HBCU Innovation Internship Celebrates Spring 2026 Graduates, Selects Fall 2026 Cohort to Strengthen Alabama’s Tech Talent Pipeline
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 16, 2026) — The FuelAL HBCU Innovation Internship Program celebrated the graduation of 20 student interns across two ceremonies held in Birmingham and Huntsville, followed by interview days for the Fall 2026 cohort—the program’s sixth since its launch in Spring 2024—marking continued momentum in strengthening Alabama’s tech talent pipeline and expanding opportunities for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Graduation ceremonies took place at Innovation Depot in Birmingham and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, bringing together students, employer partners and program leaders to recognize the accomplishments of the Spring 2026 cohort.
The program, a collaborative initiative supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Caring Foundation and Innovate Alabama, connects students from Alabama’s HBCUs and partner institutions with hands-on internship experiences in the state’s growing innovation economy.
The Spring 2026 cohort included 20 students representing Tuskegee University, Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Talladega College and Lawson State Community College. Interns were placed with 12 employers across Alabama’s innovation ecosystem, including startups, accelerators, innovation hubs and ecosystem-building organizations such as Alabama Collective; Analytical AI; Birmingham-Jefferson County Port Authority; Bronze Valley Investment Accelerator (powered by gener8tor); gBETA Huntsville (powered by gener8tor); HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology; Innovation Portal; Montgomery Tech Lab; Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator; Tech Birmingham; TrebleOne; and Zeus Research & Technology.
“This program embodies the kind of purposeful collaboration needed to cultivate a diverse and competitive pipeline of talent for Alabama,” said Miller Girvin, president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. “By providing students with opportunities to develop essential skills and gain access to emerging companies, we are equipping them to thrive in high-growth industries and ensuring Alabama’s workforce remains innovative and prepared for the future.”
Following the graduation ceremonies, the program hosted interview days in both Birmingham and Huntsville to identify participants for the Fall 2026 cohort. Seventeen students were selected and will represent institutions including Talladega College, Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University, Tuskegee University, Lawson State Community College and Stillman College.
The upcoming cohort will be placed with a diverse group of employer partners spanning industries such as technology, bioscience and advanced research. Participating organizations include Acclinate; Alabama Collective; Analytical AI; Caravan AI; E-Center; EDPA; HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology; Montgomery Tech Lab; Multiply; Tech Birmingham; Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator; TrebleOne; and Zeus Research & Technology.
Since its launch, the HBCU Innovation Internship Program has focused on creating meaningful pathways for students to launch careers in Alabama while supporting companies with access to emerging talent.
By combining professional experience, mentorship and exposure to high-growth industries, the program continues to play a key role in advancing talent retention and workforce development across the state.
About Fuel Alabama
Fuel Alabama (FuelAL) is a statewide talent attraction and retention initiative led by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) in partnership with Innovate Alabama. Through summer community programming, school-year leadership cohorts, HBCU innovation internships and statewide industry summits, FuelAL connects college students and early-career professionals with Alabama’s communities, industries and professional networks. By fostering meaningful relationships and immersive experiences, FuelAL strengthens Alabama’s workforce and advances long-term economic growth.