Applications are open for the 2027 Voqal Partners Fellowship, a six-month opportunity for social justice changemakers in the United States who have bold early-stage ideas and want the space, funding and support to turn those ideas into something tangible.

The fellowship is designed for people who see a problem within their communities and have a different vision for how it could be addressed. Applicants do not need to have a finished organisation, campaign or product. Instead, Voqal Partners is interested in dream-stage and idea-stage projects with a compelling vision, a sense of direction and a willingness to experiment, learn and build.

Selected fellows will receive $30,000 in unrestricted funding, coaching and mentorship, healthcare support, travel to three in-person convenings and the opportunity to work alongside a small cohort of peers.

About the Voqal Partners Fellowship

The Voqal Partners Fellowship is a six-month programme supporting social justice changemakers as they develop and test new ideas.

Each year, Voqal Partners selects a small cohort of fellows and provides funding, coaching and a community of peers to help participants move from an early concept toward real-world experimentation.

The fellowship is particularly suited to people who are still developing their approach and want the freedom to explore what is possible rather than simply implementing an already-established project.

Projects can be local or national in scope, provided they focus on communities in the United States.

Coaching and Mentorship

Participants gain access to coaches, advisors and mentors who can provide guidance on operational, strategic and structural questions related to their work.

Peer Community

The programme brings together a cohort of eight fellows each year. Participants learn from one another throughout the fellowship and can remain connected through the wider Voqal Partners alumni network.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship is intended for builders, organisers, community leaders and people with bold ideas for creating a more equitable future.

Voqal Partners particularly values applicants who are connected to the communities they serve and understand the challenges they are working to address through lived experience and community involvement.

The organisation encourages applications from people and communities that have historically been excluded from philanthropy, including:

• LGBTQIA+ individuals
• Women
• Indigenous peoples
• People of colour
• People with disabilities
• Other historically underrepresented communities

What Kind of Ideas Does Voqal Partners Support?

Applicants do not need to present a fully developed organisation, product or campaign.

The fellowship looks for projects that demonstrate:

A Dream-Stage or Idea-Stage Concept

Applicants should have a bold vision for the future, even if they are still working out how to achieve it.

A Compelling Vision

Ideas should seek meaningful change and explore approaches that can challenge existing systems rather than simply making current systems easier to navigate.

A Path Forward

Applicants should have an initial understanding of where they want to begin and what they hope to learn, test or build during the fellowship.

Strong Fellowship Alignment

The applicant should be able to make meaningful use of the funding, coaching and peer community offered through the programme.

Connection to Community

The work should be grounded in the experiences of people most affected by the issue, with the applicant demonstrating an understanding of their role within that community.

Fellowship Commitments

The fellowship runs from April through September 2027.

Fellows are expected to:

• Work on their project throughout the fellowship period.
• Attend three in-person convenings in April, July and September.
• Participate in monthly cohort calls.
• Engage with coaches and advisors.
• Share lessons and reflections at the end of the programme.

Participants may continue other professional work during the fellowship, but the fellowship project is expected to remain a priority.

Application Process

The application consists of four main sections:

• Eligibility: Questions confirming that applicants meet the core requirements.
• Basic Details: Information about the applicant and their project.
• The Specifics: Questions about the future they want to create, their proposed approach and the support they need.
• Additional Details: Information about AI use, experience with coaches and any additional materials or links.

Applicants will also submit a budget explaining how they intend to use the $30,000 award. The budget is intended to help Voqal Partners understand the applicant's planning and is not used to evaluate the application.

Information Sessions

Voqal Partners is offering virtual information sessions for prospective applicants.

A previous session held on September 18, 2026, was recorded and includes a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

A second live information session is scheduled for:

October 14, 2026
4:00 PM Eastern / 1:00 PM Pacific

Prospective applicants can use the session to learn more about the fellowship and ask questions before submitting an application.

Fellowship Timeline

• Applications open: September 2026
• Application deadline: October 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern
• Interviews: January 2027
• Fellows selected: February–March 2027
• Opening convening: April 2027
• Fellowship programme: April–September 2027
• Middle convening: July 2027
• Closing convening: September 2027

Applications for the 2027 Voqal Partners Fellowship close on October 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

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