NYU Wagner Launches a New ‘Impact Leaders’ Scholarship

NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is launching Impact Leaders, a new scholarship designed to invest in students who will take on complex, consequential challenges across government, nonprofit organizations, health systems, and urban infrastructure. Scholarship recipients receive tuition support and join the Wagner student community as part of a shared academic and professional environment, working with faculty, peers, and practitioners to develop, test, and apply ideas in real-world settings across New York City and beyond.

The scholarship is available to new incoming Fall 2026 master’s degree-seeking students with an expressed interest in one of the following three areas:

• Civic Management

  Supporting students pursuing careers in government and nonprofit management. Impact Leaders focus on improving how mission driven organizations innovate, operate, and deliver sustainable results in service to their communities.

• Health Systems Operations

  Supporting students preparing to lead healthcare organizations and strengthen health policy. Impact Leaders focus on diverse health systems             management and operations, and improving social health access and outcomes.

• Urban Futures

  Supporting students shaping the future of cities. Impact Leaders work on innovative and sustainable solutions toward a range of related public interests, including - housing, transportation, infrastructure, economic development, and climate resilience.

As Dean Trottenberg notes: “NYU Wagner Impact Leaders study, work, and build their professional skills and networks at the center of one of the world’s most dynamic ecosystems across government, nonprofit organizations, healthcare, and urban planning. There has never been a more urgent need for public servants who can lead with vision, build trust, and drive change. Wagner prepares leaders who can meet this moment and are consistently sought after by top employers in their fields.”

Fall 2026 applications are open for admission and scholarship consideration - the next priority deadline is March 30th. 

NYU Wagner is a leading, top-ranked graduate school of public affairs.  While its impact has expanded far beyond New York City to communities worldwide, NYU Wagner remains driven by its mission to prepare public service leaders to translate ideas into actions that have an effective and lasting impact on the public good.  95 percent of Wagner graduates report employment within 10 months of graduation in the public, nonprofit and private sectors.  They join a dynamic global community of over 15,000 alumni members around the world. 

If you are interested in joining our efforts by investing in the next generation of Impact Leaders, please contact Dan Van Note at dan.van.note@nyu.edu.