The Dalai Lama Fellows is inviting applications from emerging changemakers around the world for its 2027 Fellowship Programme, a one-year leadership development opportunity designed for individuals working to create positive social change in their communities. The programme combines contemplative leadership, coaching, peer learning and practical project development to help participants strengthen the way they lead and contribute to meaningful change.

Selected Fellows will spend the fellowship year developing and implementing an original project that addresses a local challenge within their community. Throughout the programme, participants will receive support to develop skills and practices including self-awareness, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, communication, deep listening and systems thinking. Fellows will also explore contemplative practices aimed at strengthening their connection with themselves, other people and the wider ecosystems in which they work.

The 2027 programme will select approximately 15–20 emerging changemakers from around the world. Applicants should be between 20 and 36 years old as of April 1, 2027, and must be fluent in both written and spoken English. They should currently be engaged in a social change project or have a well-developed plan for launching one during the fellowship year. Preference is generally given to applicants who already have an ongoing project, although candidates with a strong project vision, relevant expertise, resources and established community connections may also be considered.

Applicants are expected to have substantial knowledge of the community and issue their project seeks to address, preferably including at least one year of experience working with that community. They should also demonstrate an interest in contemplative practices and be prepared to actively participate in the different components of the fellowship, including online learning, individual coaching and group learning sessions. Full participation is estimated to require approximately 12 hours per month, in addition to the time required to work on the individual project.

Fellows will also be required to attend the virtual Contemplative Leadership Assembly in May 2027. The formal fellowship year will begin in April 2027 and conclude in March 2028, after which Fellows will become part of the Dalai Lama Fellows global lifelong leadership and learning community.

The application process includes an applicant background and overview, short essay questions, a video submission, a resume or CV and a letter of recommendation.

Applications for the 2027 Dalai Lama Fellowship Programme opened on October 1, 2026, and must be submitted by November 11, 2026, at 22:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Finalists will be invited for interviews in January 2027, with successful Fellows expected to be announced in February 2027. Virtual onboarding will take place in March 2027, followed by the start of the formal fellowship year in April.

The fellowship is particularly suited to emerging leaders who are already deeply connected to a community and are working on practical solutions to social or environmental challenges, while also being open to developing a more reflective, compassionate and values-driven approach to leadership.

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