Applications are open for the 2027 Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program at Yale University, a four-month, full-time residential leadership programme for accomplished professionals from around the world who are working to create positive change in their communities, countries and beyond.

Hosted by the International Leadership Center at Yale's Jackson School of Global Affairs, the programme brings together a diverse group of leaders for an intensive period of intellectual exchange, professional development, networking and collaboration.

The 2027 cohort will spend the programme in residence at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, from mid-August through mid-December.

About the Yale World Fellows Program

Established in 2002, the Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program is Yale's flagship international leadership programme.

Each year, the programme brings together a cohort of exceptional leaders from different countries, professional backgrounds and areas of expertise. Fellows spend four months learning from one another, engaging with Yale's academic community and developing their leadership capacity.

The programme's global alumni network now includes more than 450 World Fellows working across more than 100 countries.

World Fellows come from a wide range of fields, including public service, business, journalism, civil society, social entrepreneurship, law, technology, international affairs and other areas where they have demonstrated meaningful impact.

What the Programme Offers

The World Fellows Program provides a combination of academic engagement, professional development and leadership opportunities.

Weekly Seminars

Fellows participate in weekly seminars designed to encourage open discussion and exchange of ideas.

The Good Society seminar gives Fellows an opportunity to discuss their professional work, their vision for positive change and the contribution they hope to make to society.

Through the Salon, Fellows engage with distinguished guests and explore important global issues while challenging their own perspectives.

Personal and Professional Development

Fellows receive individual and group coaching as well as skills-development training.

They can also audit many of Yale's more than 2,000 courses, undertake independent research and collaborate with other Fellows on projects.

Engagement Across Yale

World Fellows contribute directly to Yale's intellectual community by giving talks and participating in panels with students, faculty and other members of the University.

They have opportunities to share their professional knowledge and experiences while contributing perspectives from their countries and areas of expertise.

Mentoring Yale Students

Fellows can mentor Yale students who serve as their liaisons during the programme.

These student liaisons help Fellows become immersed in life at Yale while also supporting events and activities involving the wider university community.

Global Networking

The programme provides Fellows with opportunities to build lasting relationships with members of their cohort, previous World Fellows, Yale faculty, students and other professionals connected to the University.

The resulting network extends beyond the four-month residential programme and connects Fellows working across different sectors and regions.

Selection Criteria

The programme looks for individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement and integrity and who have the potential to make a meaningful contribution in their communities or internationally.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate:

• A strong record of achievement and impact.
• A commitment to building a better society.
• Leadership potential and ambition to expand their impact.
• Creative, critical, entrepreneurial and strategic thinking.
• The ability to contribute a valuable international perspective to Yale's community.
• A willingness to participate in an intensive, full-time residential programme.
• An interest in mentoring students and engaging regularly with the Yale community.

Application Requirements

Applications are submitted entirely online.

Applicants are required to provide:

• A résumé or curriculum vitae of no more than three pages.
• A personal statement of no more than 600 words.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A brief video statement recorded through the application platform.
• A US$20 application fee.

Applicants can work on their application before submitting it and can upload materials and request recommendation letters through the online application system.

Letters of recommendation should normally be submitted by the application deadline, although the programme states that late letters may be accepted for a limited period after the deadline.

Important Information About the Video

The video statement must be recorded directly within the application platform.

Applicants cannot submit a video hosted on another platform. The application system currently supports video recording through Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox on a computer.

Applicants who experience an issue with their first recording are given one additional opportunity to re-record it.

Programme Commitment

The World Fellows Program is a full-time residential commitment.

Fellows are expected to participate in seminars, skills-development sessions, Yale classes and presentations, as well as dinners, networking activities, meetings with students and other programme events.

The programme may also include occasional travel and overnight activities. Fellows are expected to remain in residence at Yale throughout the programme.

Programme Dates

The 2027 World Fellows Program will run from mid-August through mid-December 2027.

Applicants selected for the programme will be expected to live in New Haven for the full duration.

Applications for the 2027 World Fellows Program close on Wednesday, 2 December 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.

Final decisions are expected to be communicated by email by the end of April.

Programme: Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program
Host: Yale University – Jackson School of Global Affairs
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Duration: Four months
Format: Full-time residential
Programme period: Mid-August to mid-December 2027
Application fee: US$20

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is 2 December 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Time.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached to apply for this opportunity.