Applications are now open for the 2026 Eisenhower Fellowships Innovative Entrepreneurs Program, which seeks to engage high-performing and forward-thinking international entrepreneurs between the ages of 32 and 45. The programme is designed for leaders who have already shown measurable success in running for-profit ventures that create meaningful social impact. Selected Fellows will take part in an immersive experience in the United States lasting close to six weeks, scheduled for October and November 2026.

A distinctive element of the Fall 2026 cohort is the close integration of international participants with American Fellows selected through the 2026 USA Program. Both groups will come together in Austin, Texas, a major centre for entrepreneurship and innovation, for an intensive period that includes residential sessions, workshops, and structured meetings. This shared phase is intended to encourage collaboration and cross-cultural exchange at the highest professional level.

During their time together, Fellows will engage in one-on-one exchanges, collaborate in small working groups, and participate in joint sessions with innovators from related sectors who offer diverse perspectives on comparable challenges. Following the Austin convening, international Fellows will continue with customised travel itineraries across the United States, meeting leading figures in their industries and advancing the individual projects that form the core of their fellowship experience.

Applicants must hold citizenship in, or have lived for a minimum of five years in, the country they wish to represent through the fellowship. Candidates who neither reside in nor hold citizenship in a country where the Eisenhower Fellowships network is currently active may still be considered if they can demonstrate regional influence through their work and secure a letter of recommendation from a member of the global EF network. All selected international participants must also meet the requirements for a J-1 visa to take part in the programme.

While preference is given to candidates who fall within the 32 to 45 age range at the time of the programme, this is only one of several factors considered during selection. Applicants who are slightly younger or older may still be reviewed if they demonstrate exceptional merit in other areas. A high level of English proficiency is essential, as the programme is conducted entirely in English.

Those selected must receive formal approval from their employer or organisation to take leave and must be able to commit full time to the in-person programme for its entire duration. Participation is expected to be continuous, with interruptions permitted only in the case of serious emergencies. The programme is expected to run from early October through mid-November 2026, and all Fellows must be available to attend the in-person convening in Austin in early October.

Participation does not allow for accompanying children, and the programme does not currently provide funding for spouses or partners to travel. Individuals who have taken part in another fellowship within the two years preceding their application will not be considered. Fellows are also not permitted to use the programme as a platform to negotiate business deals, raise funds, or seek financial backing for their ventures, as programme-related costs are already covered.

Applicants should be aware that the use of generative artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT, in the preparation of application materials is strictly prohibited. Any external sources referenced must be properly acknowledged, and candidates suspected of using generative AI during the application process will not progress to the next stage of selection.

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