The Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity Programme 2026/2027 for Social-Change Leaders (Fully Funded at LSE, UK)

Deadline: January 16, 2026

Applications are now open for the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) Programme 2026/2027, hosted at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This fully funded fellowship supports emerging and mid-career leaders who are dedicated to tackling inequality and driving transformative social, political, and economic change.

The program offers two tracks — Residential (based at LSE for one year) and Non-Residential (20-month virtual format) — enabling flexibility for fellows to continue their work while engaging in advanced academic and leadership development. Fellows join a powerful global community of leaders committed to building fairer, more equitable societies.

Through an interdisciplinary learning experience at the International Inequalities Institute (III), participants explore the root causes of inequality, deepen their understanding of systems change, and develop innovative approaches to equity-focused leadership.

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Benefits

The Residential track of the AFSEE Programme is fully-funded. AFSEE covers full tuition fees for the MSc Inequalities and Social Science course, travel to and from London at the beginning and end of the active fellowship year, and any visa and immigration-related costs. All Residential Fellows will also receive a £23,000 stipend to cover living costs while in London.

SEE ALSO: UN Global Compact Young SDG Innovators Programme (YSIP) 2026 for Young Professionals

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Eligibility Criteria

Applicants to the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme must be able to demonstrate their ability to meet the following eligibility criteria.

Residential Fellows

1. Applicants must qualify for admission to the London School of Economics’ MSc in Inequalities and Social Science. These requirements include a 2:1 degree or equivalent in any discipline. A background in social science and/or work experience in the social policy field are advantageous but not essential. Please refer to the programme page for full details.
2. Applicants must meet LSE’s standard English Language Requirement.
3. Applicants must have at least 7 years of experience demonstrating courage, care, leadership and commitment in advancing equitable solutions to inequality.

Note: Applicants who have attained a PhD, who have completed an MSc within the past three years, or who are currently studying for a degree, will not normally be considered for the Residential track.

Non-Residential Fellows

1. Applicants must meet LSE’s standard English Language Requirement.
2. Applicants must have at least 7 years of experience demonstrating courage, care, leadership and commitment in advancing equitable solutions to inequality.

Note: For the Non-Residential track, we aim to be inclusive and to encourage applications from non-traditional applicants. We therefore welcome applications from both those applicants who hold an undergraduate degree (2:2 and above) and to those who do not hold an undergraduate degree. This track is also open to applicants who already hold postgraduate degrees. Applicants currently enrolled in a degree programme will not be considered unless their course of study ends before the Fellowship year begins in September. 

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Additional Details

LIFELONG FELLOWSHIP

After completing the active fellowship year, Fellows from both tracks become Senior Fellows and join a lifelong fellowship community made up of members of all seven Atlantic Fellows programmes worldwide, and receive ongoing support to learn, connect, and collaborate. 

Non-Residential Track

Non-Residential Fellows remain based in their home and professional environments, and travel to attend in-person Modules. Because of the reduced time and location commitment, this fellowship track is ideal for applicants who are unable to take a full year off from their work. However, they will be expected to commit time (around five hours per week) in addition to their module commitments, for reading, coursework, and project work.

PROJECT WORK

Non-Residential Fellows undertake a project that aims to offer a new insight, challenge, or solution to inequalities that are central to Fellows’ future social-change agendas. The purpose of the AFSEE Fellowship Project is for Fellows to reflect on the learning that they will undergo throughout the active fellowship year and apply this learning to their own work towards addressing inequalities and bringing about social change. 

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Deadline: Submit your application by 16th January 2026.

To Apply: Click here
Official Website: Click here