We are seeking 15-20 changemakers from around the world for the 2027 Dalai Lama Fellows program. The application period is from October 1, 2026 to November 11, 2026.
Key Dates
- October 1, 2026: Application opens
- November 11, 2026: Application deadline (applications and all accompanying materials must be submitted by 22:00 Coordinated Universal Time)
- January 2027: Finalists are invited for interviews (invitations sent throughout the month)
- February 2027: Fellows are selected and notified
- March 2027: Virtual onboarding of new Fellows
- April 2027: Formal fellowship year begins
- May 2027: Opening Contemplative Leadership Assembly (via Zoom)
- March 2028: Formal fellowship year concludes, Fellows enter LifeLong Fellows global leadership and learning community
- June 2028: Closing Contemplative Leadership Assembly (we are currently pursuing funding for an in-person Contemplative Leadership Assembly in 2028)
Eligibility Requirements
In order to fulfill the minimum requirements, through the application a candidate must demonstrate:
- Age requirements: 20-36 years old as of April 1, 2027
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Current engagement with or well-articulated plans for a social change project and sustained engagement with the project throughout the fellowship year (NOTE: due to the difficulty of launching a social innovation project from scratch, we give preference to applicants who have ongoing projects, but each year we have selected Fellows who have a concrete vision for a project and plans to launch during the fellowship year, given they have the adequate expertise, resources, and community connections at the time of applying)
- In-depth knowledge of the community and the issue that the project is seeking to address, preferably with at least one year of previous experience working with the community
- Interest in learning and engaging in contemplative practices throughout the year
- Commitment to participating in all dimensions of the program, including online learning platform, 1-on-1 coaching calls, group learning calls, etc. (We estimate full participation in the fellowship requires about 12 hours per month, not including Fellows’ work on their projects)
- Attendance at the virtual Contemplative Leadership Assembly in May 2027
Application Summary
The application for Dalai Lama Fellows consists of five main parts:
- Applicant background and overview
- Short essay questions
- Video submission
- Resume/CV
- Letter of recommendation
