Deadline: 05-Jul-2026
The Enlight Fellowship is a fully funded 16-week global programme supporting youth entrepreneurs and leaders working on mental wellbeing solutions. It offers leadership training, mentorship, financial skills development, and an in-person summit to help fellows scale impactful initiatives. Open worldwide, the fellowship targets ventures operating for 1–5 years with proven impact.
The programme combines entrepreneurship training, cross-cultural collaboration, and real-world application to strengthen youth-led mental health innovations.
Overview of the Enlight Fellowship
The Enlight Fellowship is a structured leadership and entrepreneurship programme designed to empower emerging leaders tackling youth mental wellbeing challenges.
It supports:
- Development of scalable mental wellbeing solutions
- Leadership and entrepreneurial growth
- Cross-cultural collaboration and global networking
- Financial sustainability of ventures
- Community-driven innovation
The fellowship is supported by Enlight Foundation and powered by Watson Institute.
Programme Structure and Duration
- Duration: 16 weeks
- Format:
- Virtual training sessions
- Mentorship and coaching
- In-person immersive experience (mandatory)
- Fully funded: Covers core programme participation costs
The programme blends online learning with hands-on application and global engagement.
Key Components of the Fellowship
1. Leadership and Entrepreneurship Training
Fellows participate in expert-led workshops covering:
- Business development
- Venture scaling strategies
- Financial literacy and sustainability
- Leadership and decision-making
2. Mentorship and Coaching
Participants receive:
- Guidance from experienced facilitators and industry experts
- Personalized life coaching
- Strategic advice to refine and grow their ventures
3. Global Collaboration and Networking
- Connect with a diverse, international cohort
- Build long-term professional relationships
- Exchange ideas across cultures and regions
4. Financial Capacity Building
- Access to financial tools and resources
- Training on managing and sustaining ventures
- Support in strengthening organisational financial health
5. Basecamp Community Initiative
A practical component where fellows:
- Design and lead a one-day workshop in their community
- Support early-stage entrepreneurs
- Apply fellowship learning in real-world settings
6. Pitch Training and Global Summit
- Intensive pitch preparation sessions
- Opportunity to present ventures to mentors, partners, and investors
- In-person summit for networking and exposure
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be youth entrepreneurs or community leaders
- Work on mental wellbeing or related challenges
- Have a venture operating for 1–5 years
- Demonstrate measurable impact or results
- Commit fully to the 16-week programme
- Be able to attend:
- Regular virtual sessions
- Mandatory in-person immersive experience
The fellowship is open globally with no geographic restrictions.
What Fellows Gain (Benefits)
- Fully funded participation in a global leadership programme
- Advanced entrepreneurial and business skills
- One-on-one mentorship and coaching
- International exposure and networking opportunities
- Pitching experience and investor visibility
- Tools to scale and sustain mental wellbeing ventures
- Hands-on leadership experience through Basecamp
Why This Fellowship Matters
The Enlight Fellowship addresses critical gaps in youth mental health by:
- Supporting innovative, youth-led solutions
- Strengthening leadership in the mental wellbeing sector
- Promoting global collaboration and knowledge exchange
- Enabling sustainable and scalable social impact
- Building a strong ecosystem of changemakers
It empowers leaders to create meaningful, long-term improvements in mental health systems and communities.
How to Apply / How It Works
- Prepare details of your venture (impact, operations, growth stage)
- Demonstrate measurable outcomes and community impact
- Highlight your leadership experience and motivation
- Submit application through the Enlight Fellowship platform
- Participate in selection process (may include interviews)
- If selected, join the 16-week programme
- Complete all components including Basecamp and summit
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with an idea-stage project (venture must be active)
- Lack of measurable impact or clear outcomes
- Weak commitment to full programme participation
- Not aligning work with mental wellbeing focus
- Poorly defined scaling or sustainability strategy
- Ignoring the importance of the Basecamp component
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the Enlight Fellowship fully funded?
Yes, it covers core programme costs including training, mentorship, and the in-person experience.
2. Who can apply?
Youth entrepreneurs and leaders aged 18+ working on mental wellbeing initiatives worldwide.
3. Do I need an existing organisation?
Yes, your venture should be active and operating for 1–5 years.
4. What is the duration of the programme?
The fellowship runs for 16 weeks.
5. Is travel required?
Yes, there is a mandatory in-person immersive experience.
6. What is Basecamp?
A one-day workshop led by fellows to support local early-stage entrepreneurs.
7. What kind of support do fellows receive?
Training, mentorship, coaching, financial tools, and global networking opportunities.
Conclusion
The Enlight Fellowship is a high-impact, fully funded programme designed to equip emerging leaders with the skills, networks, and resources needed to scale youth mental wellbeing solutions globally. Through a combination of training, mentorship, and real-world application, it empowers fellows to drive sustainable change and strengthen mental health ecosystems worldwide.
For more information, visit Watson Institute.