Dalai Lama Leadership Fellowship (2026 Cohort)

We are seeking 15-20 changemakers from around the world for the 2026 Dalai Lama Fellows program. For most of the fellowship, Fellows participate remotely. They work on their compassion-in-action projects while engaging with DLF’s online leadership curriculum and receiving virtual coaching and mentorship. At the beginning and end of the fellowship year, Fellows gather for a week-long Contemplative Leadership Assembly in the United States. More details on each component of the fellowship follow

Key dates:

• The 2027 cohort is open: https://leadersoftoday.com/opportunities/dalai-lama-fellows-2027

• Age requirements: 20-36 years old as of April 1, 2026
• 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 (NOTE: due to the difficulty of launching a social innovation project from scratch, we give preference to applicants who have ongoing projects, but each year we have selected Fellows who have a concrete vision for a project and plans to launch during the fellowship year, given they have the adequate expertise, resources, and community connections at the time of applying)
• 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. (We estimate full participation in the fellowship requires about 12 hours per month, not including Fellows’ work on their projects)
• Attendance at the Contemplative Leadership Assembly in May 2026 (DLF will cover all costs for travel, lodging, and meals for the Assembly