Dalai Lama Fellowship 2025 For Young Social Innovators (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the 2025 Dalai Lama Fellowship Program. The Dalai Lama Fellowship (DLF) offers a one-year fellowship program for emerging young leaders and changemakers seeking to cultivate compassionate leadership and personal development. This interdisciplinary and deeply contemplative program provides a transformative curriculum, coaching, group learning, and additional forms of support to help Fellows apply what they are learning to make a positive social impact in the communities they serve. The fellowship is part of a growing global initiative for social innovation that combines mindfulness, self-awareness, and holistic leadership development.

During the fellowship year, each Fellow implements an original field project addressing a local community challenge. With the program’s support, Fellows cultivate skills in emotional intelligence, systems-thinking, listening and communication, and more to make a meaningful difference. The leadership development program includes training in contemplative practices to help Fellows deepen their connection to themselves, others, and the ecosystems they work within. Fellows’ learning is also supported through an interdisciplinary curriculum and 1-on-1 mentorship, essential for driving social change.

Host Institution
Dalai Lama Fellows (DLF)

Requirements/Eligibility criteria
To fulfill the minimum requirements, candidates must demonstrate:

Age requirements: 20–36 years old as of April 1, 2025
Fluency in written and spoken English
Current engagement with or well-articulated plans for a social change project and sustained commitment throughout the fellowship year (Note: while preference is given to applicants with ongoing projects, the fellowship is open to those with a concrete vision and plans to launch a project during the fellowship, provided they have the necessary expertise, resources, and community connections)
In-depth knowledge of the community and issue the project aims to address, with at least one year of community engagement experience preferred
Interest in learning and practicing contemplative leadership methods throughout the year
Commitment to participating in all program components, including the online learning platform, 1-on-1 coaching, group learning calls, etc. (Approximately 12 hours per month, not including project work)
Attendance at the Contemplative Leadership Assembly in mid-July 2025 (DLF will cover travel, lodging, and meal costs for the Assembly)