Prospective Students

Our selection process occurs during the late fall and early spring semesters and includes four stages: nomination, application, group interview, and individual interview. Before beginning the selection process, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the “About Us” section of the website to learn more about the Blackburn Institute’s vision, mission, and values. Below are the selection deadlines and details for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Nominations

August 1, 2025 – January 14, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)

Nominees receive notification of their nomination via e-mail.

Students may self-nominate or be nominated by a member of the university’s faculty or staff, Blackburn Fellows (alumni), Students, or Advisory Board members. We seek students who:

  • indicate strong interest in learning about issues facing the state of Alabama;
  • demonstrate a desire and a capacity to lead through campus and community involvement;
  • have a particular passion for improving their community, state, or nation;
  • demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively to take strategic action;
  • demonstrate an openness to dialogue with others holding disparate views on public policy, civic engagement, and community action;
  • bring unique life experiences and ideas; and
  • have at least one full year remaining as a student (undergraduate or graduate from any major/discipline) at The University of Alabama.

Interest Session

January 14, 2026 (5 – 7 p.m.)

Nominees and students who are curious about the Blackburn Institute are invited to an interest session, where they learn more about the Institute and the selection process, as well as meet current Blackburn students and have a chance to ask questions.

Application

January 15 (12 p.m.) – January 26, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)

In mid- to late-January, nominated students who are interested in the Institute will then complete an application consisting of one essay question. Essays are evaluated anonymously by a panel of Blackburn Fellows, Advisory Board members, students, and campus staff members.

Group Interviews

February 10 – 12, 2026

All applicants participate in a small-group interview with other applicants in mid-February. The panel of observers for the group interviews will typically consist of a Blackburn staff member, a current Blackburn student, and another member of our community (student, Fellow, or Advisory Board member).

Individual Interviews

February 26 – 28, 2026

A combined score from both the application essay and group interview performance is used to determine the students selected for individual interviews. Selected students will be notified by e-mail and conduct the interview in late-February with a review panel of Advisory Board members, staff, students, and Fellows.

2025-2026 Required Events and Activities

Students accepted into the Blackburn Institute’s 2025 New Student Class are required to attend the following events. The Institute will provide transportation to all required off-campus events. Events for the 2026 New Student Class will be updated in November.

Events

New Student Orientation

Mar 02

Time 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

D. Ray Pate New Student Retreat

Mar 28 – May 29

Time 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Location Off-Campus

Annual Networking Dinner sponsored by Vulcan Materials Company Foundation

Apr 14

Time 4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Location Birmingham, Al

Annual Symposium

Aug 22 – Aug 23

Time 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Pre-Trip Preparation Meeting (TBD)

Sep 28

Time 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Pre-Trip Preparation Meeting (TBD, Alternate Date)

Sep 28

Time 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Burt Jones Rural Community Experience

Oct 29 – Nov 01

Time 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Location Off-Campus

Post-Trip Debriefing

Nov 09

Time 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Daniel Community Scholars Poster Presentations and Reception

Nov 19 – Nov 06

Time 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Pre-Trip Preparation Meeting

Jan 07

Time 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Protective Life Government Experience

Jan 22 – Jan 23

Time 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Location Montgomery, AL

Post-Trip Debriefing

Feb 01

Time 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Program Activities

Additionally, selected students commit to the following program activities:

  • Advising meetings in the Fall 2025 Semester with Blackburn Institute staff members;
  • Group work necessary to research and plan (Fall 2025), and implement (Spring 2026) a class civic engagement project; and
  • Monthly small-group meetings (September, October, and November 2025, and February 2026).