2026 Fellowship Application
We are seeking 15-20 changemakers from around the world for the 2026 Dalai Lama Fellows program. The application period is from October 1, 2025 to November 12, 2025.
Key Dates:
- October 1, 2025: Application opens
- November 12, 2025: Application deadline (applications and all accompanying materials must be submitted by 22:00 Coordinated Universal Time)
- February 2026: Fellows are selected and notified
- March 2026: Virtual onboarding of new Fellows
- April 2026: Formal fellowship year begins
- May 2026: 5-day Contemplative Leadership Assembly in TBD Location
- March 2027: Formal fellowship year concludes, Fellows enter LifeLong Fellows global leadership and learning community
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, 2026
- 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 Contemplative Leadership Assembly in May 2026 (DLF will cover all costs for travel, lodging, and meals for the Assembly)
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
