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Summer 2027 Fellowship

Get paid to break into a career in investing.

The iDAC Foundation connects promising students with paid summer fellowship placements at pension funds, state investment councils and leading investment firms, building the next generation of diverse finance professionals.

Get notified when apps open Host or sponsor a Fellow
Applications open Nov 2, 2026
$6,000+Summer stipend
At least 6Weeks with a hosting organization
2Expenses-paid in-person activations with the iDAC team and other Fellows
Up to 8Virtual professional development sessions

Who should apply

  • Sophomores through grad students
  • Studying finance, economics, public policy, business or a related field
  • 3.3 GPA or higher
  • First-generation and Pell-eligible students strongly encouraged

No connections to the investment or finance industries? Great! You're exactly who we're looking for.

Key dates

Nov 2, 2026Applications open
Nov 23, 2026Applications close
Jan 29, 2027Fellows selected
May 2027In-person fellowship kickoff
"The iDAC fellowship connected me with people who genuinely want to see me succeed."
2026 iDAC Fellow
Why investing?

Investment professionals decide who and what gets funded. You should have a say.

Where decisions get made

Pension funds, endowments and state investment councils decide where retirement savings and public dollars go. Investment firms put that capital to work. Fellows learn both sides.

Skills that travel

Financial modeling, analysis and accounting skills open doors in many industries and with high-earning salaries.

The room needs you

The people investing on behalf of communities should reflect them. Your perspective is the point.

Three students smiling together on campus
Why iDAC?

Because most people get in through who they know, and we change that.

1

Paid. Real. Yours.

At least six weeks with a host organization in investing, a $6,000+ stipend and two expenses-paid activations. No unpaid "exposure" here.

2

No network? No problem!

Priority consideration goes to first-gen and Pell-eligible students with no family or industry ties to finance. That's the point.

3

You're not on your own.

Two dedicated mentors, Recalc Academy technical training and biweekly professional development sessions keep you supported the entire way through.

4

This is just the beginning.

Fellows return summer after summer and step into the iDAC alumni network.

Follow the Fellows ยท Pilot class, Summer 2026

Meet the Fellows who started it all.

Follow their story
The 2026 iDAC Fellows and TSU students with mentors at the Global Summit Global Summit 2026
Fellows and mentors at the Summit
Fellows on a host organization visit
Chloe Sullivan

Chloe Sullivan

NM Educational Retirement BoardUniversity of New Mexico
Leo Lake

Leo Lake

MERS of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
Marcus Gabor

Marcus Gabor

MERS of MichiganGrand Valley State University
Santiago Trevizo

Santiago Trevizo

NM State Investment CouncilNew Mexico State University

2026 Fellows came from the University of Michigan, Grand Valley State University, New Mexico State University and the University of New Mexico, and were hosted by MERS, the New Mexico State Investment Council and the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board.

Next up: Brandon Turner and Kefa Ubwenge of Texas Southern University join the next iDAC cohort.

What our first cohort told us

Strong satisfaction. Strong mentor fit. Hosts ready to go again.

10/10Overall satisfaction
10/10Mentor match
9/10Connection to host organization
9/10Selection process prep
I really enjoyed the speaker series... It has been a great opportunity to learn from talented individuals in the industry.
Santiago Trevizo, 2026 Fellow
The program met our expectations and provided a valuable experience for both our organization and the fellow. We would be happy to participate in future cohorts.
New Mexico State Investment Council, 2026 host partner
Tips and tools

Maximize your application.

1

Be yourself

Not what you think we want to hear. Tell us your real story, even if it doesn't start in finance.

2

Go easy on the AI

Your voice, your specificity, your words get remembered.

3

Do your homework

You don't need years of experience, but you do need curiosity. Look up what a pension fund does. Know what LP and GP mean.

4

Connect your "why"

iDAC exists to open doors for people who weren't handed a key. Tell us why that matters to you.

5

Apply before you feel ready

Imposter syndrome is real, and we know it. Don't wait until you feel "qualified enough."

Summer 2027 Fellowship

Applications open Nov 2, 2026.

Interested? Get on the list and we'll tell you the moment the window opens.

Get notified when apps open fellowship@idacfinance.org
QR code to the iDAC Fellows 2027 Student Interest Form Scan to get notified when applications open
For investment organizations

Talent is the industry's essential capital. Invest in the ones who lead it next.

iDAC sources, screens and prepares every Fellow before they reach your desk. Three ways to be part of 2027:

Host

Bring one or more Fellows onto your team for at least six weeks, from a vetted, prepared candidate slate.

Sponsor

$15,000 sponsors one Fellow's full summer, with recognition across the Summit and iDAC channels.

Mentor or speak

A low-lift way to give back: mentor a Fellow or lead an Open Floor™ session.

Backed by industry leaders Logos of iDAC supporters including Goldman Sachs, T. Rowe Price, Dimensional, Grosvenor, Vistria, ABS Global, Locust Point, MarcyPen, Metis, NEPC, VWH, MERS, the New Mexico State Investment Council and ERB
Tell us how you want to get involved Or email fellowship@idacfinance.org
QR code to the iDAC Partner Interest Form
Scan to partner Host, sponsor, mentor or speak.