Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded Program for Young Changemakers

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has opened applications for the Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship 2026. This fully funded program targets early-career changemakers aged 24 to 31. It offers a 21-month journey to build leadership skills and create real impact in communities.

Young leaders often drive change in tough settings but need better tools to grow. This fellowship provides seminars, coaching, and hands-on practice. Participants tackle their own work challenges while gaining a national network.

About the Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship

The Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship supports the foundation’s Thrive by 25 initiative. This effort helps young people gain skills for school, jobs, and life. The program came from ideas shared by young leaders across the U.S.

It focuses on people aged 24 to 31 who lead efforts in communities with big challenges. Fellows might work in education, public policy, community development, youth advocacy, arts, social justice, nonprofits, or civic groups. They build partnerships, shape policy, and solve problems for kids, youth, families, and neighborhoods.

What Sets This Fellowship Apart

Most leadership programs teach ideas in a classroom. The Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship stresses real action. Fellows pick a key challenge from their job and work on it during the program.

They use coaching, peer talks, and seminars to test solutions. This builds two sides of leadership: inner growth like self-awareness and outer skills like handling teams and systems. Fellows apply lessons right away in their roles.

Program Structure and Duration

The fellowship lasts 21 months. It mixes in-person events, online sessions, and ongoing work. Key parts include applied leadership projects, seminars, coaching, and custom plans.

Applied Leadership Work

Fellows choose one main challenge tied to their job. They get coaching, peer input, seminars, and time to reflect. This leads to clear progress by the end.

In-Person and Virtual Sessions

Events cover strategy, communication, teamwork, and big-picture thinking. Fellows visit different places to learn from local leaders and communities.

Coaching and Peer Support

Each fellow gets one-on-one coaching, group sessions, and feedback. These build better choices, confidence, and skills.

Ongoing Activities Between Sessions

Virtual calls, exercises, and peer check-ins keep growth steady.

Faculty Site Visits

Experts visit fellows at work. They watch daily tasks, spot issues, and link program tools to real needs.

Custom Learning Plans

Fellows create their own path to match career goals.

Networking Focus

The program builds ties with peers, faculty, leaders, and experts. These last beyond the fellowship.

Key Goals of the Fellowship

Fellows learn to lead with results, focus on fairness, change systems, and team up for community wins. They gain skills to rally people, fix gaps, handle tough setups, and make lasting change.

Focus on Equity and Justice

The program looks at how race, identity, and unfair systems affect communities. Fellows study barriers like poor access and unequal chances. They build plans to fight these through their work.

Benefits for Organizations

Fellows bring fresh ideas back to their teams. This boosts teamwork and goals. Bosses must support time off for events and let fellows use new skills on the job.

Full Financial Coverage

The foundation pays for travel, hotels, meals, and materials at events. Extra help covers childcare or access needs. No money worries for core parts.

Reasons to Apply

This chance offers paid training, coaching, networks, and real skills. It speeds up careers for those set on equity and community good. Applications close July 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. EDT.

Apply at the official link from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Check their site for details.

Frequently Asked Questions