Dalai Lama Fellows Programme 2027

The Dalai Lama Fellows programme selects a small cohort of changemakers from around the world each year. Fellows run a social change project while following a year-long curriculum on a contemplative approach to leadership, with online learning, coaching calls and group sessions.

Who can apply

Candidates must be between 20 and 36 years old and fluent in written and spoken English. They need a current social change project, or a well-articulated plan to launch one, and in-depth knowledge of the community they work with. You do not need to be a student, and you do not need to be interested in Buddhism. The page sets no restriction by nationality, so applicants from African countries can apply like everyone else.

What the fellowship involves

The programme runs online. Fellows follow a learning platform, join monthly coaching calls and group learning calls, and keep a daily contemplative practice. Plan on about 12 hours a month in addition to your own project work. The formal fellowship year starts in April 2027. The programme does not fund projects, so you should look for other sources of project funding.

Deadline

Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close on 11 November 2026 at 22:00 UTC. The application has five parts, including short essays, a video and a letter of recommendation, so start early. Finalists are invited to interviews in January 2027.