The application for the 2026-2027 first-year cohort will open on May 15, 2026. The application deadline is set for June 7th at 11:59 PM.

Applicants who are selected for the program can expect to receive their acceptance notification between June 22, 2026 and June 25, 2026.

Every academic year, a cohort of about 20 students will be accepted into the Kessler Scholars Program. 

There is no cost to participate in the Kessler Scholars Program. Participants will receive an academic stipend to support their engagement in the program.

For the academic year 2026-2027, first-year students will receive $2,000 to support their participation. This amount is disbursed in two parts at the end of each semester upon completion of program requirements. This amount is subject to change for future cohorts as it is contingent upon grant funding. 

Kessler Scholars are expected to arrive on campus on Sunday, August 30th between 9am and 2pm and attend a three day KSP Welcome and Retreat from August 30th to September 1st. Please note: the cost of travel to Brown is not covered by the program. Please reach out to program staff if you need assistance with transportation to Brown from the airport/bus/train station.

The required cohort gatherings consist of the entire cohort coming together for dinner and a meeting. The session is usually 2 hours long in the evening, and dinner is provided. Each gathering will cover themes relevant to the cohort’s class year. Gatherings focus on reflection, discussion, and resource engagement. For resource engagement gatherings, we will typically invite a campus partner that we feel is beneficial for students to know about. Scholars will become familiar with the resources available on campus and how to engage with them. They will also be a part of an affirming community where they have opportunities to get to know themselves and each other on a meaningful level. Gatherings are held in a circle format, a practice rooted in an indigenous culture that centers on collective learning, respect, and community. 

While the Kessler Scholars Program (KSP) integrates leadership development into the program curriculum, Kessler Scholars are expected to assume at least one leadership role or engage in at least one leadership activity within the broader campus community per academic year. Scholars may fulfill this requirement by demonstrating leadership in a student group, identity center, campus event, High Impact Practice, etc., and articulating this experience in a short narrative due at the end of the academic year. 

The required one-to-one advising sessions with professional staff serve as an opportunity for mentorship, advising, and support for Kessler Scholars. Professional staff will tailor the sessions to support Scholars’ semesterly and/or yearly personal and academic goals. Topics can range from course selection, time management, strategies for succeeding at Brown, finding community at Brown, finding socio-emotional balance, and more!

At the moment, we are only considering incoming first-time first-year students for the Kessler Scholars Program at Brown. While KSP is one way to engage with your U-FLi community, we encourage you to attend the many other programs and events hosted by the U-FLi Center throughout the year. The U-FLi Center and staff are also available as a resource and support system and can meet individually with you for one-on-one advising.

Yes, you may apply to the Kessler Scholars Program and other cohort-based programs. However, due to conflicting time commitments and high student expectations, students can only participate in one cohort-based program. Students who have already committed to another cohort-based program are not eligible to be considered for KSP. 

At the moment, we are only considering incoming first-time first-year students for the Kessler Scholars Program at Brown. Please note that even if you are not a Kessler Scholar, the U-FLi Center has many programs, events, and resources, such as one-on-one advising with professional staff and peer advising with student staff available to all U-FLi students. Transfer and RUE students also benefit greatly from the support, programming, and advising provided by the TRUE Orientation and Program.