Fellowship•USA · Austin

Eisenhower Fellowships Innovative Entrepreneurs Program

Funding

Fully Funded

Program dates

TBA

The Innovative Entrepreneurs Program is the fall thematic intake of Eisenhower Fellowships’ International Program, run by Eisenhower Fellowships (EF), a Philadelphia-based nonprofit founded in 1953. It selects ascendant international entrepreneurs who have built for-profit enterprises that generate measurable social impact and brings them to the United States for nearly six weeks of intensive, customised engagement. Fellows travel across several U.S. cities for high-level meetings in their field, develop a concrete project to implement after the program, and join EF’s lifetime global network. A defining feature of the fall cohort is a multi-day convening in Austin, Texas — a leading U.S. entrepreneurial hub — alongside American counterparts from EF’s USA Program.

Benefits & funding

  • Fully funded: Eisenhower Fellowships covers fellowship expenses, including travel, lodging, and program costs while on fellowship.
  • A customised itinerary of high-level meetings across multiple U.S. cities, built around each fellow’s venture and goals.
  • Several days convening in Austin, Texas with the EF USA Program cohort for workshops and meetings.
  • A self-designed project supported by EF staff and host contacts, intended to produce real-world results.
  • Lifetime membership in the global EF network of fellows worldwide.

Eligibility

  • Ascendant international entrepreneurs who have demonstrated success leading for-profit enterprises that generate positive social impact.
  • Priority is given to applicants aged 32–45 at the time of the program.
  • Citizenship and/or current residence for at least five years in one of EF’s eligible countries; candidates who do not meet this must obtain a formal nomination from a member of the EF global network.
  • Strong proficiency in English is required.
  • All fellows must be able to convene in person in Austin for several days in early October.
  • Candidates who have held any other fellowship within the previous two years are not considered.
  • Use of generative AI/ChatGPT in writing the application is prohibited.

Application process

  1. 1
    Review the eligibility and selection criteria and confirm you hold citizenship or five-year residence in an eligible country (or secure an EF-network nomination).
  2. 2
    Submit the online application through the EF SurveyMonkey Apply portal before the annual deadline.
  3. 3
    Shortlisted candidates take part in application review (March–May) and selection (June) ahead of the fall program.

Program timeline

  1. Application deadline for the 2026 fall cohort

    Feb 14, 2026

  2. Application review

    March–May 2026

  3. Selection of fellows

    June 2026

  4. Multi-day convening in Austin, Texas

    Early October 2026

  5. In-person program in the United States (nearly six weeks)

    October – mid-November 2026