The Echoing Green Fellowship is one of the world’s leading programs supporting bold leaders who are tackling some of the most urgent social challenges of our time. Applications are now open for the 2026 Fellowship cycle, with the deadline set for Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 2 PM EDT.

This opportunity is designed for early-stage social entrepreneurs who are building innovative organizations to address systemic inequality and create lasting change. Echoing Green provides funding, leadership development, and a powerful global network to help Fellows transform their visions into sustainable impact.

How to Apply

Applicants can begin their submission through Echoing Green’s official application portal. To help candidates prepare, Echoing Green offers a range of resources, including:

• Offline ApplicationWorksheet
• Sample Questions and Answers
• Fellowship Selection Criteria
• Video Submission Guidance

Candidates are also encouraged to watch the official application webinar for insights from staff and past Fellows.

Who Should Apply

The Fellowship seeks leaders who:

• Are experts on the challenge they are addressing

• Reflect and represent the communities they serve

• Bring deep lived experience and knowledge to their work

• Are building early-stage organizations or initiatives that require financial and non-financial support to grow

Echoing Green supports individuals committed to co-designing solutions with and for their communities, with the vision of building a more just and inclusive future.

Fellowship Selection Process

The selection process is structured to be transparent, inclusive, and engaging:

1. Application Submission
   Applications must be submitted during the open application period. Resources are available to guide candidates through the process.

2. Application Review
   All submissions are carefully read and scored by a team of expert reviewers. Applicants receive updates on their candidacy status.

3. Finalist Interviews
   Selected finalists participate in interviews with expert panelists and are featured in the Echoing Green Talent Report.

4. Fellowship Award
   Successful candidates are notified and begin their Fellowship journey with onboarding, training, and continuous guidance.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

• Must be at least 18 years old by June 1, 2026

• Must be proficient in English (reasonable accommodations available for applicants with visual, hearing, or speech impairments)

• Must be an original founder or part of the founding team with decision-making authority

• Must be the primary decision-maker within the organization

• Must commit to working full-time (40 hours per week) on the proposed organization during the 18-month Fellowship

Organization Eligibility

• Organizations must operate independently and autonomously (fiscal sponsors permitted if no decision-making authority is transferred)

• Organizations should be in the early stage of development, generally under five years with a need for growth resources

• Organizations cannot primarily engage in lobbying or religious recruitment

• Organizations can be structured in any format (nonprofit, for-profit, hybrid, or unincorporated idea stage)

Past or current Echoing Green Fellows on the founding or leadership team render the organization ineligible.

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Tips for a Strong Application

Echoing Green encourages applicants to:

• Start early and allow enough time for drafting, proofreading, and technical submission

• Demonstrate personal connection to the community and issue addressed

• Be specific about goals, processes, and measures of impact

• Avoid jargon and use clear, straightforward language

• Utilize resources such as the Question-by-Question Guide and offline worksheets

Applicants will need to provide:

• General and organizational information

• Short-answer questions about leadership, vision, and community impact

• A collaborative analysis highlighting potential partnerships

• A professional resume

• A 60-second video answering “Why do you do what you do?”

Timeline and Notifications

• Applications due: October 8, 2025, at 2 PM EDT

• Finalist interviews: Early 2026

• Fellowship notifications: June–July 2026

Submission Policies

• Applications must be submitted online through the Echoing Green portal only

• No mailed, faxed, or emailed submissions will be accepted

• Applications cannot be revised once submitted

• Only one application per individual per cycle is allowed

• Extraneous materials such as business plans or letters of inquiry will not be reviewed

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Echoing Green provide feedback if I am not selected?
Applicants receive numerical scoring feedback based on selection criteria, though individualized comments are not provided.

Do I need to be based in the United States?
No. The Fellowship is open to applicants worldwide. Echoing Green does not provide U.S. work sponsorship.

Can multiple founders from one organization apply?
Only one individual per organization can apply in each cycle.

Are there educational requirements?
No educational prerequisites are required.

Does my organization need to be a nonprofit?
No. Any structure is eligible as long as the mission focuses on social impact.

Can I reapply if rejected?
Yes, applicants are welcome to apply again in future cycles.

Contact Information

For additional questions, applicants may email fellowship@echoinggreen.org. Responses are typically provided within two business days.

Echoing Green
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4610
New York, NY 10118
Phone: 212-689-1165

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