SBS Excelerator Fellowship

2025 Excelerator Fellows with S B S Commissioner Dynishal Gross at their graduation in the S B S conference room

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Excelerator Fellowship is a highly selective, extended summer fellowship program for creative, curious, and entrepreneurial students that will earn their graduate and/or undergraduate degrees by Spring 2026. We are recruiting fellows that are passionate about creating life-changing opportunities and unlocking economic opportunity for New York City businesses, jobseekers, and neighborhoods.

Fellows manage individual projects and collaborate on thoughtful new pilots, policies, or efforts to benefit New York City businesses, jobseekers, and neighborhoods. Excelerator fellowship projects are as diverse as the fellows we will host. Fellowship projects are creative, thoughtful, and offer the opportunity to work on assignments across the agency. Fellows also take part in professional development opportunities to gain skills and insights to shape their career trajectories. Fellows will work in-person at SBS's offices from June 15, 2026, to October 15, 2026.

The 2026 application is now open. Applications will close on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. In addition to completing the application, please email your resume to careers@sbs.nyc.gov with the subject line: Excelerator Fellowship 2026.

Apply Now for the Excelerator Fellowship

Testimonials

"The fellowship gave me the best of both worlds: in the field, I developed strong people skills through direct interaction with New Yorkers, and in the office, I sharpened my data analysis skills by working with both quantitative and qualitative feedback. The ability to see how our office work directly informed and improved programming made the experience especially meaningful." - 2025 Excelerator Fellow Ece Doğramacı

"The program has helped me grow professionally more than any internship ever has! My Excel proficiency increased substantially, and my professional writing skills were also honed. It also helped me learn how to conduct professional interactions, both verbal and written." - 2025 Excelerator Fellow Yash DiMauro

"This fellowship has been more than a professional experience – it has been an amazing pipeline into understanding the innerworkings of city government. I've witnessed, firsthand, the dedication it takes to serve New Yorkers, and I've learned how collaboration across teams, divisions, and agencies can bring large ideas to fruition. While there were challenges, I felt excited to tackle new projects because I had the support, encouragement, and advice from my supervisors and peers who pushed me to grow while verifying I had the tools to succeed." - 2025 Excelerator Fellow Elizabeth Le

"Being part of the Excelerator Fellowship program has been a great experience. The program offered a rigorous structure, access to exceptional mentors, and the opportunity to work alongside a highly accomplished cohort. It not only provided deep insights into the field, but also the tools and networks necessary to conduct meaningful work on agency projects. The professional growth I experienced through this fellowship will continue to guide and shape my path in the future." - 2025 Excelerator Fellow Jeron Perry

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the steps in the application process?

Join an optional information session.

Complete the online application (due Sunday, February 1, at 11:59 p.m.)
Qualified applicants will be invited to a 30-minute video interview
Finalists will be invited to participate in an in-person group interview with other candidates. Group interviews will take place in March.
Cohort selections and announcement will be made in mid/late Spring

How long is the fellowship?

This is an extended summer, four-month fellowship which runs from June 15, 2026, through October 15, 2026.

How is my work for the fellowship determined?

Fellows are assigned primary projects through an extensive matchmaking process at the beginning of the summer. Fellows are matched with projects that make use of their skillsets while providing an opportunity to stretch and grow, with projects that are both interesting and challenging. Projects are directly informed by the current needs of the agency, meaning each fellowship cohort is provided with unique and relevant assignments.

What are examples of previous fellowship projects?

Fellows have worked on a wide array of projects throughout the agency. Past projects include developing pilot Cannabis NYC programs, researching street vendor support pipelines, connecting New Yorkers to “new collar jobs”, pitching small business policy proposals, analyzing business education data, and sharing neighborhood development success stories.

Are you looking for a specific professional or educational background?

Successful fellows can come from a wide variety of backgrounds, drawing on diverse and creative skillsets. All applicants must be currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program and graduate by Spring 2026.

If you have an interest in creating life-changing opportunities by helping New York City businesses, jobseekers and neighborhoods unlock their economic potential, this might be the fellowship for you!

What are the mentorship and professional development components of the fellowship?

Fellows participate in regular check ins with supervisors, have access to professional development trainings, and join colleagues at all-staff events and lunch-and-learns with government officials, agency partners and industry experts.

Fellows also accompany the Commissioner to external meetings and attend informational site visits. External engagements in 2025 included roundtables with the Mayor, hiring halls across the boroughs, meetings with international delegations, district visits with elected officials, and trips to the United Nations, City Hall and Governors Island.

How many fellows will be selected for the cohort?

Each cohort is comprised of 4-6 fellows.

What is the salary for the fellowship?

Fellows will be compensated approximately $17,000 for the four-month fellowship. The pay is $21.40 per hour for a 35-hour work week plus a $3,000 taxable fellowship stipend upon completion of all program requirements.

What are the hours of the fellowship?

Fellows work in a fast-paced, agile environment with schedules determined by assigned projects and agency needs. Fellows are expected to report to the office full-time from Monday to Friday.