Fellowship•USA · Washington, D.C. · Hybrid

McCain Global Leaders Program

Funding

Fully Funded

Program dates

Jun 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027

The McCain Global Leaders Program is a 12-month fellowship run by the McCain Institute at Arizona State University, based in Washington, D.C. It supports up to 25 character-driven, mid-career leaders from around the world who work to advance democracy, human rights, and freedom — in the spirit of Senator John McCain’s legacy of ‘serving a cause greater than oneself.’ Fellows are organized into four regional groupings and combine an online leadership curriculum with three in-person experiences on different continents, building practical skills and access to global and regional networks.

Benefits & funding

  • The direct costs of participation — economy-class travel, hotels, and visas — are fully covered by the McCain Institute; there is no cost of participation other than the time commitment.
  • A stipend to cover incidental expenses incurred throughout the program.
  • An integrated leadership-development curriculum inspired by Senator McCain’s legacy, plus expert-led practical-skills trainings.
  • Three in-person experiences totalling roughly 25 days: a Leadership Experience (Athens, Greece, Fall 2026, ~7 days), a regional Changemaker Tour (Winter 2026/2027, ~5 days), and a Legacy Experience (Vietnam, Spring 2027, ~7 days).
  • Peer-mentoring, group problem-solving, and access to highly relevant regional and global networks.

Eligibility

  • Open to individuals from all countries and professional backgrounds.
  • A minimum of five years of professional experience; aimed at mid- to senior-career professionals in active leadership roles.
  • No formal age requirement (participants are typically between 25 and 45).
  • Fluent in English — able to read and understand complex texts, give oral presentations, and take part in in-depth discussions.
  • A strong track record of serving a cause greater than oneself, with experience working directly on defending democracy within one’s region.

Application process

  1. 1
    Review the eligibility and program details on the McCain Institute website.
  2. 2
    Prepare application materials that demonstrate a leadership record and commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom.
  3. 3
    Submit the application through the McCain Institute’s InfoReady portal before the annual deadline (the recent cycle closed 15 March).
  4. 4
    Applications are assessed competitively; selected leaders are notified and join the incoming cohort.

Program timeline

  1. 2026 cohort applications open

    Jan 26, 2026

  2. 2026 cohort application deadline (11:59 PM EST)

    Mar 15, 2026

  3. Program begins with the online McCain Leadership Curriculum

    2026-06

  4. Leadership Experience — Athens, Greece (~7 days)

    Fall 2026

  5. Changemaker Tour — regional (~5 days)

    Winter 2026/2027

  6. Legacy Experience — Vietnam (~7 days)

    Spring 2027

  7. Program concludes

    2027-05