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Western Union Global Fellowship Program
Details
Application deadline: Jul 1, 2025
Location:Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, India, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Uganda, UK, USA
Funding agency:
Contracting authority: Watson Institute
Contracting authority type:Nonprofit institute / think tank
Quick summary
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Objectives: The 2025 Western Union Global Fellowship Program is a fully funded, 16-week virtual fellowship aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and leaders from marginalized, refugee, or forcibly displaced communities. The fellowship provides essential skills and resources to help participants scale their ventures and enhance their leadership capabilities. Fellows engage in hands-on training, receive mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, and earn a financial stipend to execute a local Basecamp project. The program culminates in a virtual summit where fellows pitch their ideas to leaders and funders, strengthening their global network and impact.
Eligibility criteria: This fellowship is open to nonprofit or for-profit organizations actively working in the Problem-Solution or Product-Market Fit stages. Eligible applicants should demonstrate an established business model serving highly marginalized, refugee, or forcibly displaced communities and show measurable impact. Organizations located in or impacting the United States, Uganda, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, UK, Germany, Lithuania, Japan, Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Brazil are especially considered. Ventures must be generating revenue, securing funding, or building a robust user base. Participants need to be fully committed to the four-month program, which requires attendance at virtual sessions and the leadership of a community development workshop in their local area. A special emphasis is placed on continuous engagement throughout the virtual workshops, summits, and impactful execution of the local Basecamp.
Description
Empower Communities. Scale Impact. Join the 2025 Western Union Global Fellowship Program.
About the Fellowship
Are you an entrepreneur or leader from a marginalized, refugee, or forcibly displaced community — or working to create meaningful change within one?
This fully funded, 16-week virtual Fellowship is designed to help you scale your venture, strengthen your leadership, and join a powerful global network of changemakers. You’ll receive:
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Hands-on training & live sessions with expert facilitators
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Personalized mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs
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A financial stipend and support to lead a local Basecamp project
"A huge thank you to the Watson team and the Western Union for this life-changing opportunity — one that truly empowers us to empower our communities."
— Lavina Nagpal, 2024 Western Union Global Fellowship Program Fellow
✅ Ready to Apply?
Spots are limited — apply early to be considered.
Apply Now
Who Should Apply?
✔️ Entrepreneurs or community leaders working in Problem-Solution or Product-Market Fit stage
✔️ Those located in or creating impact in: United States, Uganda, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, UK, Germany, Lithuania, Japan, Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil
✔️ Individuals committed to attending virtual sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM MT
Join Our Upcoming Alumni Panel — Thursday, May 22nd
Get a firsthand look at the Fellowship experience during our live, virtual panel featuring recent alumni. You’ll learn:
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What to expect as a Fellow
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How to submit a strong application
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Tips from Fellows who’ve been in your shoes
Reserve your spot:
Register Here
What Fellows Are Saying:
“I’m truly humbled to have been part of this fellowship. You’ve not only shaped me as an entrepreneur but also instilled a deeper sense of purpose in my journey as a woman entrepreneur.”
— Jael Cortez. 2024 Western Union Global Fellowship Program Fellow
“The Western Union Global Fellowship Program was the best fellowship I’ve ever been part of — the credit goes to the amazing team at Watson Institute!”
— Hassan Mujtaba Zaidi. 2024 Western Union Global Fellowship Program Fellow
“Your support has been instrumental in pushing me forward and encouraging me to pursue my dreams… I aspire to be an alumnus that makes you proud.”
— Alonso Marino Chavez Valdespino. 2024 Western Union Global Fellowship Program Fellow
P.S. Know someone who might be a great fit? Share the opportunity with your network!
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