- Ages 18 to 26Eligible age range
- 1 year programmeTotal duration
- 10-day USA trainingIn-person component
- ~US$5,000+ value (est.)Costs covered per fellow
- Round-trip economy flightsTravel funded
- All nationalitiesWho can apply
At a glance
full
Funding
€9k
Max amount
Nov 10, 2026
Deadline
All nationalities
Country
MCW Global
Provider
The MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship is a year-long leadership programme that helps young people aged 18 to 26 turn community ideas into action under the philosophy of 'Local Change Through Global Exchange'. Run by the non-profit MCW Global, the fellowship combines 3 stages: a 1-month virtual community needs assessment, a 10-day in-person training held across 2 USA locations (New York, NY and Burlington, VT), and roughly 10 months of project implementation supported by alumni mentors. During the in-person stage, fellows are hosted at university accommodation and take part in interactive workshops on vision planning and project development. MCW Global covers the major costs, including round-trip international and domestic economy flights, accommodation and meals, public transport to and from the New York airports (JFK, LaGuardia and Newark), and travel between New York and Burlington - a package worth several thousand US dollars per fellow. Participants remain responsible for their own passport and visa fees and any in-country travel costs. Applicants must show a demonstrated commitment to education, health or economic security and be fluent in English. Because dates and the exact cost coverage are confirmed fresh each cycle, check the current-cycle details on the official MCW Global website before you apply.
What's covered
- International and domestic flights — Round-trip economy airfare to and from the programme locations is covered for all selected fellows.
- Accommodation and meals — All accommodation and meals are provided during the programme, with in-person fellows hosted at partner university housing in New York and Burlington.
- Airport and local transport — Public transportation to and from the major New York airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) and travel between the New York and Burlington program sites are included.
- Training and mentorship — Virtual and in-person leadership training, vision planning, and around 10 months of personalised alumni mentorship to implement a community project.
- Overall package value — Taken together, the funded flights, housing, meals and transport represent a package worth roughly US$5,000 or more per fellow (est.); confirm the current figure officially.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the official MCW Global website during the open application window; shortlisted candidates are interviewed before final selection.
- Prepare your documents — Assemble a one-page resume (Times New Roman, 12-point, 1-inch margins), 2 letters of recommendation from people familiar with your community work, and your essay responses.
- Draft strong essays — Answer the essay questions clearly, describing your proposed community project and how you will use your leadership skills to address challenges.
- Submit the online application — Complete the online application form on the official MCW Global website before the deadline (historically around 10 November, 11:59 PM EST).
- Attend the interview — If shortlisted, take part in an interview with MCW alumni during the scheduled interview window.
- Confirm visa and deposit — Once selected, confirm your visa status and complete any required deposit by the stated confirmation deadline.
Eligibility
AgeAged 18 to 26 at the start of the programme cycle.
Community commitmentA demonstrated commitment to their community, focused on education, health or economic security.
LanguageFluency in written and spoken English.
Technology accessReliable access to email and the internet to take part in the virtual components.
AvailabilityAble to attend the virtual community needs assessment and the 10-day in-person training in the USA, and to complete the year-long project.
Travel documentsAble to obtain the necessary passport and US visa (visa and passport fees are the applicant's responsibility).
Fellows are responsible for their own passport and visa fees and any in-country travel costs; all other major programme costs are covered by MCW Global.
Eligible countries
All nationalities
Deadlines
2027 cohort~10 November 2026 (est.)
Selection
Selection is competitive and staged. Applications are first screened against the eligibility and essay requirements, shortlisted candidates are notified and then interviewed by MCW alumni, and final fellows are chosen on the strength of their community commitment, the quality of their proposed project and their leadership potential.
Verified sources
- MCW Global - official websitemcwglobal.orgofficial
- MCW Global - Young Leaders Programmcwglobal.orgofficial
About the provider
MCW Global (Miracle Corners of the World) is a non-profit organisation founded in 1999 that empowers young people to address their communities' pressing needs through leadership training, mentorship and project funding, guided by its philosophy of 'Local Change Through Global Exchange'.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Who can apply for the MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship?
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Young people of all nationalities aged 18 to 26 with a demonstrated commitment to their community in education, health or economic security, who are fluent in English and have reliable internet access.
How long is the fellowship?
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It runs for about 1 year, combining a 1-month virtual community needs assessment, a 10-day in-person USA training and roughly 10 months of project implementation with mentorship.
Where does the in-person training take place?
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Across 2 USA locations - New York, NY and Burlington, VT - with fellows hosted at partner university accommodation.
What costs are covered?
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Round-trip economy flights, accommodation, meals, airport transport and travel between the program sites - a package worth roughly US$5,000 or more per fellow (est.).
What costs are not covered?
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Fellows pay for their own passport and visa fees and any in-country travel costs; confirm the latest split on the official site.
Is there an age limit?
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Yes. Applicants must be aged 18 to 26 at the start of the programme cycle.
What documents do I need?
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A one-page resume, 2 letters of recommendation, and essay responses describing your proposed community project, plus a valid passport for US travel.
How are resumes expected to be formatted?
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As a one-page document in Times New Roman, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins.
When is the application deadline?
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Historically around 10 November at 11:59 PM EST; confirm the exact 2026 date on the official MCW Global website.
Is there an interview?
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Yes. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by MCW alumni before final fellows are selected.
What subjects can I study?
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The fellowship is open to participants from all academic backgrounds; it is a leadership and community-development programme rather than a degree scholarship.
Where can I confirm the latest details?
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On the official MCW Global Young Leaders Program page, which publishes current dates, eligibility and the cost coverage each cycle.