2026 Young Leaders Fellowship - Mentor and Lead Mentor Applications are OPEN!
About the Program
What is it
The Young Leaders Fellowship Program is a leadership opportunity open to all young people between 18 – 26 from all over the world who wish to address community projects in the areas of education, health, and economic security. The year-long Fellowship prepares young people to become leaders of change in their communities through leadership development, global citizenship, self-awareness, and vision planning.
Contents of the Program
What We Offer
It is our mentors, Fellowship alumni, who help facilitate this process. The program’s mentorship part is based on three phases
Hybrid | Mentor Training
Virtual | Mentor Training
One-day virtual session (Date TBC) – June 2026 | Virtual
In-Person | Mentor Training
Two days in-person training – July 19 & 20, 2026 | New York
The 2026 Fellowship begins with the Mentor Training. Mentors explore the methods and tools behind vision planning, team building, and cultural competency during the training.
In-Person | Vision Planning & Project Development
(July 21 – 30, 2026) | New York & Vermont
The in-person Fellowship Training Program which includes diverse speakers, workshops, events, and facilitated group work, participants can put their local issues into a larger global context while understanding why they are uniquely positioned to change their community. The program will focus on leadership development, global citizenship, and how to develop a project from beginning to end.
Mentors play a crucial role in the success of the in-person Fellowship Training Program as they lead sessions and activities, monitor and evaluate the work of the mentees, and help build group cohesion. Mentors are also paired with mentee(s), helping guide them through the process of creating a viable vision plan.
Virtual | Project Implementation & Alumni Mentorship
(August 2026 – July 2027)
To further develop and execute their actionable plans, mentors continue to provide mentees with guidance and support on the development of their vision plans by facilitating regular “hangouts,” in addition to ongoing remote communication, in which mentors check in on the status of their mentees’ vision plans, share inspirational ideas and stories, and address any questions that arise along the way.
Mentors are supported throughout the process by Co-Lead Mentors and the MCW Global team by participating in regular “hangouts” and ongoing remote communication.
Eligibility Requirements
Am I Eligible?
To be eligible to become a Mentor, mentors should:
Be a graduate of the Young Leaders Fellowship (previously known as the Young Leaders Access Program – YLA or a pre-2016 Youth Leadership Retreat).
Mentees of the 2025 Fellowship are eligible to apply.
Young Leaders Conference participants are not eligible to apply.
Maintain timely communications and engagement with the MCW Global team.
Demonstrate efforts to further develop their vision plan, in part or in whole, and to share lessons learned from the process.
Have access to email or other internet communication platforms (e.g. WhatsApp, Facebook, and ZOOM) that support regular communication with Co-Lead Mentors, the MCW Global team, and mentees.
Commit to attending the 2026 Fellowship virtual and in-person Mentor Training (July 19 & 20, 2026), in-person Training Program (July 21 – July 30, 2026) and providing ongoing Vision Planning and Project Development Support during the year-long program (August 2026 – July 2027).
Be eligible for an appropriate visa and travel documentation.
Submit a complete application by January 18, 2026.
Timeline
Stay on Track
- December 16, 2025: Mentor Application Opens;
- January 18, 2026: Mentor Application Closes (Deadline at 11:59 PM EST – New York Timezone);
- February 6, 2026: Mentor Acceptances Sent Out;
- February 13, 2026: Confirmation of Acceptance;
- February 20, 2026: Confirmation of Visa Interview Date;
- June 2026: Virtual | Mentor Training: One-day virtual session, Date TBC (Virtual)
- July 19 & 20, 2026: In-Person Mentor Training (New York, New York);
- July 21 – July 30, 2026: In-Person Training Program – Young Leaders Fellowship (New York, New York & Burlington, Vermont);
- August 2026 – July 2027: Support Vision Planning and Project Development;
Logistics Information & Costs
Here’s How it Works
Please read the following logistics information and cost carefully and confirm your comprehension by signing at the bottom.
The 2026 Fellowship Mentor Training will take place in a hybrid version, one day virtually in June 2026 (date TBC) and two days in person in New York, New York, from July 19 – 20, 2026, and the Fellowship Training Program will take place in New York, New York, and Burlington, Vermont, from July 21 – 30, 2026. Accommodations will be provided by New York University in New York and Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont.
Costs Covered by MCW
- International Economy Flights for international mentors/lead mentors
- Domestic Economy flights for United States mentors/lead mentors
- Housing from the evening of July 18 – July 30, 2026
- Three meals per day from July 19 – July 30, 2026
- Round-trip travel from New York, New York to Burlington, Vermont
- Public Transportation to/from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Airports
- Visa Fees
Cost Not Covered by MCW
- Passport Fees
- In-Country Costs (travel to the airport, extra baggage fees, etc.)
Flights
In an effort to make the program accessible to all individuals, MCW will cover economy flight costs related to the program’s attendance for every accepted participant. Flights will only be booked to arrive one day in advance of the program and to depart one day after the program. If you wish to travel in the US for longer than this time, you must book the flight on your own, and MCW will reimburse you for the cost of the flight according to what MCW would have booked. No exceptions will be made.
If a participant delays applying for their visa after being accepted into the program and, as a result, will receive the visa less than a month before the program begins, travel will no longer be provided.
If MCW is booking any travel on behalf of a participant, all travel will be according to the most cost-efficient route and booked in economy (or equivalent) class.
Additional Housing on July 18, 2026, and July 30, 2026
MCW will provide a room the night before and after the program for those whose flight schedules require them to arrive the day before or depart after the program. This is considered to be a part of the program, and it is the responsibility of the participant to notify MCW at least a month before the start of the program if they require housing. Requests for a room later than this period of time will not be considered. Please note that a room will not be provided for those arriving or departing more than 24 hours before the start or the end of the program. These participants are expected to find their own accommodations. MCW (including staff, volunteers, board members, and friends of MCW) are not responsible for providing accommodations for participants prior to or beyond the program.
If you request the room and then choose not to stay there, please note that the NYU cancellation fee is $50 and should be payed by you.
Lead Mentor Role
Are you interested in being a Lead Mentor?
If you were a mentor at a past Young Leaders Fellowship (previously known as the Young Leaders Access Program – YLA or a pre-2016 Youth Leadership Retreat) you are eligible to apply.
Responsibilities include:
- Participating in online planning sessions from April to July 2026;
- Participating in preparing and facilitating the Mentor Training portion of the Fellowship program prior to the Fellowship Training Program;
- Participating in the entire in-person Fellowship Training Program;
- Participating in a post-program evaluation;
- Assigning mentors with roles and responsibilities, such as energizers, and workshops;
- Organizing and facilitating mentor meetings;
- Being available on an ad-hoc basis to address mentor needs and questions;
- Contributing ideas, opportunities, and inspirational stories throughout the Fellowship program;
- Co-lead regular mentor hangouts with mentors and MCW Global team members.
If you wish to be considered for the role, please fill out the mentor application and click “YES” to the question “Do you want your application to be considered for the role of Co-Lead Mentor?”
Need any help?
If you have any questions or need further clarifications, please feel free to:
