Applications are open for the Dalai Lama Fellows Program  2026 cohort, offering a transformative year-long experience for young leaders committed to advancing social change rooted in compassion and ethical leadership. The program seeks 15 to 20 emerging changemakers from around the world who are ready to deepen their leadership practice and create meaningful impact in their communities.

Key Dates

• Applications open: October 1, 2025

• Deadline: November 12, 2025 (22:00 UTC)

• Selection and notification: February 2026

• Virtual onboarding: March 2026

• Fellowship year begins: April 2026

• Contemplative Leadership Assembly: May 2026 (location to be announced)

• Fellowship concludes: March 2027, after which Fellows join the LifeLong Fellows global alumni network

About the Fellowship

The Dalai Lama Fellows (DLF) program integrates inner transformation with social innovation, empowering young leaders to bring compassion, mindfulness, and ethics into their work. Each selected Fellow engages in a year-long journey that combines leadership coaching, peer learning, contemplative practice, and project development.

Fellows work on a social change project that addresses a pressing community challenge while embodying principles of empathy, self-awareness, and interconnectedness. Through one-on-one mentorship, online learning modules, and immersive gatherings, participants gain tools to lead with integrity and resilience.

A highlight of the program is the Contemplative Leadership Assembly, a five-day in-person event where Fellows connect with peers and mentors in an environment designed for deep reflection, skill-building, and cross-cultural exchange. All travel, lodging, and meals for this event are fully funded by DLF.

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is November 12, 2025.