ProFellow’s mission is to make funding opportunities more accessible to diverse audiences and to share advice on the competitive application process. We select and share funded fellowship opportunities for students, academics, and professionals across all career stages and disciplines. We also publish content written by fellowship winners who aim to pay it forward and inspire the next generation of fellows. Each year, we identify the most popular fellowships based on the activity of our community of more than 300,000 fellowship seekers who find and bookmark fellowships in our free comprehensive funding database.
Congratulations to the fellowship programs that made the list! The ProFellow community thanks you for providing opportunities for those seeking funding and support to achieve social impact.
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If you enjoy this list, you may also want to see The Top 10 Most Popular Fully Funded PhD Programs of 2024.
1. Women’s International Study Center (WISC) Fellowships
The Women’s International Study Center (WISC) Fellowships offer one-month residencies to writers, artists, scholars, scientists, professionals, and innovators whose projects align with WISC’s focus on the arts, sciences, cultural preservation, business, and philanthropy, with a specific emphasis on women’s experiences and interests. Open to individuals at all career stages, fellows work in residence to advance their projects, often engaging the community through public events like workshops or conversations. Applicants must submit a 500-word proposal detailing their project, its relevance to WISC’s mission, and its current status. Selected fellows gain access to resources such as the Acequia Madre House Archive and are reviewed by an esteemed academic advisory committee.
Be sure to check out Dr. Mi’Jan Tho-Biaz’s video interview, who won multiple fellowships, including the WISC!
2. Pauli Murray Fellowship Program
The Pauli Murray Fellowship, part of the ACLU’s Systemic Equality Campaign, is an 18-month program designed to cultivate leadership pathways for college graduates who have overcome systemic barriers and aspire to careers in the nonprofit sector. Named in honor of Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray, the fellowship focuses on developing skills in nonprofit operations and advancing civil rights and civil liberties. Fellows work with ACLU teams in Communications and Development, engaging in impactful projects and initiatives tailored to their interests and experience. This program provides training, exposure, and mentorship to equip fellows with the tools and networks needed to succeed as nonprofit professionals.
3. Vital Voices Visionaries Fellowship
The Vital Voices Visionaries Fellowship, created in partnership with the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund, empowers emerging women leaders who drive social impact in their communities and beyond. Open to women aged 18 and older, this fellowship offers a 7-week immersive virtual leadership experience featuring training based on Vital Voices’ proven leadership model and insights from Estée Lauder executives and global leaders. Three cohorts of 50 participants in 2024 will benefit from this program, with select fellows gaining additional opportunities for in-person training. Graduates join a network of over 20,000 changemakers across 185 countries, united in advancing gender equity and redefining leadership for a more equitable world.
4. Fulbright U.S. Student Program for Study/Research
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program for Study/Research offers recent graduates, students, and early-career professionals the chance to conduct research, pursue graduate study, or undertake creative projects abroad. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, it fosters cross-cultural exchange in over 140 countries. Applicants design their projects with host institutions and must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to global engagement. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, a bachelor’s degree by the grant start, and the ability to meet host country requirements. This program supports scholars and artists in making meaningful contributions to their fields and communities.
Check out ProFellow’s many interviews with Fulbright winners like Akshali Gandhi on Enhancing Urban Mobility for a Sustainable Future
5. Mira Fellowship
The Mira Fellowship is a six-month program for mid-career professionals worldwide with bold visions for a more inclusive cultural future. Fellows receive coaching, micro-grants, and opportunities for collaboration to refine and test actionable plans for societal change. The program includes monthly online cohort meetings through partnerships, three virtual summits, and an optional in-person summit. Mira Fellows are expected to reframe assumptions, live-test their ideas, and present clear, actionable steps for implementing their vision. Ideal candidates are proven professionals with a track record of tackling complex problems, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to driving innovative, compassionate solutions.
Interested in getting a first-hand glimpse of the Mira Fellowship? Read Fellow Dr. Nita Evans’ interview here!
6. Black Leadership Institute
The Black Leadership Institute (BLI) is an 18-month fellowship program for senior-level Black leaders across sectors who drive social impact and address disparities in education, health care, workforce development, and environmental justice. Starting in January 2025, the program supports 35 fellows through in-person regional convenings, virtual sessions, executive coaching, and retreats in historically significant locations, fostering leadership growth by exploring social, financial, knowledge, and cultural capital. Ideal candidates have at least 10 years of senior leadership experience, a commitment to equity, and a proven ability to create change in historically marginalized communities. Fellows also build strong cross-sector networks and connections, enhancing their leadership and social impact locally and nationally.
7. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Growth Fellowship
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Growth Fellowship is a prestigious opportunity for alumni of the 10,000 Women online business education program, designed to empower women entrepreneurs worldwide. The fellowship begins with an intensive four-day, in-person program at Goldman Sachs offices in New York and Washington, D.C., offering customized training in marketing, leadership, and resilience and coaching from Goldman Sachs professionals. Participants also receive a three-month virtual mentoring program to address unique business challenges and growth strategies. To qualify, applicants must complete the 10,000 Women free online course on Coursera and will be notified when applications reopen.
Amanda Obidike won the Growth fellowship and used it as a launching point for the many prestigious opportunities she participated in!
8. Carr Center Racial Justice Fellowships
The Carr Center Racial Justice Fellowships focus on advancing racial and economic equity by fostering innovative research and practical projects that align with the Center’s priorities. Open to diverse applicants, including post-docs, scholars, human rights defenders, and senior leaders, the fellowship spans an academic year (September to June) and offers a $10,000 stipend. Fellows engage in research, writing, and collaboration with Carr Center faculty, participate in periodic Zoom calls, and present their work for expert feedback. While primarily non-residential, fellows attend an in-person convening at Harvard Kennedy School, with limited travel subsidies and shared office space available.
9. Creative Capital Awards
The Creative Capital Awards provide groundbreaking artists across disciplines with up to $50,000 in project funding and an additional $50,000 in career development support. Open to U.S.-based artists aged 25 and older with at least five years of professional practice, these prestigious awards fund innovative, risk-taking projects in visual arts, performing arts, film, technology, literature, and socially engaged forms. In addition to funding, recipients gain access to expert consultations, workshops, networking, and a vibrant alumni network to foster artistic and professional growth. Applications undergo a rigorous three-round review by external experts.
10. Emerging Writer Fellowships
The Miami Book Fair’s Emerging Writer Fellowships offer a transformative opportunity for rising literary talents to refine their craft and launch their careers. Funded by the Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation and the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, the fellowship provides three writers; one in fiction, one nonfiction, and one in poetry, with a $50,000 stipend, mentorship from a nationally acclaimed author and access to a vibrant literary community. Designed to support completing a book-length project within a year, the program offers professional development in arts administration, teaching, and public engagement. The fellowship embodies the Miami Book Fair’s mission to champion fresh literary talent and provide resources for their success by fostering creativity, inclusivity, and diverse voices.
If you enjoyed learning about these fellowships, be sure to also check out Top 10 Summer Fellowships you can apply for next year!
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