INDIANAPOLIS – Orr Fellowship, an early career development program for versatile high-achievers and future-focused businesses in Indiana, announced today it is now accepting applications for its 2026 cohort of Orr Fellows in both Indianapolis and Evansville. Applications open on July 29, 2025, and are due by Sept. 26, 2025.

Founded in 2001, Orr Fellowship recruits, assesses and matches university graduates with high-agency roles in growing Indiana businesses in Central Indiana and Southwest Indiana. Together, Orr Fellowship and its partner companies give graduates the professional development resources and support network they need to accelerate their careers.

By providing immersive professional experiences, mentorship and leadership opportunities, Orr Fellowship strengthens Indiana’s workforce pipeline, empowering early-career talent to grow and thrive here—now and into the future. Orr Fellowship boasts a network of nearly 700 alumni who have graduated from universities across the U.S.

“In addition to setting Fellows up for a successful post-graduate career, the program creates an invaluable sense of community,” said Steven Emch, President of Orr Fellowship. “Long after their Fellowship ends, Orr alumni continue to actively participate in their communities as volunteers, board members and civic leaders. What’s more, 60% of all Orr alumni remain in Indiana after completing the program, helping to retain top talent across the state and make Indiana a thriving community where talented individuals want to work and live.”

Orr Fellowship has grown exponentially over the past year. In partnership with the Evansville Regional Business Committee (ERBC), Orr Fellowship expanded to the Southwest Indiana region last year, adding more than a dozen Evansville-based companies to Orr’s program.

Between the recent graduates in the Orr alumni class of 2023 and the newly onboarded class of 2025, employment for Orr Fellows has spanned across more than 70 partner companies statewide.

Qualified candidates for the upcoming cohort must be anticipating graduation in August 2025, December 2025 or May 2026 and have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher; a strong interest in leadership or business; demonstrated leadership and/or impactful work, life and volunteer experiences; and authorization to work in the United States. Orr is a two-year commitment, with many Orr Fellows remaining with their partner company as they progress in their careers.

Orr Fellows are hired full-time for a variety of job functions at innovative organizations, ranging from marketing to engineering to consulting, sales and more. These roles span across industries, from small start-ups to enterprise-level global organizations, and play a key role in the businesses in which they work.

“Our partnership with Orr Fellowship is part of our business plan to reach long-term company goals. Gen Z is going to make up [the majority of] the workforce in no time, and Orr Fellows are the best and brightest of this generation,” said Wes Steele, CEO of Steele Benefits. “The Fellows’ success contributes to a culture where everyone can succeed because they show what attitude to take and how to approach their work in a way everyone can emulate.”

In addition to full-time employment with a partner company, Orr Fellows participate in a unique curriculum designed to challenge and propel them toward a career of excellence, focusing on accelerated leadership, continued learning, and professional development. This includes a series of business leader speakers, non-profit consulting projects, career coaching, personal finance workshops and pitch competitions.

Through a partnership with Kelley School of Business Indianapolis, Orr Fellowship alumni have an expedited pathway into the Kelley Evening MBA program, which includes a scholarship for Orr Fellows in the amount of $2,000 and the acceptance of six credit hours towards the Evening MBA degree.

In addition, Fellows benefit from being part of a community of peers who are also experiencing their first professional post-graduate roles with access to an engaged network of alumni. Orr Fellows maintain key areas of influence within the Orr Fellowship organization, including Fellow, alumni and community engagement; marketing; diversity, equity and inclusion; recruitment; continued learning; and serving as chief of staff.

Orr Fellowship is also accepting partner company applications for both the Central Indiana and Evansville Region chapters. A list of current partner businesses can be found here. Apply to become an Orr Fellowship partner company, here.

College seniors who are anticipating graduation in the coming months or spring 2026 and are interested in pursuing Orr Fellowship can apply here.

About Orr Fellowship

Founded in 2001, Orr Fellowship is an early career development program for versatile high-achievers and future-focused businesses in Indiana. The organization recruits, assesses and matches university graduates with high-agency roles in growing Indiana businesses. Together, Orr Fellowship and partner companies give graduates the professional development resources and support network they need to accelerate their careers in business and positively impact Indiana. Learn more about Orr Fellowship here.