The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) is pleased to announce the 2025 application period for the NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program for Addictions Counseling (MFP-AC). This program is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation in collaboration with NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The program will administer up to 43 master’s degree–level counseling fellowships of $15,000 for addictions counseling students, plus the travel expenses to participate in other program-related trainings.

The NBCCF MFP helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to master’s-level counseling students, the NBCCF MFP strengthens the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of substance use disorder professional counselors who provide direct substance use disorder services to underserved populations. 

Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience in addictions/substance use services to one or more underserved communities. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status.
• Applicants must not already possess a master’s degree in a behavioral health field.
• Applicants must not receive any other federal funds (except for federal loans or work-study).
• Applicants must be enrolled and be in good standing in one of the following programs:

1. A Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited, master’s-level addictions counseling program or other master’s-level counseling program with a concentration in addictions.
2. An institutionally accredited master’s-level addictions counseling program or other master’s-level counseling program with a concentration in addictions.
3. An addictions program accredited by the National Addictions Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC).

• Applicants must have completed courses in fall 2024 or spring 2025 in a master’s-level addictions counseling program or other master’s-level counseling program with a concentration in addictions that is CACREP-accredited, institutionally accredited, or NASAC-accredited at the time of application.
• Applicants must be enrolled and be in good standing in courses in a master’s-level addictions counseling program or other master’s-level counseling program with a concentration in addictions that is CACREP-accredited, institutionally accredited, or NASAC-accredited. If awarded, all MFP-Addictions Counseling Fellowship (Master’s) recipients must remain enrolled part time or full time in their academic program for the duration of the fellowship.
• Applicants must commit to obtaining an addictions counseling credential, as evidenced by showing proof of applying for a state addictions certification after graduation and submit proof to NBCCF. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine their eligibility to obtain an addictions counseling credential prior to applying for the fellowship.
• Applicants must commit to 12 semester hours of substance use/addictions coursework, plus a full academic year of internship. (Note: The addictions coursework need not be completed at your home university. The 12 hours must be taken by the end of your academic program, not exclusively during the fellowship award year. On a case-by-case basis, the 12 semester hours may be waived if you apply for your state addiction counseling certification and agree to complete the process.)
• Applicants are expected to graduate by Dec. 31, 2028 (within 3 years of the date of the fellowship funding).
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated academic program completion date before Sept. 30, 2026, which will be verified in writing by their academic department prior to the awarding of funds.
• Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with addressing the substance use disorder needs of one or more underserved communities. 
• Applicants must commit to providing substance use disorder services to one or more underserved communities within 1 year of graduation and must commit to providing such services for the duration of 2 years postgraduation.
• Applicants must commit to securing a substance use services–related internship that provides experience with an underserved population.
• Applicants must commit to becoming nationally certified by applying for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification or applying for certification from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) prior to graduation and to completing the application process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine their eligibility to obtain these certifications prior to applying for the fellowship.
• Applicants should be able to attend the 2026 NBCC Foundation’s Bridging the Gap Symposium the week of March 12–14, 2026, and up to two other training events during their fellowship year. If applicants cannot attend a training, an alternate assignment identified by NBCCF will be required.

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website. 

To check the NASAC status of a program, search the NASAC website.

NOTE: Applicants are strongly advised to verify their eligibility for the NCC or NCC AP prior to applying. Requirements of the NCC certification can be found on NBCC’s website at nbcc.org/Certification/NCC. Requirements of the NCC AP certification can be found on NAADAC’s website at naadac.org/types-eligibility.

The application opens March 28, 2025, and the deadline is June 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm EDT. 

Fellowship awardees will be announced in October 2025.

Disclaimer: Please be advised that all NBCCF MFP awards are subject to future funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). If after reviewing our FAQ document you still have questions, please email foundation@nbcc.org or call 336-232-0376.

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) is pleased to announce the 2025 application period for the NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) for Mental Health Counseling (MHC-M). This program is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The NBCC Foundation will administer up to 32 master’s-level counseling fellowships of $12,000, plus the travel expenses to participate in program-related trainings for mental health counseling students. 

