The Western Union Global Fellowship is a fully funded, virtual fellowship run by the Western Union Foundation in partnership with the Watson Institute for emerging leaders and social entrepreneurs driving change in underserved communities. The 2026 cohort runs for roughly 4 months, from around 25 August to 16 December 2026, with live sessions held Tuesday to Thursday and a weekly commitment of about 8-10 hours, rising to 10-15 hours during the first two weeks. There are no program fees: the fellowship covers live virtual workshops, one-on-one mentorship, a 'Basecamp' community-impact project supported by a development stipend, professional pitch-video production, and a place in an international cohort that spans more than 15 countries. It is built for refugee, displaced, marginalised or underserved changemakers who run nonprofit or for-profit ventures and can commit fully to the schedule. Selection involves a roughly 30-minute online application and a 20-minute video interview, with final decisions around 25 July 2026 and the program ending with a virtual summit and pitch day. Dates, stipend amounts and priority countries change each cycle, so confirm the current details on the official Watson Institute page before you apply.
Applications are submitted online through the Watson Institute, followed by a short video interview before final selection.
Sessions run on Mountain Time (GMT-6), so applicants should be able to attend or accommodate that schedule. The priority-country list can change each cycle.
Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Uganda, Mexico, Bangladesh, Philippines, Costa Rica, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Lithuania, United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, Open to other countries (priority list above especially encouraged)
Candidates are assessed on the impact and potential of their social venture, their connection to underserved communities, leadership track record and ability to commit fully to the program. The process is a roughly 30-minute online application followed by a 20-minute Zoom interview, with final decisions communicated around 25 July 2026.
The Western Union Foundation supports economic opportunity and community development worldwide, and partners with the Watson Institute, which runs accelerator and fellowship programs for social entrepreneurs. Together they deliver this fully funded virtual fellowship for changemakers building impact-driven ventures in underserved communities.
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.
Emerging leaders and social entrepreneurs leading nonprofit or for-profit social-impact ventures, especially those from or working with refugee, displaced, marginalised or underserved communities.
Yes. There are no program fees. It also includes a community development stipend (~USD 500 est.) to run a Basecamp impact event.
It is a fully virtual program, with live sessions held Tuesday to Thursday on Mountain Time (GMT-6).
Around 4 months, from approximately 25 August to 16 December 2026, ending with a virtual summit and pitch day.
About 8-10 hours per week, rising to 10-15 hours per week during the first two intensive weeks.
Applicants from or working in countries such as Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Uganda, Mexico, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Lithuania, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan are especially encouraged.
You should be leading a social-impact venture, or be ready to grow and scale one, and have or plan a community placement (Basecamp) for it.
The Basecamp is a community impact event you plan and lead during the fellowship, supported by a development stipend.
Complete the online application (about 30 minutes), attend a 20-minute Zoom interview, and wait for the final selection notification.
The priority application deadline is around 1 July 2026, with final selections announced around 25 July 2026.
Live virtual workshops, one-on-one mentorship, a community development stipend, professional pitch-video production, and access to a global cohort and network.
Check the official Watson Institute fellowship page for the current cohort dates, stipend amount, priority countries and deadlines before applying.