MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship 2027 – Fully Funded

MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship 2027: Fully Funded Leadership Programme

Key facts:

• Organisation: MCW Global
• Category: Scholarship
• Country / region: International (United States – in-person training)
• Deadline: 2026-12-03
• Official URL: https://www.mcwglobal.org/
• Open to nationalities: All nationalities worldwide

• Funding: Fully funded in-person training, including international or domestic economy-class flights, accommodation, meals, and specified transportation
• Field of study: Leadership, community development, education, health, and economic security
• Duration: Ten months (June 2027–July 2028)
• Host institution: MCW Global; residential activities in New York City, NY, and Burlington, Vermont, USA
• Language requirement: Fluency in written and spoken English

About the programme

The MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship 2027 is an international leadership development programme designed for young people who want to create positive change in their communities.

The ten-month fellowship runs from June 2027 to July 2028. It focuses on leadership development, community engagement, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Participants identify an important challenge in their communities and develop a project to address it. Projects must focus on one of three key areas:

• Education
• Health
• Economic security

The programme combines virtual learning, in-person training, project development, practical implementation, and mentorship from experienced alumni.

Programme structure

The fellowship has three main phases:

1. Virtual Community Needs Assessment: Participants identify and assess a significant challenge affecting their communities.
2. In-Person Vision Planning and Project Development: Fellows attend a 10-day residential training programme in the United States from July 20–29, 2027. Activities take place in New York City and Burlington, Vermont.
3. Virtual Project Implementation: Participants implement their community projects from July 2027 to July 2028, with ongoing alumni mentorship.

Participants must attend the full 10-day residential programme.

Who can apply?

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be between 18 and 26 years old on June 1, 2027.
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving and improving their communities.
• Identify a clear community challenge in education, health, or economic security that they want to address.
• Be fluent in written and spoken English.
• Have reliable internet access and an active email address.
• Be able to obtain the required passport, visa, and travel documents.
• Commit to attending the entire 10-day residential training.
• Be willing to implement a community project over the following ten months.
• Agree to fulfil the programme's graduation requirements.

The fellowship is open to eligible applicants from around the world.

What you get

The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support for the in-person training in the United States.

The funding covers:

• Flights: International economy-class flights for participants outside the United States and domestic economy-class flights for U.S.-based participants.
• Accommodation: Housing from July 19–29, 2027, through New York University in New York and Champlain College in Burlington.
• Meals: Three meals per day from July 20–29, 2027.
• Transportation: Round-trip travel between New York City and Burlington, Vermont, plus public transportation to and from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports.

Additional programme resources include:

• A free online leadership course.
• A community development toolkit.
• Alumni mentorship during project implementation.
• Leadership training and opportunities to collaborate with young changemakers from different backgrounds.

Refundable deposit

Selected participants must pay a US$100 refundable deposit by March 16, 2027.

The deposit is returned after successful completion of the in-person training.

How to apply

Interested applicants should submit their applications through the official MCW Global application process before December 3, 2026.

To prepare:

1. Review the fellowship eligibility requirements and programme expectations.
2. Prepare a one-page resume or CV highlighting your experience and community involvement.
3. Identify two suitable referees who can speak about your work ethic and leadership abilities.
4. Prepare thoughtful responses to the two essay questions about community challenges and personal leadership experiences.
5. Review and accept the programme's liability waiver.
6. Complete and submit the online application before the deadline.

Friends and family members are discouraged from serving as referees.

Applicants should ensure they can commit to the full residential training and the subsequent community project implementation period before applying.

Documents required

Applicants are required to prepare:

• One-page resume or CV: Highlighting relevant experience, leadership activities, and community involvement.
• Two recommendation letters: From individuals familiar with the applicant's work ethic and leadership abilities. Friends and family members are discouraged.
• Two essay responses: Addressing community challenges and personal leadership experiences.
• Accepted liability waiver: Applicants must review and accept the programme's liability waiver.

Important dates

• Application deadline: December 3, 2026, at 11:59 PM New York City Eastern Standard Time.
• Fellowship period: June 2027–July 2028.
• Refundable deposit deadline: March 16, 2027.
• In-person residential training: July 20–29, 2027.
• Accommodation period: July 19–29, 2027.
• Community project implementation: July 2027–July 2028.

Official application

Visit the MCW Global website for the official fellowship information and application instructions: https://www.mcwglobal.org/

Submit your application before the December 3, 2026 deadline.