BiR + 3M Master Student Tution Fellowship
Black in Robotics is proud to partner with 3M Corporation (www.3m.com) to provide a Master’s student Fellowship. This fellowship is designed to help Master’s students in the United States by assisting in paying for tuition, providing mentorship, and networking with the 3M organization towards internship and job opportunities.
Apply here by July 31, 2026, 11:59p AOE (anywhere on earth). Black in Robotics is proud to partner with 3M for a Master's graduate student Fellowship for tuition and school health insurance $15-$25k. BiR plans to support 2-3 students in this cycle.
The awarded student may be reimbursed for Fall 2025 tuition fees already paid, and BiR will cover the remaining academic year tuition for a total of up to $15-25k for the academic year based on student need and availability of BiR funds.
Award selection is expected mid to late August.
Eligibility
Student applicant completed an undergraduate degree and is actively enrolled in a United States academic institution offering a Master's degree in robotics robotics-related field (Engineering - such as (but not limited to): Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aeronautics and Astronautics, Electrical Engineering) [if you have any questions for related field please email: blackinrobotics@gmail.com]
Must be a current member of Black in Robotics (https://blackinrobotics.org/join-us) and an enrolled participant in the BiR resume book (https://resumebook.blackinrobotics.org/ - site access available when added to the email list through join-us link (https://blackinrobotics.org/join-us), and upon request: blackinrobotics@gmail.com) - Membership in Black in Robotics is free and open to all.
Awardees will be selected based on:
Strong Academic Record
Distance Traveled (socio-economic barriers the applicant has overcome and current financial hurdles faced while pursuing the MS degree)
Technical skills that 3M looks for in potential interns (these can be indicated below, but personal portfolio websites linked in your CV are highly encouraged to illustrate your technical abilities)
Application Materials
Personal Statement (1 page)
Resume/CV
Undergraduate unofficial transcript
Proof of graduate school enrollment (acceptance/enrollment correspondence)
Recommender Email (e.g. undergraduate academic instructor, internship mentor, etc) - Please see below as they must submit their letter for you to the BiR email by the same deadline.
Letters of Recommendation (to be received independently on due date)
Students must alert and follow up with their recommenders to email PDF letters on their behalf to BiR (blackinrobotics@gmail.com) by the application due date (above). Letters must be received by this date for eligibility
Recommenders should email their PDF to BiR with the subject line: "BiR 3M fellowship Reference 2026: [Student Name] reference from [Reference Name]" (substituting your name for applicant and theirs for reference - and this should come from the email you provided above). This is due on the same date the application is due (above)
Letter content
How do they know the applicant (how long and in what capacity - classes, research, etc)
Speak to the technical skills of the applicant (strengths in academic/research/work and notable, relevant accomplishments)
Anything else relevant to the fellowship that stands out in support of the applicant (e.g., financial need, future aspirations)
For Applicants, the following rubric is used during selection
Applicants’ academic record: do they exhibit a strong academic record or demonstrate substantial growth (distance traveled)?
Financial Need: Do they discuss or imply the financial hardship they are experiencing, and the impact the fellowship would have?
Career Goals: Do they discuss how their current degree and education are enabling their future societal impact?
Recommendation Letter: How do their recommenders discuss their academic ability, financial need, and future aspirations? Is their recommender a strong source (educator/employer vs childhood friend)?
Technical Expertise: We are hoping to promote candidates to 3M as potential interns, so as a last criterion among equals in the above categories, how well do they match the technical expertise desired by 3M?
Academic Year 2026-27 Awardees
Samuel Oyefusi, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Class of 2026
Samuel Oluwakorede Oyefusi is an incoming PhD student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Oakland University, where his research focuses on perception for autonomous systems. His work aims to enable robots to reason about environments beyond their immediate sensor range and interact more naturally, safely, and effectively with people. He is passionate about developing intelligent robotic systems that can operate reliably in complex real-world environments.
Samuel earned a First-Class Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria, where he developed Africa's first cleaning and disinfection robot and was granted a patent for the innovation. He also conducted robotics research at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where he expanded his interests in human-robot interaction. Beyond his research, Samuel is committed to broadening access to robotics and artificial intelligence education across Africa through mentorship, outreach, and capacity-building initiatives.
His leadership and advocacy work have included serving as a Global Ambassador for Theirworld, an Envoy for UNLEASH, and a member of the Young People's Action Team for Generation Unlimited and UNICEF Nigeria. Through these roles, he has contributed to initiatives that promote quality education, STEM engagement, and youth empowerment. Samuel aspires to become a Professor and Industry Research Leader, advancing robotics technologies that solve some of society's most challenging problems while building collaborative Research Ecosystems and Institutions that connect talent and innovation across borders.
