The Acumen Fellows Program in Spain is an annual leadership program for people already leading or playing an integral role in initiatives that address poverty and social injustice. Acumen Academy runs the fellowship in Spanish for a cohort of about 20 people.
Participants remain in their jobs while completing virtual sessions, self-paced work, and immersive in-person meetings over six months. The program develops moral leadership, adaptive leadership, authentic storytelling, and the ability to work across competing values.
Benefits & funding
- Open Value Foundation covers program content, accommodation, and meals connected with the in-person meetings.
- Participants normally pay their own transport to the meeting venue; those unable to do so may contact the Spain team about their circumstances.
- The curriculum includes a three-day orientation, two five-day full-time in-person meetings, and four learning labs with mandatory group calls and independent work.
- Graduates join Acumen’s Foundry community and may access coaching, peer support, visibility, and separately selected funding opportunities; no stipend, job, or automatic investment is promised.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old; there is no stated maximum age.
- Applicants must have more than five years of experience addressing social issues.
- No specific academic qualification is required, and the program states no nationality restriction.
- Applicants are normally expected to reside in Spain. The local team may consider exceptions for people with a concrete connection to Spain, such as long-term employment or a Spain-focused social-impact project.
- Applicants must currently lead or play an integral role in an active organization or initiative addressing poverty or social impact, normally as full-time work; exceptional part-time applicants may be considered when they demonstrate substantial commitment.
- Participants must be proficient in Spanish and able to attend every virtual and in-person component.
- Previous Acumen Fellows and graduates of the listed Acumen Academy leadership accelerators are not eligible for this fellowship.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Experience required
≥ 6 yrs
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Complete the online application covering the applicant’s work, impact, and readiness for the program; the latest published cycle closed on 22 November 2024.
- 2Shortlisted applicants attend an in-person selection ceremony in Madrid; the latest published ceremony was held on 8 February 2025.
- 3Finalists provide two professional references and may later submit an updated CV, video responses, a photograph, a biography, and a short introduction video.
- 4Selected participants receive the exact schedule and logistics and must complete all virtual and in-person sessions.
Program timeline
Application deadline for the latest published cycle
22 November 2024
In-person selection ceremony in Madrid
8 February 2025
Selected participants began the fellowship journey
February 2025
Orientation for the latest published cycle
13–16 March 2025
First in-person meeting
28 May–1 June 2025
Second in-person meeting
9–13 July 2025
Next cycle
Applications are closed and no exact reopening date is published