Press Releases

Ford Foundation Named "Diversity Champion" by Leading Higher Education Magazine

Ford has been a champion of diversity for more than three decades. The latest issue of Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine named the Ford Foundation one of 10 "Diversity Champions"—individuals and organizations that "are forging ahead with innovative, bold and consequential approaches to achieving a more inclusive society."

Creating Access to Opportunity

Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships program was established in the 1960s as the largest private fellowship program to foster diversity in the American professoriate. Originally called the Ford Minority Fellows program, it has provided more than $175 million for fellowships and related support to approximately 5,000 scholars from rural and urban communities—many of whom now hold positions in academe. Fifty-five percent are African American, 38 percent are Hispanic and 6 percent are Native American. Run by the National Academy of Sciences, the program annually makes some 60 predoctoral awards, 35 dissertation awards and 20 postdoctoral awards.

The Diversity Fellowships underscores the foundation's long-term efforts to focus on the needs of marginalized and underserved people—whether shut out from economic opportunity, human rights, or access to education—and ensure diverse leadership in the U.S. and abroad.

Building a Network of Support

Diversity Fellowships is one of many scholarly programs that we have long supported in the U.S. and abroad. Our other major initiatives include:

Project Grad
To improve high school graduation rates and college-going in poor, urban communities.

Community Colleges Bridges to Opportunity
To ensure a gateway to higher education among minority communities.

International Fellowships Program
To help emerging leaders from marginalized areas around the world pursue advanced degrees and apply their skills to their home communities.

Partnership for Higher Education In Africa
To help improve universities and higher education institutions in seven African countries.

Pathways to Higher Education
To help poor and minority students worldwide gain access to higher education and earn a university degree.

Read the article in Diverse Issues in Higher Education.