The NBCCF MFP helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to master’s-level counseling students, the NBCCF MFP strengthens the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of professional counselors.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with one or more underserved communities. Eligible applicants must commit to teach, administer services, conduct research, and/or provide direct mental health counseling to an underserved community.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status.
• Applicants must not already possess a master’s degree in a behavioral health field. 
• Applicants must not receive any other federal funds (except for federal loans, work-study, or employment).
• Applicants must have completed courses in fall 2024 or spring 2025 in a master’s-level counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or      counseling program pending CACREP accreditation.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled full time and be in good standing in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited, master’s-level counseling program or counseling program pending CACREP accreditation. If awarded, all MFP-Mental Health Counseling Master’s recipients must remain enrolled full time in their academic program for the duration of the fellowship.
• Applicants are expected to graduate by Dec. 31, 2028 (within 3 years of the date of the fellowship funding).
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated program completion date before Sept. 30, 2026, which will be verified in writing by their academic department prior to the awarding of funds.
• Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with underserved communities. 
• Applicants must commit to teach, administer services, conduct research, and/or provide direct mental health counseling to at least one underserved population within 1 year of graduation and for the duration of 2 years      postgraduation. 
• Applicants must commit to securing an internship that includes experience with one or more underserved populations.
• Applicants must commit to becoming nationally certified by applying for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification prior to graduation and completing the application process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine their eligibility to obtain this certification prior to applying for the fellowship.
• Applicants should be able to attend the 2026 NBCC Foundation’s Bridging the Gap Symposium the week of March 12–14, 2026, and to close their fellowship year at the 2026 NBCCF Fall Institute during the week of Sept. 9–13, 2026, and up to two other training events during their fellowship year. If applicants cannot attend a training, an alternate assignment identified by NBCCF will be required.

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website.

NOTE: Applicants are strongly advised to verify their eligibility for the NCC prior to applying. Requirements of the NCC certification can be found on NBCC’s website at nbcc.org/Certification/NCC.

The application opens March 28, 2025, and the deadline is June 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm EDT. 

Fellowship awardees will be announced in October 2025. 

Disclaimer: Please be advised that all NBCCF MFP awards are subject to future funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). If after reviewing our FAQ document you still have questions, please email Foundation@nbcc.org or call 336-232-0376. 

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) is pleased to announce the 2025 application period for the NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) for Mental Health Counseling (MHC-D). This program is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The NBCC Foundation will administer up to 20 doctoral-level counseling fellowships of $22,000, plus the travel expenses to participate in program-related trainings. 

The NBCCF MFP helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to doctoral counseling students, the NBCCF MFP strengthens the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of professional counselors. 

Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with one or more underserved communities. Eligible applicants must commit to teach, administer services, conduct research, and/or provide direct mental health counseling to an underserved community.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status.
• Applicants must not already possess a doctoral degree in a behavioral health field. 
• Applicants must not receive any other federal funds (except for federal loans, work-study, or employment).  
• Applicants must currently be nationally certified by holding the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. If the applicant is not currently nationally certified, they must document all of the following: 

1. A full state license as a professional counselor. 
2. A passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
3. A commitment to apply for the NCC credential and to complete the application within the shortest possible timeframe after notification of the MFP award. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine their eligibility to obtain this certification prior to applying for the fellowship. 

• Applicants must have completed courses in fall 2024 or spring 2025 in a doctoral-level counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or counseling program pending CACREP accreditation at the time of application.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled full time and be in good standing in a CACREP-accredited, doctoral-level counseling program or counseling program pending CACREP accreditation. If awarded, all MFP-Mental Health Counseling Doctoral fellowship recipients must remain enrolled full time in their academic program for the duration of the fellowship.
• Applicants are expected to graduate by Dec. 31, 2028 (within 3 years of the date of the fellowship funding).
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated academic program completion date before Sept. 30, 2026, which will be verified in writing by their academic department prior to the awarding of funds.
• Applicants must have demonstrated knowledge and experience with underserved communities.
• Applicants must commit to teach, administer, research, and/or provide direct mental health services to underserved populations in the private, nonprofit, or public sectors within 1 year of graduation and for the duration of 2 years postgraduation. 
• Applicants should be able to attend the 2026 NBCC Foundation’s Bridging the Gap Symposium the week of March 12–14, 2026, and up to two other training events during their fellowship year. If applicants cannot attend a training, an alternate assignment identified by NBCCF will be required.

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website.

NOTE: Applicants who are not already NCCs are strongly advised to verify their eligibility for the NCC prior to applying. The NCC certification requirements can be found on NBCC’s website at nbcc.org/Certification/NCC.

The application opens March 28, 2025, and the deadline is June 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm EDT. 

Fellowship awardees will be announced in October 2025. 

