Apply for the 2026 Bush Fellowship for Changemakers

Do you want a fellowship that prioritises your leadership growth rather than just your project? The Bush Fellowship, offered by the Bush Foundation, is built around personal leadership development. It supports individuals who have already demonstrated impact and gives them the time, resources, and support to deepen their effectiveness, think bigger, and catalyse meaningful change.

What Is the Bush Fellowship?

The Bush Fellowship is a flexible, self-designed leadership programme. Fellows are expected to identify their own areas for personal growth, craft a plan, and use the Fellowship’s time and resources to execute it. Unlike many other funding opportunities, this programme is not designed to fund external projects or organisations. Instead, it empowers leaders to invest in themselves so that they can expand their capacity and make greater contributions to their communities.

Some key facts include:

• Up to 30 Fellows are selected each year.
• Each Fellow receives up to US$150,000 over two years to carry out their personal leadership plan.
• The programme is open to leaders from any sector — nonprofit, business, or government — as long as they have demonstrated real impact and a strong desire to grow.

What the Fellowship Funds — and What It Doesn’t

The Bush Fellowship provides flexible funding to support leadership development in personally meaningful ways. Examples of eligible uses include:

• Education and learning with other leaders.
• Travel to observe, learn, and collaborate with peers or global experts.
• Formal study, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, if this supports leadership goals.
• Time allocation, allowing Fellows to step back from other responsibilities and dedicate more time to reflection and growth.

What the Fellowship does not cover:

• Funding a programme or project is the main purpose.
• Business or commercial ventures.
• Repayment of personal debts.

Who Should Apply

This fellowship is ideal for individuals who:

• Have already demonstrated meaningful leadership or impact in their communities.
• Possess clarity about how they want to grow as leaders, including specific goals or learning areas.
• Ready to design a personal plan for development, reflection, and networking.
• Come from any background — public sector, nonprofit, or business — but share a commitment to leadership and community impact.

ALSO APPLY FOR:
Commonwealth Foundation Grants 2026 for Civil Society Organisations

Key Dates for the 2026 Fellowship

The application process includes submitting a detailed leadership plan, references, background information, and, for finalists, an interview with review panels and alumni.

Why Nigerian and African Leaders Should Apply

The Bush Fellowship is unique because it focuses on you as a leader rather than the projects you manage. Many African leaders often face challenges balancing vision with time, resources, and personal capacity. This fellowship provides an opportunity to step back, invest in growth, and return to your communities as stronger changemakers.

• The funding size — US$150,000 — allows for substantial investment in education, travel, and professional development without immediate pressure to deliver outputs.
• Even the application process itself can be transformative, helping you reflect deeply on your leadership journey and future vision.
• Selected Fellows join a global network of alumni, gaining access to mentorship, collaboration, and peer support that can sustain long-term impact.

If you are a Nigerian or African leader eager to make a difference but feel you need structured support, time, and resources to grow, the Bush Fellowship could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. It is not about funding a big project — it is about investing in your growth as a leader so that you can become an even more effective changemaker.

APPLY FOR THE BUSH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM