Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Everything Alabama HBCU students need to know about this top internship + how to apply
Reading time: 4 minutes
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This spring, an internship led by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) welcomed 20 students from five HBCUs into a 12-week, paid internship experience designed to strengthen Alabama’s innovation and technology workforce.
Read on to learn more about the FuelAL HBCU Innovation Internship Program, how it’s impacting students’ career paths and how you can apply for the Fall 2026 co-hort.
Alabama HBCUs + valuable hands-on experience
Startups, accelerators and incubators are becoming important to the future of Alabama’s workforce. As the business landscape grows and evolves, those spaces are where students and young professionals are cutting their teeth and leveling up their experience.
Across the state, these Alabama HBCU students are shaping what’s next for Alabama’s economy.
Students in the Spring 2026 cohort represent:
- Alabama A&M University
- Alabama State University
- Lawson State Community College
- Talladega College
- Tuskegee University
They’re placed with 12 employers across Alabama’s innovation ecosystem, including startups, accelerators, innovation hubs and ecosystem-building organizations like:
- Alabama Collective
- Gener8tor
- HudsonAlpha
- Innovation Portal
- TrebleOne
- Birmingham Port
- gBETA Huntsville (powered by gener8tor)
- Techstars
- Zeus Research & Technology
- Tech Birmingham
- MTL Tech Lab
The program combines hands-on, project-based internships with professional development sessions focused on leadership, communication and technical skills—giving students real-world experience they can apply immediately.
“These students represent the talent, creativity and innovation coming out of HBCU institutions across Alabama, and we’re proud to have them join us this spring.”
Jasmine Williams, Manager of Talent Attraction & Retention, EDPA + Fuel AL
From Birmingham roots to Alabama’s innovation ecosystem
One of those students is Jeremiah Perry, a student at Lawson State Community College majoring in Computer Science.
Born and raised in Birmingham and a graduate of Birmingham City Schools, Perry is a full-time technical safety instructor, full-time student, husband, father and now a FuelAL HBCU Innovation Intern placed with EDPA.
In his role, Perry supports EDPA through company research, investor strategy development, database management and day-to-day operational support. This means getting firsthand exposure to how Alabama’s innovation ecosystem functions behind the scenes.
But for him, the impact goes deeper than technical experience.
“It’s never too late to learn something new, to take advantage of opportunities. Although I already have a career, interning here has truly helped me aspire to new heights.
My hope is that my story inspires someone who thinks that it’s too late or has obstacles that may be too heavy to move—I want them to know that they can do absolutely anything and reach any goal they set for themselves. Never count yourself out.”
Jeremiah Perry, Intern, EDPA
As a father, he says one of the most powerful moments was simply seeing the cohort itself.
“Seeing so many bright, ambitious and intelligent young people gave me a renewed hope for the future of our world for my son and future generations to thrive in.”
Jeremiah Perry, Intern, EDPA
A pipeline for talent + a future for Alabama
FuelAL’s HBCU Innovation Internship is designed to do more than place students in internships: It builds a long-term talent pipeline for Alabama.
By connecting students to meaningful experiences within the state’s innovation economy, the program supports both workforce development and long-term talent retention, helping young professionals see real opportunities to build their futures in Alabama.
“This program strengthens our workforce, enriches our culture and helps us build the next generation of innovative, entrepreneurial leaders who will power our state’s future.”
Jason Watters, Manager of Workforce Development, Southern Company
Apply for Fall 2026
The Spring cohort is already underway, but applications for the Fall 2026 FuelAL HBCU Innovation Internship are now open:
- Apply now
- Deadline: March 13, 2026
For more information on FuelAL and the FuelAL HBCU Innovation Internship Program, email edpa.org/talent.
If you’re an HBCU student in Alabama looking to gain real-world experience, grow your skills + step into the state’s innovation economy, this is your opportunity to get involved in a program that’s launching careers and shaping Alabama’s future.
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