Deadline: 12-Nov-2025
The Dalai Lama Fellows Program is seeking applications for 15-20 changemakers from around the world.
The Dalai Lama Fellowship uniquely focuses not only on measurable impact or project scale but also on the personal transformation of its participants. The program values the integration of inner growth and ethical leadership with outward social innovation, emphasizing intention, commitment, and mindfulness as essential aspects of effective change-making.
Focus areas include health and well-being, education, environmental sustainability, cultural understanding, and human rights. Applicants must possess in-depth knowledge of the community and the issue they are addressing, with at least one year of prior experience preferred. A genuine interest in learning and engaging in contemplative practices throughout the year is essential.
Fellows must commit to full participation in all program components, including online learning, one-on-one coaching, and group learning sessions, which together require around 12 hours per month, excluding project work. Attendance at the Contemplative Leadership Assembly in May 2026 is mandatory, with all travel, lodging, and meal expenses covered by the Dalai Lama Fellows (DLF).
To be eligible, applicants must be between 20 and 36 years old as of April 1, 2026, and fluent in written and spoken English. Candidates must demonstrate current engagement with or have well-articulated plans for a social change project, ensuring sustained involvement throughout the fellowship year. Preference is given to those who already have ongoing initiatives, although individuals with concrete visions and sufficient expertise, resources, and community connections are also encouraged to apply.
Selected Fellows are those who show a sincere intention to increase self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience, expand their ability to connect compassionately across differences, and deepen their capacity to navigate complex social systems through their innovation work.
The application process consists of five main components: an applicant background and overview, short essay questions, a video submission, a resume or CV, and a letter of recommendation. When evaluating candidates, the fellowship seeks alignment between applicants’ personal development goals and the program’s offerings.
The deadline for applications is 12 November 2025.
For more information, visit Dalai Lama Fellows.