Apply for the 2026 MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship

Applications are now open for the 2026 Young Leaders Fellowship from MCW Global, a year-long leadership programme designed to empower young changemakers around the world. This opportunity is especially important for Nigerian youth who are looking to turn their passion for community development into actionable projects.

About the Fellowship

The MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship cultivates youth leadership through a structured three-phase experience. The programme begins with a virtual Community Needs Assessment, continues with a ten-day in-person training in the United States, and culminates in a ten-month project implementation and mentorship phase.

During the in-person segment, selected participants collaborate with global peers, attend workshops on vision planning and leadership development, and engage with mentors and alumni. They then return to their communities to apply their learning directly—designing and executing community-based initiatives in fields like education, health, and economic security.

For young Nigerians and Africans, this fellowship presents a major opportunity to:

• Gain international exposure and training in leadership, project design, and global citizenship.
• Develop a sustainable community project, backed by mentorship and a global network.
• Meet peers from around the world and build cross-cultural collaboration skills—essential in today’s interconnected environment.
• Strengthen their profile for future work in civil society, development, social entrepreneurship or public policy.

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Key Details & Benefits

• Target Group: Young people aged 18 to 26 years as of June 2026.
• Application Deadline: 3 December 2025 (11:59 PM NYC time).
• Benefits include:
• • Fully-funded attendance at the in-person training (travel, accommodation and meals covered)
  • Access to a global network of emerging leaders and mentors.
  • Personal development in leadership, project planning, global citizenship and community change.
  • Implementation of a real-world project over ten months, supported by mentors and alumni.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be between 18 and 26 years old by June 1, 2026.
• Demonstrate strong commitment to community change—especially in the themes of education, health or economic security.
• Be fluent in English (spoken & written) as the programme is conducted in English.
• Be able to participate fully in all phases of the programme (virtual + in-person).
• Have access to a reliable email and Internet for communication during the year.
• Be eligible to obtain the necessary visa/travel documentation for the in-person component.

Application Process

Applicants will need to complete an online application form in English and submit:

• A personal statement outlining motivation for applying.
• A one-page CV demonstrating leadership, community work or involvement in causes.
• Two letters of recommendation from mentors or supervisors who know the applicant’s work and potential.
• Essay responses focused on the community challenge they intend to address and their vision for change.

Timeline of Key Stages

• Applications open: November 5, 2025.
• Deadline: December 3, 2025.
• In-person training: July 21-30, 2026, in New York (NYU) & Vermont (Champlain College).
• Project implementation & mentorship phase: August 2026 to July 2027.

This fellowship stands as a unique platform for young Nigerians who are ready to transition from ideas to action, develop leadership skills and engage with global change-makers. If you’re passionate about community impact and want to build your leadership in a global context, this may be your moment.

APPLY FOR THE MCW GLOBAL YOUNG LEADERS FELLOWSHIP