorders as the focus of their specialization and be committed to seeking employment with this population after completing the fellowship.
Who can be considered for this 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.