Acumen Fellowship 2025: Apply Now To Learn Leadership For Social Impact -

Introduction to the Acumen Fellowship 2025

Do you dream of leading real, transformative change in your community or sector? Are you committed to tackling issues of poverty, inequality, and injustice with bold ideas and ethical leadership? The Acumen Fellowship 2025 is your chance to join a global network of changemakers redefining what it means to lead in the 21st century.

This prestigious year-long fellowship is designed for individuals who are deeply rooted in their communities and ready to take their impact to the next level. Whether you’re a social entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, educator, or community organizer, the Acumen Fellowship 2025 will equip you with the mindset, tools, and connections to accelerate your journey as a systems-changing leader.

About the Acumen Fellowship 2025

The Acumen Fellowship is a highly competitive, intensive leadership development program that supports individuals who are tackling the most pressing social issues of our time. Each year, Acumen selects cohorts in multiple regions, including East Africa, West Africa, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Spain, and Colombia.

The fellowship is centered around a values-driven approach to leadership and emphasizes moral imagination, adaptive leadership, and systems thinking. Over the course of a year, Fellows engage in both virtual and in-person seminars, peer learning, mentorship, and real-world project work.

The program is designed to accommodate full-time work and is not a full-time residency making it ideal for individuals actively working in their communities.

Eligibility Criteria for the Acumen Fellowship 2025

The program is open to individuals who:

Are residents and nationals of one of Acumen’s fellowship regions (e.g., West Africa, East Africa, India, etc.)
Are proven leaders driving social change within their communities or sectors

Are available to fully participate in all virtual and in-person seminars across the fellowship year
Have a minimum of 5 years of work experience, preferably in social impact, development, education, advocacy, or related fields
Are committed to systemic change and grounded in moral and ethical leadership

Acumen is committed to diversity and seeks leaders across race, gender, age, and sector.

Benefits of the Acumen Fellowship 2025

World-Class Leadership Training: Gain access to tools and frameworks in systems thinking, adaptive leadership, and moral imagination.
Global Network of Peers: Become part of a lifelong community of over 1,000 Acumen Fellows from around the world.

Mentorship and Coaching: Receive individualized support to refine your leadership strategy and maximize your impact.
Practical Tools for Systems Change: Apply your learning to a real-world project or initiative throughout the year.
Peer-to-Peer Learning: Collaborate and exchange ideas with other regional leaders tackling similar challenges.

Visibility and Credibility: Being selected as an Acumen Fellow boosts your professional profile and adds global recognition to your work.
No Cost to Participate: The program is fully funded. Travel and accommodation for in-person seminars are covered by Acumen.
Life-Long Fellowship Community: Graduates continue to benefit from Acumen’s global network, ongoing resources, and leadership summits.

Program Format & Duration

The fellowship runs for one year and includes:

4 multi-day in-person seminars (travel costs covered)
Regular virtual learning labs and group work

A real-world systems change project designed and executed by each fellow

The program is designed to allow participants to continue their day jobs while fully engaging in the fellowship experience.

Required Documents

Applicants will need to provide:

An up-to-date résumé or LinkedIn profile
Short essay responses on leadership and social impact
A video introduction (optional but highly recommended)

Names of 2 professional references (no letters needed at application stage)

Selection Criteria

Candidates are selected based on:

Demonstrated leadership and ethical grounding

Clarity of purpose and mission
Track record of impact within a community or sector
Readiness to engage with complexity and systems thinking

How to Apply

Select your country or region
Review the specific fellowship page
Complete the online application form

Submit all required materials before your regional deadline

Final Thoughts

The Acumen Fellowship 2025 is not just a leadership program but it’s a global call to those who are building inclusive, just, and sustainable societies. If you’re ready to step into your boldest vision of change, this fellowship will give you the tools, community, and momentum to make it happen.

Don’t miss the chance to join one of the world’s most respected networks of impact leaders.