This overview highlights the Global Solvers Accelerator, an eight-month, peer-driven, collaboration-based learning journey designed to build leadership capacity and transform social impact projects. The information below consolidates frequently asked questions about the program, eligibility, application steps, fees, scholarships, participation expectations, and post-program opportunities.
Program Overview and Learning Approach
• Format: An 8-month, peer-driven, collaboration-based learning journey for young SDG practitioners aged 20–35 who are invested in a local impact project and want to work with global peers.
• Distinction: Serves as a learning platform, catalyst, and accelerator by combining thematic learning, project work, and collaborative exchange.
• Learning methods: Blends guided practice, peer exchange, dynamic facilitation, and cutting-edge insights to nurture leadership, expand networks, and strengthen tools for transformative impact.
• Capacity areas: Focuses on collective leadership, systemic design, and sustainable impact, with learning translating directly into action.
• Global citizenship: Aims to help participants become catalysts for transformative change who can leverage global citizenship skills to connect and collaborate across boundaries of place, identity, and paradigms.
• SDG alignment: The Melton Foundation supports the Global Goals through global citizenship capacity development (SDG 4) and cross-boundary collaboration (SDG 17); participants map their projects against the SDGs, explore the interconnected nature of the goals, and identify opportunities to align local initiatives with a broader SDG agenda.
Eligibility and Project Requirements
• Age and project base: Open to young SDG practitioners aged 20–35 who are invested in a social impact project or initiative.
• Project requirement: A project is mandatory; it may be at early planning or advanced implementation stage, but without a project applicants would not be able to get the most out of the program.
• Project criteria: The social impact project or project plan must currently exist; be concrete and connected to a particular territory or community on the ground; and continue at least for the duration of the program.
• SDG focus: There is no requirement to focus on specific SDGs; the program recognizes the 17 SDGs as interlinked and asks applicants to identify which SDG(s) their project contributes to and how.
• Group applications: Not accepted; applications are individual. Groups are encouraged to designate the best-suited member as a representative of the project, with indirect benefit for the wider team.
• Geographic eligibility: Open globally to anyone who meets the candidate requirements, regardless of country of origin or current base.
• Language: English is the primary means of communication; sufficient English language skills are expected for full participation.
Application and Selection
• Application form: The online application form is comprehensive and requires time to complete; applicants should consult the Application Guide and prepare sufficiently early.
• Additional scholarship documents: If requesting financial support, applicants must present a personal statement outlining the need for support and an endorsement letter from a trustworthy reference such as a supervisor or co-leader.
• AI use: Tools like ChatGPT or Claude may be used to polish a final draft, but not to generate or draft answers; authenticity matters, and AI-generated applications will most likely be eliminated.
• Cohort size: Up to 20 motivated and well-suited candidates are accepted each year.
• Selection process: The selection process spans multiple evaluation stages. If an application advances to the vetting stage, two references will be contacted in early December 2026 for short letters of recommendation.
• Shortlist assessment: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 120-minute virtual assessment center scheduled for 30 January 2027; applicants should expect a mid-January update and possible invitation.
Program Fee and Scholarship Support
• Program fee: $900 USD, payable only if selected.
• Scholarships: Available at 20%, 50%, or 80% of the program fee for participants with demonstrated financial need; receiving a scholarship does not affect chances of selection.
• Full scholarships: Not available; participants are encouraged to raise funds to participate, and crowdfunding tips are offered to support campaign goals.
• Solidarity economy: The fee structure is guided by principles of solidarity economy; candidates are encouraged to commit to a fee they can genuinely afford, trusting that everyone contributes within their means. This shared commitment is part of how the program and its fee structure work.
• Scholarship request timing: Scholarships must be requested as part of the application. Only requests made in the Application Form can be considered; requests made after submission or after selection cannot be accommodated.
• Documentation for scholarship: A personal statement outlining financial need and an endorsement letter from a trusted reference, such as a supervisor or co-leader of the project, are required.
Participation, Travel, and Technical Requirements
• Weekly commitment: About 4 hours per week for bi-weekly Zoom sessions and asynchronous work, plus one fully funded in-person week at the Global Solvers Co-Lab.
• Minimum participation: A participation rate of 75% is required to successfully complete the program.
• Travel: Actively engaged participants will participate in a week-long, fully funded in-person Meet-Up called the Global Solvers Co-Lab; all other aspects of the program are designed for virtual participation.
• Co-Lab nature: The Co-Lab is a working week, not a retreat; expect intensive schedules, unfamiliar environments, and shared learning spaces. The value is in the work done there, not the destination.
• Learning modules: The program entails 8 thematic modules covering project effectiveness, team dynamics, collective leadership, intersectionality, (eco)systemic approaches, (social) innovation, regenerative practices, impact modeling, audience engagement and strategic visibility, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Learning supports: Each thematic module includes a carefully curated resource section, bi-weekly online sessions, subject matter advisory and mentoring, and peer insight into social impact work elsewhere.
• Technical needs: A desktop or laptop with stable, high-speed internet, a working camera and microphone are strongly recommended. Sessions are highly interactive and use tools like Miro, Howspace, and Google Docs; a proper desk or workspace setup is also advised.
Participant Commitments
• Attend and participate fully in all online and in-person sessions.
• Complete required readings, preparatory activities, and assignments.
• Arrive on time and engage actively in workshops and discussions online and in person.
• Treat peers, facilitators, staff, and host communities with respect.
• Collaborate openly across cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Practice empathy, active listening, curiosity, and constructive dialogue.
• Contribute to group activities and shared responsibilities.
• Uphold the values and code of conduct of the Melton Foundation.
After the Program and Related Opportunities
• Community of Practice: Upon successful completion, participants become part of the Melton Foundation’s lifelong Community of Practice, a global network of over 600 Melton Fellows.
• Ongoing benefits: The community offers ongoing opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, leadership development, and access to resources that support personal, professional, and social impact growth across borders.
• Related Melton Foundation programs: The foundation offers two eight-month programs that are pathways to becoming a Melton Fellow—the Global Solvers Accelerator and the Global Citizenship Learning Program. The latter is designed for students at Melton Foundation partner universities.
• Program differences: The two programs differ in goals, curriculum, candidate profile, and scope, but both pathways equip emerging leaders with the skills, networks, and experiences to drive impact within a global community committed to sustainable development and global citizenship.
• Student-specific option: University students at partner universities aged 18–25 can explore the Global Citizenship Learning Program, described as a ten-month experience offering immersive learning, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities to engage with global challenges while building local impact.
The Global Solvers Accelerator is positioned as a selective, project-centered learning journey for emerging social impact practitioners who want to strengthen their leadership and connect their local work to global sustainable development networks. Interested candidates should review the complete application guide, prepare documentation early, and consider whether they can meet the participation and financial expectations before applying.