MCW Global (Miracle Corners of the World) runs a Young Leaders Fellowship, a year-long leadership program for young people (18–26) around the world. The fellowship is designed to support community-driven social change, especially in three thematic areas: education, health and economic security.

Spanning one year, the program combines virtual learning, intensive in-person training, and practical project implementation. It begins with a month-long virtual phase where participants assess the needs of their communities, identifying challenges and opportunities for positive change. This is followed by a 10-day immersive training in the United States, hosted across New York and Burlington, Vermont, where fellows engage in leadership workshops, cultural exchange, and mentorship. The final phase extends for ten months, during which participants develop and implement their own community-driven projects, guided by experienced mentors and supported by a global network of alumni.

Application Details

Deadline : December 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM (NYC / EST)

Application Components:

The application includes several key components:

General Information – Basic personal and contact details.

Essay Questions – Applicants are asked to reflect deeply on their communities and personal experiences:

• Community Issue: Identify a real problem in your community and illustrate it with a short story or example. Share the first step you would like to take to address this issue. Specificity and authenticity are highly valued; generic answers or AI-generated content should be avoided.

• Leadership Experience: Describe a situation where you faced a challenge and used a leadership skill to resolve it, even if it was not in a formal leadership role. Explain what happened, what you did, and what you learned about yourself or others from this experience.

Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Your CV should be no longer than one page and provide a clear overview of your education, experience, and achievements.

Letters of Recommendation – Two letters are required from individuals who can speak to your work ethic and commitment to your community. Friends and family members are discouraged from writing letters. Each recommender should include their name, position, contact information, and relationship to the applicant at the top of the letter.

Liability Waiver – At the end of the application, applicants must review and agree to the program’s terms and conditions.

The Fellowship selects individuals who are authentic, reflective, and capable of turning ideas into action. Through these requirements, MCW Global emphasizes the importance of real-world experiences, community engagement, and personal leadership growth, creating a platform where young leaders can showcase their potential and begin making tangible social impact.

Eligibility Criteria

• 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 
• Submit a completed application on or before Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 11:59 PM (NYC EST time)

Selection Timeline:

• November 5, 2025: Young Leaders Fellowship Application Opens
• December 3, 2025: Young Leaders Fellowship Application Closes
• December 22, 2025: First-round Decisions Sent Out; Shortlisted Candidates Notified; Second-Round Application Opens
• January 11, 2026: Second Round Application Closes
• February 3 – 12, 2026: Interviews with Alumni
• February 19, 2026: Acceptances Sent Out
• February 26, 2026: Confirmation of Acceptance
• March 5, 2026: Confirmation of U.S. Visa Interview Date and Deposit by Mentees
• June 8 – July 3, 2026: Community Needs Assessment
• July 21 – July 30, 2026: In-Person Training Program – Young Leaders Fellowship
• July 2026 – July 2027: The Entire Young Leaders Fellowship Duration

The fellowship is fully funded, covering international travel, accommodation, and meals during the in-person training. Participants are only responsible for their passport, visa, and personal expenses. A refundable deposit of $100 confirms their commitment to completing the program.

Participants emerge not only with enhanced leadership skills but also with a network of peers and professionals dedicated to social impact. With its comprehensive approach and hands-on experience, the MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship provides young leaders with a platform to turn vision into action, bridging local challenges with global solutions.

For more information, visit: https://mcwglobal.org/young-leaders-fellowship-2026/