Briana Skinner, Florida International University, Class of 2028
Briana Skinner is a graduate student at Florida International University pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Engineering. Her interest in robotics grew through hands-on research experiences, where she became fascinated by the challenges that arise when intelligent systems must perceive, understand, and interact with the physical world. She is particularly interested in autonomous systems and how robots can operate safely and reliably in complex and changing environments.
Briana plans to pursue a PhD in robotics and build a career as a researcher developing intelligent robotic systems that can address real-world challenges. Her long-term goal is to lead research that advances robotics while also creating opportunities for students from underserved communities to gain meaningful exposure to the field. She hopes to build spaces where students are encouraged to explore and imagine themselves contributing to the future of robotics.
Christine Ohenzuwa, Carnegie Mellon University, Class of 2027
Christine is a mechanical engineer with experience in developing novel methods for multi-robot collaboration as well as modeling emerging vehicle technologies. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Prior to her Master’s degree, she received bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University. At CMU, she has conducted research assessing the performance of AI models on vision-based path planning tasks. More recently, she is developing a physical implementation of an algorithm that improves multi-robot collaboration under communication delays. Additionally, for the last three years, she has worked as an engineering associate at a non-profit organization focused on stewarding the deployment and adoption of zero-emission transportation technologies. To this end, she has completed performance analysis, validation tests, and tracked key performance indicators for public transit agencies deploying battery-electric vehicles across the United States.
Christine’s background in robotics research and sustainable transportation has inspired her to find ways to leverage techniques in machine learning and control theory for multi-agent collaboration with applications in shared zero-emission autonomous transportation and unsupervised exploratory research led by robot teams.
Outside of the lab and work, Christine enjoys taking care of her plants, thrift shopping, keeping up with new album drops, and writing poems.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-ohenzuwa/
Kelsey Fontenot, Columbia University, Class of 2027
Kelsey Fontenot received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Controls, Instrumentation, and Robotics — and a Minor in Literature — at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University. Before beginning her graduate studies, Kelsey served as a Research Engineer at the Taiwan Ocean Research Institute in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where she developed underwater nodal communication devices and vehicles using locally sourced components, designed and tested metamaterial housings to minimize operational footprint, and built ROS2 and Gazebo simulations to validate system behavior prior to physical deployment.
Kelsey's research at MIT centered on autonomous robotic manipulation in high-throughput laboratory environments. As an undergraduate researcher in the MIT Accelerated Materials Laboratory for Sustainability — working alongside Principal Investigator Tonio Buonassisi and Dr. Alexander Siemenn — she engineered ASHE (Automated Substrate Handling and Exchange) and published her findings in Digital Discovery in July 2026.
Kelsey is committed to expanding access to engineering for women and underrepresented communities. She joined Black in Robotics to continue that work alongside a community that shares both her technical ambitions and her understanding of the barriers that shape who gets to pursue them.
AY 2025-26 Awardees
Sosna Achamyeleh, The George Washington University, Class of 2027
Sosna Achamyeleh earned a BSc in Software Engineering and Computing Technology from Addis Ababa University in 2024. Following graduation, she served as an Assistant Lecturer at the university and worked as a Software Developer at a private company in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In September 2023, she joined Black in Robotics and has been an active member since then.
She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science at The George Washington University. Her research focuses on computer vision, with an emphasis on developing methods to accelerate medical image analysis in order to enhance diagnostic accuracy, reduce patient wait times, and improve healthcare delivery.
Adebowale Adelekan, Brown University, Class of 2026
Adebowale Adelekan is a Computer Science master’s student at Brown University, specializing in artificial intelligence and its applications to real-world systems. His interest in robotics began when he represented Indiana University at the Artificial Intelligence Maritime Maneuver Inter-Collegiate Challenge, hosted by Trine University in partnership with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane) and supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). In this competition, he designed a model for detecting buoys in the water and generating waypoints for autonomous navigation around them. The experience sparked his curiosity about designing and controlling intelligent systems capable of operating in complex environments.
He went on to intern at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) through the SIParCS program, where he co-designed a network of 3D-printed, solar-powered weather stations that transmitted environmental data over radio for community-driven monitoring. Adebowale currently interns at Jaia Robotics, where he writes software that interfaces with multiple hardware components to support data collection, transmission, and navigation of aquatic drones.
