The Height Scholars Project

The Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation and National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Establish Scholarship in Collaboration with Meta to Study the Intersection of Technology and Civil Rights

As a result of technical difficulties due to upgrades, the NCNW website was down on Friday, March 3, 2023, which was the final submission date for applications to the Project Height Scholarship. Whilst the application page remained open on the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation (DIHEF) website, the NCNW, DIHEF and META have acknowledged feedback that the outage of the NCNW website may have left some applicants unsure of the alternative submission site.

We have heard you.

Accordingly, we will reopen the scholarship link to allow for further submissions. This will be a one-time opportunity.

Program extended for limited time only. New applications may only be submitted during the following time window (24hrs):

Sunday, March 12 2023 between the hours of 11: 59p.m PST to Monday March 13, 2023 at 11: 59p.m PST
Monday, March 13, 2023 between the hours of 2: 59a.m EST to Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 2: 59 a.m. EST

We look forward to receiving your applications. Please read more about the opportunity as presented in the original press release below:

(WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 17, 2023) — Today, the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation (DIHEF) and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) announced the launch of the Project Height Scholarship Program, supported by Meta, to invest in the next generation of civil rights and technology leaders for a 2023 class.

President of the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation Alexis Herman welcomed the creation of the Project Height Scholarship Program and said, “Our hope is that our collective effort will advance inclusive technology product and policy development industry-wide, ensuring that the interests of underrepresented groups are counted.”

Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc (NCNW), also lauded the effort, “We are delighted to launch this scholarship together with the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation and Meta. The scholarships will complement our ongoing efforts to lead, advocate for, and empower students, with its emphasis on supporting underrepresented groups as they pursue this field of study and contribute to a safer and more inclusive tech ecosystem.”

Named after Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, who was president of the NCNW for over 40 years, the program will fund the establishment of twenty-six scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students with a career interest in civil rights and responsible technology product development. The scholarships will be open to undergraduate and graduate students of any discipline, with each scholarship awarding students $10,000 towards their studies. While funded by Meta, the DIHEF, in partnership with the NCNW, will select scholars to be part of the 2023 class.

Scholars will be invited to participate in Meta sponsored programming designed to inform students on how to look at the technology field via a civil rights lens in areas such as data science, product management, inclusive design and user experience.

Julie Wenah, Associate General Counsel and Product Lead, Civil Rights at Meta, added, “The emerging global focus on responsible technology, equitable products and offerings require intentional investments in future leaders. Meta’s investment in the Project Height Scholarship is in tribute to the principles Dr. Dorothy I. Height embodied – service to our global community and bridging divides between communities.”

To apply for the scholarship students will be required to submit a personal statement demonstrating that they have a commitment to service through volunteer efforts as well as an interest in the intersection of technology and civil rights. Applications open February 17, 2023. Applicants will be required to submit applications and required supporting documents by March 3, 2023, at 11:59 pm EST / 8:59 pm PST. Applicants will be informed of a decision by March 24, 2023. All Applicants will be informed of a decision by March 21, 2023. Full eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found here and on dorothyireneheight.org.

Application Criteria

Submit Application

Frequently Asked Questions

MEDIA CONTACTS ONLY:

Tonia Perry, APR

Eaddy Perry & Associates, Inc.

tperry@eaddyperry.com | 704-965-6956

Tkeban Jahannes

Director of Communications

tjahannes@ncnw.org | 404-944-1615