Deadline: December 3, 2025
Applications are open for the MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship 2026. The Fellowship Program aims to mobilize young people with the skills and resources needed to create and implement vision plans in the areas of education, health, and economic security.
MCW Global’s Young Leaders Fellowship begins with the Community Needs Assessment – A one-month community needs mapping that prepares young people, between the ages of 18-26, from around the world to understand their local communities better. After the community needs assessment, Young Leaders participate in a 10-day intensive in-person training program that helps them become leaders of positive change in their communities. After the in-person training program, participants return to their communities to spend ten months developing their action plans with virtual support from alumni mentors.
The 2026 Young Leaders Fellowship will take place in New York, New York, and Burlington, Vermont, from July 21 – 30, 2026. Accommodations will be provided by New York University in New York and Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont.
Costs
Costs Covered by MCW
- International Economy Flights for international participants
- Domestic Economy flights for United States participants
- Housing from the evening of July 20 – July 30, 2026
- Three meals per day from July 21 – July 30, 2026
- Round Trip Travel from New York, New York to Burlington, Vermont
- Public Transportation to/from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Airports
Cost Not Covered by MCW
- Passport Fees
- Visa Fees
- In-Country Costs (travel to the airport, extra baggage fees, etc.)
Eligibility
Young Leaders Must:
- Demonstrate commitment to their community
- Identify an issue in their community in the areas of education, health, or economic security
- Demonstrate a strong motivation to create positive change and an interest in social projects, while expressing your most authentic and original thoughts. Original ideas and genuine reflections will be valued more than AI-generated responses.
- Be between the ages of 18 – 26 at the start of the program (June 1, 2026)
- Be fluent in written and spoken English
- Commit to doing the Community Needs Assessment in June, attending the 10-day in-person program in July, and spending the following year aiming to execute their community project
- Have access to email and the internet to allow for consistent communication with the MCW Global Team and Young Leaders Fellowship alumni-mentor for the duration of the year-long program
- Adhere to Young Leaders Fellowship graduation guidelines (to be provided upon acceptance to the program)
- Be eligible for appropriate visa and travel documentation
Application
Submit a completed application on or before Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 11:59 PM (NYC EST time)
For more information, visit MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship.
