World Energy Council Future Energy Leaders Programme

The Future Energy Leaders (FEL) Programme is the World Energy Council’s global community of young energy professionals, drawn from more than 65 countries. The Council is an international energy body that works through national Member Committees, and it runs the programme centrally in English. Selected participants join Council projects, expert working groups and high-level events, and they contribute their views to Council insight reports and tools.

The 2026 cohort brought in 59 new members, chosen from more than 361 applications spanning 73 countries and nominated by 18 Member Committees, with women making up more than half of those accepted. Applications for the 2026 cohort are closed and the Council states that the next call will open in 2027.

Benefits & funding

A place in the global FEL community, with peers working in renewables, engineering, technology, oil and gas, government, NGOs, utilities and finance.
Work on global Future Energy Leaders projects and real-life challenges, with exposure to energy-transition leadership tools.
One dedicated Secretary General-sponsored project each year.
Learning through observation and engagement in the Council’s expert working groups.
Participation in high-level events, including the World Energy Congress and World Energy Week.
The programme pays no salary or stipend, and the Council publishes no application or participation fee. The official pages and the programme FAQ do not state whether travel or accommodation costs are covered, so candidates should confirm this with the Council before committing.

Eligibility

Not more than 35 years old at the time of application.
3–5 years of junior management experience in an energy-related field.
A solid interest and proven track record in energy or energy-adjacent work, with a CV showing a specific achievement and the potential to lead in the field.
Advanced level of English, as the programme runs entirely in English.
Validation by an employer.
Availability for at least 15 days of contact time per year with the development programme (20 days in Congress years), roughly three hours a week.
Willingness to commit for one year initially and to stay engaged for up to three years.
No entity may have more than two Future Energy Leaders in the programme at the same time.
No nationality or residency restriction is stated. National Member Committee nomination is required in principle; even for direct applications or applications through a World Energy Council partner company, the Council requests support from the applicant’s local Member Committee.

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
≥ 3 yrs
Age requirement
≤ 35 yrs

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Application process

1
Wait for the call for applications to open; the Council states the next one opens in 2027.
2
Complete the online application form and answer the application questions.
3
Submit a CV that evidences a specific achievement and leadership potential.
4
Supply one recommendation letter on official letterhead, signed.
5
Optionally record a one-minute video personal statement addressing the application questions; the Council strongly encourages this.
6
Secure employer validation of your participation.
7
The Future Energy Leaders board reviews applications for completeness, checks them against the criteria and selects the new participants; around 35 new members are invited each year.
8
New members complete onboarding activities of roughly two working days, including a conversation with the Secretary General and CEO.

Program timeline

20 April 2026
The Council announces the 2026 cohort of 59 new Future Energy Leaders.
Each year
Around 35 new Future Energy Leaders are invited to join.
The next call for applications opens; the Council has not published the date.
2027
World Energy Congress in Riyadh, hosted by the Council and the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Energy, with 100 Congress Future Energy Leaders taking part.
2027