bp HBCU Fellowship Program Awards $1.35M to N.C. A&T

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Feb. 20, 2023) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has received $1.35 million through bp’s new HBCU Fellowship Program to provide students with scholarship funding, exposure to the energy industry and career development experience.

N.C. A&T joins Florida A&M University and Prairie View A&M University as the three historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs) awarded a portion of a $4.05 million total gift from bp. The funds cover five full scholarships per year at each school for three years – a total of 45 full scholarships during that period.

Students who successfully complete the program will be provided with opportunities for additional development, including internships.

“North Carolina A&T is proud to be a catalyst for success by preparing well-trained graduates to fuel the energy sector and its essential infrastructure,” said Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. “We are happy to partner with bp, a corporation demonstrating its commitment to establishing, maintaining and growing a talent pipeline. We know that investing in education results in economic growth and civic engagement that fosters innovative solutions to global challenges.”

A&T, Florida A&M and Prairie View A&M are part of bp’s talent pipeline, and the company has successfully recruited talent from each university.

“We need the best and the brightest talent as we transform our company,” said Mark Crawford, bp’s senior vice president, global diversity, equity and inclusion. “We are thrilled to work with these great universities and provide students with an opportunity to earn a degree while giving them real-world experience in the exciting and evolving energy sector.”

The donation builds on bp’s aim for greater diversity, equity and inclusion for its workforce and customers. The company has taken steps in recent years to develop a global framework for action to guide its efforts in the areas of talent, accountability, and transparency. As a result, it has launched gender and minority ambitions and designed programs supporting the development of ethnic minority talent.

“Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion goes beyond just words,” said Dave Lawler, bp America chairman and president. “It’s our actions that define us, and this program will help us develop a consistent pipeline of talent for the future. This is another example of how we’re driving change across bp and building a culture that gives everyone an opportunity to succeed.” 

Specific, consistent criteria for student selection was created and agreed upon by bp and the selected universities. Scholarships will be open to all U.S. students on each campus who have an interest in the energy sector, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and are in good standing. 

Applications for the program will open in the first quarter of 2023, with students notified in April of a final decision. A committee consisting of university faculty will select the final recipients with input from bp.