Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Deadline: February 14, 2025
The Eisenhower Fellowships (EF) Fall 2026 Innovative Entrepreneurs Program is a fully funded leadership exchange for outstanding international entrepreneurs driving innovation and systemic change in their countries. The programme brings together visionary leaders from the United States for an intensive, customised fellowship focused on leadership development, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration. Fellows participate in a dynamic mix of professional meetings, site visits, leadership seminars, and peer exchanges that strengthen their capacity to scale impact-driven ventures and influence policy and markets.
Benefits
Selected fellows receive a comprehensive package of benefits, including:
- Fully funded travel to the United States, covering international flights, accommodation, and local transportation.
- Tailored professional programmes, including meetings with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers.
- Leadership development training focused on strategic thinking, ethical leadership, and systems change.
- Access to the global Eisenhower Fellowships network, spanning over 100 countries.
- Long-term collaboration opportunities with U.S. and international partners after the fellowship.
- High-profile recognition, enhancing credibility and visibility for fellows’ ventures and initiatives.
SEE ALSO: UNESCO / People’s Republic of China (The Great Wall) Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme 2026/2027
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible candidates must have citizenship and/or current residence for at least five years in the country that they are applying to represent on the fellowship. If an applicant does not reside in or have citizenship in a country where EF is currently active, they must demonstrate that their work has a regional impact and obtain a letter of recommendation from a member of the EF global network in order to be considered. Please see the list below for countries where the EF Network is currently active.
- Selected International Fellows must be eligible for a J-1 visa.
- Priority is given to applicants within our target age range: 32-45 years at the time of the program. This is one of many criteria we consider. Candidates who are slightly above or below the target range will still be considered if they excel in the other criteria.
- Strong proficiency in the English language is required.
- Selected Fellows must obtain approval from their workplace to go on leave and make a full-time commitment for the duration of the in-person program at the time of acceptance. Breaks from the program are only permitted in the event of a dire emergency.
- We tentatively anticipate this program will take place over nearly six weeks, from early October 2026 through mid-November 2026. All Fellows must be able to convene in person in Austin for several days in early October.
- Children are not permitted on fellowship under any circumstances. EF does not currently fund spousal travel.
- We will not consider candidates who have held any fellowship within the past two years.
- Fellows may not use the fellowship to make business deals, solicit funds for their projects, or seek any financial support. EF already covers their expenses while on fellowship.
- Please note that use of generative AI/ChatGPT in the writing of the EF application is prohibited. All outside sources must be cited appropriately. An applicant suspected of using generative AI/ChatGPT will not advance to the next stage of consideration for the fellowship.
Application process and documents required
The application process typically includes:
- Online application submission via the EF application portal.
- Personal and professional essays outlining leadership journey, entrepreneurial impact, and fellowship goals.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or professional résumé.
- Two letters of recommendation from professional referees.
- Project or impact statement describing how the fellowship will advance the applicant’s work.
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interviews or additional assessments.
Deadline: Submit your application by 23rd January 2026.
