Dalai Lama Fellowship supports changemakers through a year-long leadership program focused on contemplative practice and social innovation. Dalai Lama Fellowship applicants work on or plan social change projects and engage in a curriculum, coaching, and a global community during the fellowship year.
The program is run by Dalai Lama Fellows and invites 15-20 Fellows worldwide for the 2027 cohort. The fellowship includes online curriculum, monthly coaching, group learning calls, virtual assemblies, and ongoing engagement with a global LifeLong Fellows community.
Dalai Lama Fellowship Benefits
- Immersion in our distinctive yearlong Head, Heart, Hands online leadership curriculum covering Connections to Self, Others, and Ecosystems
- One-on-one personalized coaching and small-group learning calls to support their personal development, resilience, and social innovation leadership
- Direct guidance from program coaches in identifying and pursuing external funding opportunities for their social change projects
- Access to regular contemplative practice sessions and global peer learning exchanges throughout the fellowship year
- Coverage of travel, lodging, and meal expenses for any required in-person Contemplative Leadership Assemblies
- Lifelong affiliation in our LifeLong Fellows global learning community and support network upon program completion
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Dalai Lama Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Age requirements: 20-36 years old as of April 1, 2027
- 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 (preference for ongoing projects)
- 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.
- Attendance at the virtual Contemplative Leadership Assembly in May 2027
How to Apply for Dalai Lama Fellowship
- Applicant background and overview
- Short essay questions
- Video submission
- Resume/CV
- Letter of recommendation
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Dalai Lama Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, selection, participation requirements, deadlines, and how to apply.
What is the application deadline for the 2027 fellowship?
The application deadline for the 2027 Dalai Lama Fellows program is November 11, 2026. All applications and accompanying materials must be submitted by 22:00 Coordinated Universal Time on that date. The application opens October 1, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
Applicants must be between 20 and 36 years old as of April 1, 2027, fluent in written and spoken English, and currently engaged with or have well-articulated plans for a social change project. Preference is given to those with at least one year of experience working with the community their project addresses.
Do I have to be a student to apply?
No. You do not have to be a student to apply. The fellowship accepts individuals regardless of educational status — applicants can be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies, or not at all. The program seeks committed young people working on social innovation.
What does the fellowship curriculum include?
The year-long curriculum is hosted on an online learning platform and follows a Head, Heart, Hands approach. It builds competencies in Connections to Self, Connections to Others, and Connections to Ecosystems through readings, reflections, monthly coaching, and group learning calls.
Will the fellowship provide funding for projects?
No. The Dalai Lama Fellows program does not offer funding for projects. The most meaningful elements provided are the curriculum, coaching, and global community. Fellows are encouraged to seek other sources of project funding and may receive guidance from their program coach.
How much time do Fellows need to commit each month?
Fellows are expected to set aside approximately 12 hours per month to engage with program activities, not including work on their social innovation projects. This includes individual readings, reflections, monthly coaching calls, monthly full-group learning calls, and quarterly small group learning calls.
Do I have to have an ongoing project to be selected?
Preference is given to applicants with ongoing projects, but applicants without a current project may apply if they have a concrete vision and well-articulated plans to launch during the fellowship year. Applicants without ongoing projects are expected to launch their project within the first six months.
Are in-person events required?
Fellows are required to attend the virtual Contemplative Leadership Assembly in May 2027. The program notes they are pursuing funding for an in-person assembly in 2028, but the 2027 assembly is virtual and attendance is mandatory.
Can I apply if my project is delivered fully online?
Yes. The program welcomes projects that are delivered virtually. The fellowship has found that meaningful connections and social innovation work can occur in a fully virtual format and accepts virtual projects accordingly.
How do you select Fellows?
Selection focuses on alignment between applicants’ social innovation development goals and the program offerings. Evaluators look for commitment to contemplative practices, capacity for self-awareness and compassionate connection, strong knowledge of the community served, and a well-researched justification for the chosen issue.
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