The Western Union Global Fellowship, delivered by Watson Institute and supported by Western Union, is a fully funded, 16-week virtual fellowship for entrepreneurs and community leaders supporting highly marginalized, refugee, and forcibly displaced communities. The program equips social impact leaders with entrepreneurial training, mentorship, financial literacy tools, pitch support, alumni resources, and a global support network to help them expand economic opportunity and strengthen community-centered impact.
Program details
The fellowship focuses on practical venture development, leadership growth, and community impact. Participants engage in a structured curriculum that includes:
• Entrepreneurship and leadership workshops: Training through Watson Institute’s signature Flagship Fellowship curriculum, alongside a diverse cohort of entrepreneurs.
• Financial tools and resources: Practical frameworks and workshops to strengthen each venture’s financial foundation and long-term sustainability.
• Mentorship and expert guidance: Access to specialists, practitioners, and entrepreneurs who provide insight, workshop facilitation, and 1:1 guidance.
• Basecamp initiative: Each fellow designs and leads a one-day entrepreneurship training program in their own community, supporting earlier-stage entrepreneurs serving marginalized or displaced populations.
• Pitch training and virtual summit: Fellows receive dedicated pitch coaching and present their venture’s growth and community impact during the Virtual Summit.
Eligibility
Applicants should be entrepreneurs or community leaders with a strong connection to the communities they serve.
• Profile: Entrepreneurs or community leaders supporting highly marginalized, refugee, forcibly displaced, or historically underserved communities.
• Leadership fit: The program particularly values proximate leaders with lived experience or close working relationships with the communities they aim to support.
• Venture stage: Businesses or organizations operating for 1 to 5 years.
• Organization type: For-profit, nonprofit, social enterprise, and other legal structures are welcome.
• Scale and traction: Ventures should have fewer than 10 employees, engaged customers or beneficiaries, measurable results, and some funding through grants, investments, donations, or revenue.
• Age: Applicants must be 18 years or older.
• Commitment: Fellows must commit to the full 16-week program, including the virtual Immersive, weekly workshops, community activities, mentorship opportunities, Basecamp planning, and Summit preparation.
Structure and timeline
The 2026 program is fully virtual and follows a fixed schedule.
• Priority application deadline: 28 June 2026.
• Final decisions announced: By 9 July 2026.
• Program duration: 11 August to 3 December 2026.
• Virtual Immersive: 11 August to 18 August 2026.
• Weekly workshops: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM Mountain Time. This is approximately 15:00–17:00 GMT+1 during the August–October portion and 16:00–18:00 GMT+1 during the November–December portion, due to the US daylight-saving change.
• Weekly time commitment: 8 to 10 hours per week.
• Virtual Summit: 3 December 2026, where selected fellows present their venture pitches to an audience of entrepreneurs, community leaders, and peers.
Benefits
Fellows receive a comprehensive support package throughout the program.
• Fully funded participation: The fellowship is fully funded, with no program fee for selected participants.
• Entrepreneurial training: Fellows participate in workshops focused on venture development, leadership, and growth.
• Financial literacy support: Participants access tools, frameworks, and workshops to improve financial planning and sustainability.
• Mentorship: Fellows receive guidance from experts, practitioners, and Watson Institute’s broader network.
• Community development support: Fellows receive training, resources, a playbook, and funding support to organize a one-day Basecamp in their community.
• Pitch coaching: Participants receive support to strengthen their storytelling, pitch delivery, and venture communication.
• Alumni support: Fellows join Watson Institute’s wider alumni and changemaker network after completing the program.
Funding or investment terms
• Program cost: The fellowship is fully funded through support from Western Union.
• Equity requirements: No equity requirement is stated on the official program page.
• Community funding: Fellows receive resources and funding support to deliver their required Basecamp community event.
• Investment pathways: The program does not guarantee direct investment, but Watson Institute states that fellows gain access to potential investors, grantmakers, partners, mentorship, pitch opportunities, and relationship-building resources that can support future growth.
Application and selection process
The application process is designed to identify entrepreneurs with scalable ventures and strong potential for community impact.
• Submission: Candidates complete the online application, which takes approximately 30 minutes.
• Priority consideration: Applicants should submit by 28 June 2026 for priority review. Applications may continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
• Review: The admissions committee evaluates applicants based on innovation, venture scalability, impact potential, and alignment with the fellowship’s mission.
• Interview: Selected candidates are invited to a 20-minute Zoom interview to discuss their entrepreneurial journey, growth vision, and fit with the fellowship.
• Final selection and enrollment: Final decisions are announced by 9 July 2026. Accepted applicants must confirm enrollment before the program begins on 11 August 2026.
The Western Union Global Fellowship is a strong opportunity for entrepreneurs and community leaders working with refugee, displaced, and highly marginalized communities. By combining practical training, expert mentorship, financial tools, pitch preparation, and the Basecamp model, the program helps fellows strengthen their ventures while creating direct local impact. Leaders working across eligible Western Union priority geographies are encouraged to apply by the 28 June 2026 priority deadline.