Adelphi Receives $982,000 for Entrepreneur Program
The federally funded nine-month program will train founders of startup ideas in the New York and New Jersey region beginning in February 2027.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Internships
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Adelphi University received $982,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce to fund a free entrepreneurship program called the Adelphi Entrepreneur Experience. The program is scheduled to launch in February 2027 and serves selected students and individuals not enrolled at the university.
Why it matters
The federal funding gives aspiring founders in the New York area access to structured business training at no cost. The program is aimed at supporting new businesses in high-growth and high-demand industries across the state.
The $982,000 award will fund six four-week learning sessions over nine months, with two planned cohorts of 20 students each, in spring and fall 2027. Eligibility is limited to founders living, working or studying in nine counties, though the total applicant pool was not reported.
The players
Adelphi University
Adelphi University is a private university on Long Island in Garden City, New York, known for its Robert B. Willumstad School of Business.
U.S. Department of Commerce
The U.S. Department of Commerce is the federal cabinet department responsible for promoting economic growth, trade and business development across the country.
The details
Participants will gain hands-on experience through project-based externships and develop business strategies, products and fundraising skills. Adelphi is partnering with CVL Economics and Extern to support the program, with training focused on sectors such as biotechnology, clean technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology, healthcare and education technology.
Timeline
Jan. 19, 2027: Application deadline for the inaugural February cohort.
February 2027: Adelphi Entrepreneur Experience scheduled to launch.
Spring 2027: First group of 20 students planned to begin.
Fall 2027: Second group of 20 students planned to begin.
Market Landscape
The award is a grant under the Minority Business Development Agency's PJM Entrepreneur Education Program, a federal effort to expand business training to underserved entrepreneurs. Adelphi's program places that federal framework inside a regional metro-area network spanning New York and New Jersey counties.
Eligible New Yorkers and New Jersey residents can apply at no cost to receive nine months of training and project-based externships. Selection is limited to original founders of startup ideas who live, work or study in one of the nine qualifying counties.
The takeaway
Aspiring founders who meet the county and founder requirements should watch the January 2027 deadline and prepare a clear startup concept. Early preparation gives applicants the best chance at a spot in one of the two planned cohorts.
What happens next
Applications for the inaugural February cohort close on Jan. 19, 2027, and the first group of 20 students is planned to begin in spring 2027.
Further reading
Explore more internship opportunities to see how other New York programs connect students with real business experience.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New City Daily Voice.
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