HHS Creates Fellowship and Career Fairs for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

WASHINGTON — DECEMBER 17, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today launched an agency-wide initiative to strengthen engagement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), following President Trump’s Executive Order establishing the White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

HHS is launching the Roy Wilkins Fellowship for HBCU students interested in public service. Named for longtime National Association for the Advancement of Colored People leader and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Roy Wilkins (1901–1981), the fellowship recognizes his achievements in advancing equality and strengthening democratic institutions. Wilkins worked closely with Senator Robert F. Kennedy during the pivotal civil rights debates of the 1960s and advocated during the Cold War for the advancement of African Americans in the U.S. military. The HHS program in his honor provides for paid fellowships in the Office of the Secretary.

HHS’ major operating divisions, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, will host career fair days with partnering HBCUs. These events are designed to provide professional development opportunities for HBCU students to help build America's workforce in technology, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and other high-growth industries.

“HBCUs have produced generations of doctors, scientists, and public health leaders who serve their communities with skill and purpose,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We want to strengthen that legacy. HHS will work side by side with HBCU students and faculty to meaningfully support research that improves health outcomes across the country.”

Secretary Kennedy today hosted a roundtable with deans and leaders from HBCU medical schools; participants discussed opportunities to strengthen training, research, and workforce pathways. The discussion underscored the need for sustained partnerships and direct engagement across HHS. As a result of such collaboration, HHS will continue building ties with HBCUs that support excellence in education, research, and workforce development.