Dalai Lama Fellowship Program 2026
The Dalai Lama Fellows Program is a highly selective, international leadership fellowship designed for young changemakers who are leading or launching social innovation and social change projects around the world. Each year, the program selects a small cohort of Fellows committed to compassionate leadership, personal growth, and community-driven impact.
The fellowship focuses on developing leaders who combine inner transformation with real-world action, supporting projects in areas such as education, health, sustainability, human rights, and community development.
Degree Level
Fellowship Overview
- Program Name: Dalai Lama Fellows Program
- Host Organization: Dalai Lama Fellows
- Fellowship Type: Leadership & social innovation fellowship
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Hybrid (virtual learning + in-person assembly)
- Number of Fellows: Approximately 15–20 annually
- Location: Global
The fellowship concludes with lifelong membership in the LifeLong Fellows Global Leadership Community.
Degree Level Requirement
- No specific degree required
- Open to individuals with or without university enrollment
- Applicants may be undergraduate students, graduate students, or professionals
Available Subjects
Focus Areas & Social Innovation Projects
Fellows work on projects addressing issues such as:
- Health and well-being
- Education and youth development
- Environmental sustainability
- Gender equity and inclusion
- Cultural understanding and peacebuilding
- Human rights and social justice
Projects may be community-based, national, or global, and can be conducted in person or fully online.
Benefits
While the Dalai Lama Fellows Program does not provide direct project funding, it offers significant non-financial benefits:
- Year-long leadership development curriculum
- Training in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience
- One-on-one professional coaching
- Access to a global network of social innovators
- Fully funded participation in the Contemplative Leadership Assembly
- Travel, accommodation, and meals covered
- Lifelong access to the Dalai Lama Fellows community
The program emphasizes personal transformation as a foundation for sustainable social impact.
Eligible Nationalities
- Open to applicants from all countries
- Non-US citizens are fully eligible
Eligibility Criteria
Age & Language Requirements
- Age: 20–36 years old (as of April 1 of the fellowship year)
- Language: Fluency in spoken and written English is required
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Active involvement in, or a well-developed plan for, a social change project
- Strong knowledge of the community and issue their project addresses
- At least one year of experience working with the community (preferred)
- Commitment to contemplative and reflective practices
- Willingness to dedicate approximately 12 hours per month
- Availability to attend the in-person Contemplative Leadership Assembly
- Openness to coaching, group learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration
Note: Preference is given to applicants with ongoing projects, though candidates with strong, realistic plans to launch a project may also be selected.
Application Procedure
Application Components
The Dalai Lama Fellows application includes:
- Applicant background and profile
- Short essay responses
- Video submission
- Resume or CV
- One letter of recommendation
All materials must be submitted online by the stated deadline.
Selection Process
- Initial application review
- Shortlisting of finalists
- Interviews with selected candidates
- Final selection based on:
- Alignment with fellowship values
- Depth of community engagement
- Leadership potential
- Openness to learning and reflection
Why Choose the Dalai Lama Fellows Program?
- Designed for emerging global leaders
- Focuses on inner development and outer impact
- Welcomes applicants regardless of academic or professional background
- Supports long-term leadership growth, not just short-term results
- Builds a lifelong international network of changemakers
