Fellowship•USA · New York · Hybrid

MCW Young Leaders Fellowship

Funding

Fully Funded

Program dates

Jun 8, 2026

The MCW Young Leaders Fellowship is a year-long leadership-development program run by MCW Global (Miracle Corners of the World), a New York–based nonprofit. It mobilizes young people aged 18–26 from around the world to design and carry out community projects in education, health, and economic security. The year combines a virtual community-needs assessment, a 10-day in-person vision-planning and training intensive in New York City and Burlington, Vermont, and roughly ten months of virtual project implementation supported by alumni mentors.

Benefits & funding

  • Fully funded in-person component: round-trip international (or domestic US) economy flights, housing, and three meals daily during the 10-day training.
  • Round-trip travel between New York City and Burlington, Vermont, plus ground transport to and from the NYC airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark).
  • Leadership, self-awareness, and project-development training, with diverse speakers, workshops, and facilitated group work.
  • Pairing with an alumni mentor and quarterly virtual hangouts through the implementation year.
  • Refundable USD 100 deposit, returned on completion of the in-person training.
  • Participant covers: passport, US visa fees, in-country transport to the airport, extra baggage, and any medical costs during the program.

Eligibility

  • Aged 18–26 at program start.
  • Open to applicants from anywhere in the world; applicants must be able to obtain a US visa and travel documents.
  • Fluent written and spoken English; all application materials must be submitted in English.
  • No specific degree required; selection looks for demonstrated commitment to one’s community and a clear community issue to address.
  • Able to commit fully to all three phases and to maintain reliable email and internet access for the year.

Application process

  1. 1
    Submit the first-round application: a general information form, two essay responses, a one-page CV, and two letters of recommendation (from people who know the applicant’s community work, not family or friends).
  2. 2
    Shortlisted applicants are invited to a second-round application, followed by interviews with program alumni.
  3. 3
    Accepted fellows confirm their place, complete the visa step, and pay the refundable USD 100 deposit.

Program timeline

  1. Applications open (2026 cohort)

    Nov 5, 2025

  2. First-round application deadline

    Dec 3, 2025

  3. First-round decisions; second-round applications open

    Dec 22, 2025

  4. Second-round application deadline

    Jan 11, 2026

  5. Interviews with alumni

    Feb 3, 2026 to Feb 12, 2026

  6. Acceptances sent

    Feb 19, 2026

  7. Virtual community-needs assessment begins

    Jun 8, 2026

  8. In-person training (New York City and Burlington, Vermont)

    Jul 21, 2026 to Jul 30, 2026

  9. Virtual project implementation and alumni mentorship

    2026-07 to 2027-07