The Ford Global Fellowship is a leadership fellowship from the Ford Foundation that supports emerging leaders working for social change and justice around the world. Launched in 2022, it brings together a cohort of fellows — around 24 per group — from many countries for an 18-month programme of support, learning, and networking. It is not a degree scholarship: rather than paying tuition, it provides financial support (an award in the region of USD 20,000, est.), access to the Ford Foundation's global network, and leadership development, so fellows can deepen their social-justice work. Fellows are chosen for their record of, and potential for, advancing human dignity and equality. The fellowship runs in cohorts rather than on a single fixed date, so applications open periodically. Treat the figures here as estimates and confirm the current cohort, benefits, and timing on the Ford Foundation's official website.
Watch for the Ford Foundation's cohort call, then apply through the official process when applications open.
Because it is a cohort-based leadership programme, eligibility and benefits are defined per cohort. It is not a route to fund university tuition.
Worldwide (emerging leaders from many countries)
The Ford Foundation selects fellows on their record of advancing social change and justice, their potential as leaders, and the fit with the cohort's themes and the Foundation's mission. Because it is cohort-based, the process and criteria are set for each round.
The Ford Foundation is a global philanthropic organisation that works to advance human dignity and reduce inequality. Its Ford Global Fellowship, launched in 2022, supports emerging social-change leaders worldwide with financial support, a global network, and leadership development over an 18-month programme.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
A leadership fellowship from the Ford Foundation supporting emerging leaders working for social change and justice around the world, in cohorts of around 24 over 18 months.
No — it is a leadership fellowship, not a degree scholarship; it does not pay tuition. It supports the fellow's social-justice work.
Financial support (in the region of USD 20,000, est.), access to the Ford Foundation's global network, and leadership development over 18 months.
Emerging leaders from many countries with a record of advancing social change, justice, human dignity, and equality.
Around 24 per cohort, drawn from different countries and movements.
Each cohort takes part in an 18-month programme.
No — there is no degree requirement; the fellowship supports leaders in their work, not academic study.
Applications open in cohorts rather than on a single fixed date, so watch the Ford Foundation's site for the next call.
Yes — the fellowship is global, bringing together leaders from many countries.
The Ford Global Fellowship was launched in 2022 by the Ford Foundation.
On their record and potential as social-change leaders and the fit with the cohort's themes and the Foundation's mission.
On the Ford Foundation's official Ford Global Fellowship pages, which describe the current cohort, benefits, and how to apply.