The MCW Young Leaders Fellowship Program 2026 in the USA is a fully funded leadership program for youth from around the world who want to create positive change in their communities. This one-year fellowship (June 2026 – July 2027) includes a 10-day in-person fully funded training in the USA (New York & Burlington, Vermont), and the rest of the program is completed online. The fellowship helps young leaders grow in leadership development, global citizenship, self-awareness, and vision planning to become stronger community changemakers.
MCW Global is offering one of the best learning and development opportunities for hardworking, enthusiastic, and passionate people. With the purpose of bringing local change through global exchange, the young leaders work together with their peers under the guidance of alumni mentors. The MCW Global fellowship is divided into three main phases: Community Needs Assessment (1 month – virtual), Project Development & Vision Planning (10-day in-person program), and Alumni mentorship & support (10 months).
The fully funded fellowship starts with the community needs assessment, in which participants identify the real needs of their communities. Relevant tools and training are provided to help participants assess their local challenges in a practical way. After the needs assessment, participants present their vision plan and then work toward implementing it through a realistic action plan.
This international fellowship is hosted by MCW Global. The organization is a non-profit institution, created with the vision of improving education, health, and economic security for communities worldwide. MCW provides economy flight support, housing, meals during the in-person program, and training support.Â
MCW Young Leaders Fellowship 2026 in USA:
Host Country:
- United States
Host Institute:
- MCW, New York.
Program Location in the USA:
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The 2026 Young Leaders Fellowship will be held from July 21 – 30, 2026 in New York, New York, and Burlington, Vermont. Participants will be housed at New York University in New York and Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont.
Program Mode:
- Both In-person and Virtually
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Benefits of the MCW Young Leaders Fellowship 2026:
- International Economy flights for international participants
Domestic Economy flights for United States participants
Housing from the evening of July 20 – July 30, 2026
Three meals per day from July 21 – July 30, 2026
Round-trip travel from New York, NY to Burlington, Vermont
Public transportation to/from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports
Eligibility Criteria of the MCW Young Leaders Fellowship 2026:
- Applicants must be between 18–26 years old.
- Must show a clear commitment to their community.
- Must identify a community issue in education, health, or economic security.
- Must be able to complete the 1-month Community Needs Assessment.
- Must be fluent in English (spoken and written).
- Must have regular access to email and internet for the entire program period.
- Must agree to follow all program guidelines and requirements.
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How to Apply for the MCW Young Leaders Fellowship 2026:
- Create an account on the designated application portal.
- Complete the general information required in the application form.
- Upload all necessary supporting documents.
- Answer the essay questions in English.
- Fill in all required fields carefully.
- Ensure the entire application, including letters of recommendation and resume, is in English. Non-English content will not be considered.
- Submit the completed application by the deadline.
The application includes:
- General information.
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Two essay questions:
- Identify an issue in your community and describe how you would address it.
- Describe a challenge you faced and how you used leadership skills to resolve it.
- A resume (no more than 1 page, Times New Roman, 12 font, 1-inch margins).
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your work ethic and community involvement.
- A liability waiver to review before submission.
MCW Young Leaders Fellowship Deadline 2026:
- The application deadline is December 3, 2025.