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/adadelek
AY 2024-25 Awardees
Shergaun Roserie, Stanford University, 2026
Shergaun Roserie's passion for robotics began in 2017 when he led Saint Lucia’s National Robotics Team at the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge in Washington, DC. This pivotal experience inspired him to advance STEM education in the Caribbean and pursue mechanical engineering at Howard University, where he developed a semi-automatic robotic inspection system for his senior project.
As co-founder of Orbtronics Ltd., Shergaun has trained over 850 youth in STEM and secured funding to establish the Caribbean’s first Innovation Hub. His work includes the development of a vertical lift-off medical courier drone, a soil nutrient sensing device for precision agriculture, and an integrated semi-automatic robotic inspection system. His participation in the Google Hardware Product Sprint enhanced his skills in hardware design, while professional experiences at Microsoft and Cummins exposed him to cutting-edge projects, including designing mechanisms for the Surface Duo and Surface Laptops.
Shergaun aims to position Orbtronics as the Caribbean’s leading robotics company and empower underrepresented communities with the tools to thrive in a technology-driven future.
Benard Adewole, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Class 2026
With interests cutting across medical robotics, autonomy, and robot perception, Benard is deeply passionate about incorporating Robotics, Software, and Artificial Intelligence to enhance the human quality of life. Being an active member of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory (AiRoL) as an undergrad at the University of Lagos, Benard contributed to stellar projects and co-represented the University of Lagos at the National Artificial Intelligence Summit. This summit fostered their interest in STEM fields. I am currently enrolled in the Robotics master’s program at the University of Michigan, where I am actively learning and contributing to the ongoing prosthetic research.
Majazz Allah, Kennesaw State University, Class of 2025
Inspired by engineers like Dr. Ronald E. McNair and Lonnie Johnson, Allah has combined his passion for robotics and space exploration with a commitment to empowering underrepresented communities. As the founder and program director of ATOM Robotics, he has mentored dozens of students from marginalized backgrounds, many of whom have pursued careers in astronautics and energy research. During his tenure as the Pre-Collegiate Initiative Chair of Kennesaw State University’s NSBE chapter, Allah collaborated with NSBE Jr. of Cobb County to establish their robotics program and co-led the Accessible Calculus Project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at making advanced mathematics more accessible. Now pursuing a master’s degree in Robotics and Intelligent Systems at Kennesaw State University, Allah strives to develop innovative space technologies while building inclusive communities that inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
2023 Awardee Finalists
Keeghan Patrick, MIT, Class of 2023
Keeghan's interest in robotics stems back to his late adolescence when he got an opportunity to represent his country at the First Global Robotics Challenge in Washington DC in 2017. This competition was the inaugural event of the Robotics Challenge and it would go on to serve as the defining moment for Keeghan's career. It is at this competition Keeghan expressed the true passion of an engineer seeing his product perform on a global stage. This early joy and passion pushed Keeghan to study mechanical engineering at his regional university the University of the West Indies then later go on to study at MIT to pursue his Master's degree in Advanced Manufacturing and Design. In that time frame, Keeghan would have worked on numerous projects including the design of an autonomous drone for medical delivery (patent pending), the design of an autonomous hull cleaning robot, and most recently his master’s thesis focusing on a machine learning approach to improving diameter control in desktop fiber extrusion processes.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeghan-patrick/
Darryl York III, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Class 2025
Darryl is from Omaha, Nebraska and is pursuing a Masters in Computer Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Darryl’s interest in robotics started in the 6th grade when completing a Lego robotics set. Now, Darryl’s research is focused on autonomous swarm drone anomaly detection.
Immanuel Ampomah Mensah, Northeastern University, Class 2025
Immanuel Ampomah Mensah is a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Mechatronics at Northeastern University. His passion for robotics was ignited during his internship at iRobot and further developed during his tenure as an autonomous vehicles engineer at Motional. Currently, he serves as a Research Assistant at Northeastern's Institute of Experiential Robotics and is an integral member of the Programmable and Reconfigurable Soft Engineered Systems [PARSES] lab. Outside the academic realm, Immanuel demonstrated his leadership and diverse interests by founding both the Northeastern University Robotics Club and its Taekwondo team.
Furthermore, Immanuel is deeply committed to making STEM more accessible. He has undertaken roles as the Robotics Program Lead at the Boys and Girls Club of Lowell and an after-school mentor at the John D. O'Bryant School of Math and Science. He's also contributed as a course developer for Northeastern's high school outreach program, NEPTUN. Recognized as a Northeastern University Scholar during his undergraduate studies, Immanuel remains dedicated to promoting inclusivity within the STEM fields.