Disclaimer: Please be advised that all NBCCF MFP awards are subject to future funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). If after reviewing our FAQ document you still have questions, please email Foundation@nbcc.org or call 336-232-0376. 

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) offers scholarships and fellowships to increase counseling services where they are needed most. NBCCF Board of Trustees determines priority areas annually. The current priority underserved areas are military communities, rural communities, minority populations, substance abuse, and career counseling and guidance. NBCCF also offers the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) scholarships and training awards. These awards enhance the careers of credentialed professionals by providing financial assistance to those seeking additional credentials and continuing education opportunities. 

NBCCF is accepting applications for volunteer application reviewers and mentors. 

NBCCF Volunteers Eligibility Requirements:

All NBCCF volunteers must meet the following eligibility requirements: 

• A master’s degree (or higher) in counseling and a minimum of two years of postgraduate experience. 

• Certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in good standing.

• Counseling experience related to serving military, minority, rural populations, career counseling, or underserved minority populations.

• Volunteer application reviewers must commit to one review cycle.

• Volunteer mentors must commit to providing mentorship for a minimum of one year.

Application Reviewer Opportunities:

NBCCF volunteers will review scholarship and fellowship applications and rate applicants based on Board-determined criteria. Foundation staff will provide online training, the review periods will be 2-4 weeks in duration, and average eight hours of actual review time. All review processes will be online.

Interested NCCs should submit a brief letter of interest and résumé. The letter should demonstrate eligibility and availability and explain the potential candidate’s interest in being an application reviewer. 

Additional Eligibility Requirements for Reviewers:

      Fellowship and Scholarship Reviewers:

• Experience and knowledge with one or more of the following:

                 Career counseling and guidance

                 Substance abuse

                 Military and veteran populations

                 Rural communities

                 Underserved minority groups

                 Transition age youth

      CCE Scholarship Reviewers:

• Must hold one of the following CCE credentials, and be in good standing:

                  CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)

                  Board Certified Coach (BCC)

                  Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF)

                  Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) 

• Extensive experience working with and knowledge of one or more of the populations that the listed credential holders serve.

Mentorship Opportunities:

Each year, the Foundation awards fellowships and scholarships to more than 80 counseling master’s students who commit to serving the Foundation’s priority underserved populations of military communities, rural communities and minority populations or providing career development services. The fellowships and scholarships provide substantial financial awards as well as training and support services, including mentors. 

Experienced master’s-level National Certified Counselors (NCCs) have the opportunity to volunteer as mentors for the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) and NBCC Foundation scholarship program. Fellows and scholars with active mentor connections demonstrate increased success in completing master’s programs, contributing effective research, and attaining related employment and other opportunities. NBCCF will match mentors and Fellows or Scholars based on interests and experience. 

At minimum, mentors will provide four interactions with their assigned Fellow or Scholar and make themselves available for additional inquiries based on mutual agreement with their mentee. Mentors will receive online training and orientation prior to engagement. The duration of the commitment is one year. 

NCCs interested in mentoring can submit their application (including a brief letter of interest and résumé). The letter of interest should demonstrate eligibility and explain the candidate’s interest in being a mentor and expected achievements and outcomes for the mentoring process. 

Additional Eligibility Requirements for Mentors:

      Master’s Level Fellowship or Scholarship Mentors:

• Counseling experience related to serving military, minority, rural populations, career counseling, or underserved minority populations.
• Commit to providing mentorship for a minimum of one year. 

      Doctoral Level Fellowship Mentors:

• Doctoral degree in counseling and a minimum of two years of postdoctoral experience;
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with racially and ethnically diverse populations; and
• Counseling experience related to providing mental health or substance abuse services to underserved minority populations.
• Commit to providing mentorship for a minimum of one year. 

For more information about the Foundation scholarship and fellowship programs, visit www.nbccf.org  

The NBCC Foundation is seeking dynamic presenters for our monthly webinar programs on (1) Innovations in Counseling: Working with Minority Populations and (2) Building Professional Excellence. These webinars enhance care for underserved minorities and provide ongoing training to NCCs and CCE credential holders in addition to Foundation scholars and fellows. These resources become part of our capacity-building plan and are archived in our webinar library available on CCE Academy. 

Webinars are conducted online, and no travel commitment is required from our webinar presenters. The NBCC Foundation handles all the logistics of managing the webinar platform, advertising and promotion. All webinar presenters must hold a minimum of a master's degree in counseling or a related mental health field and be a board certified counselor.