Western Union Global Fellowship Program

The Western Union Global Fellowship Program is a fully-funded Impact Fellowship designed to empower individuals supporting or hailing from refugee, highly-marginalized, or forcibly displaced communities around the globe. Through this program, Fellows will gain essential skills, resources, and networks to scale their ventures and accelerate their impact.

📅 Key Dates

• Program Duration: August 25–December 16, 2025
• Immersive Experience: 2-week virtual immersive experience starting August 25, 2025, with daily sessions from 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM MT
• Virtual Summit: December 16, 2025
• Application Deadline: July 1, 2025

⏳ Time Commitment

• Weekly Sessions: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8:30 AM–10:30 AM MT (GMT-6)
• Total Weekly Commitment: 8–10 hours
• Immersive Period Commitment: 10–15 hours per week

🛠️ Core Components

• Virtual Workshops: Interactive online sessions with your cohort.
• Basecamp: Lead a 1-3 day impact workshop in your community.
• Virtual Summit: Pitch to leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs.
• Community Development Stipend: Financial support to plan and execute a community-focused workshop.

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

Pitch Development & Professional Recording

• Refine how you communicate your venture’s impact and vision to stakeholders.
• Create a professionally recorded pitch video for use beyond the Fellowship.
• Master the art of engaging and persuading key audiences.

Skill Enhancement & Leadership Growth

• Develop essential skills through hands-on workshops focused on strategic planning, venture development, and problem-solving.
• Build resilience and adaptability for the entrepreneurial journey.
• Learn to effectively lead and scale an impact-driven organization.

Mentorship & Expert Guidance

• Receive one-on-one guidance from experienced mentors and industry professionals.
• Participate in group mentorship circles for collaborative learning.
• Work directly with an Entrepreneur in Residence to support your venture’s growth.

Community & Network Expansion

• Join a dynamic community of impact-driven entrepreneurs and changemakers.
• Connect with Fellows, Alumni, and experts committed to social impact.
• Build lasting relationships that extend beyond the Fellowship.

Visibility & Collaboration

• Share your work through Watson Institute summits and events.
• Connect with mission-aligned leaders, funders, and industry influencers.
• Position yourself as a thought leader in social impact.

Real-World Experience Through Basecamp

• Design and lead a Basecamp community event with provided training and resources.
• Put your leadership skills into action through hands-on experience.
• Receive a stipend to support your community initiative.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Fellow Profile

• You have experienced the challenges of marginalized, refugee, or displaced communities and are actively working to address issues for these populations.

Venture Stage

• Your nonprofit or for-profit organization has an established business model and is actively serving customers or beneficiaries in historically underserved communities.
• You are ready to scale your impact with the support of dedicated mentorship and resources.

Location & Eligibility

Applicants located in and/or creating impact in the following locations are encouraged to apply:

• Costa Rica, Argentina, Lithuania, the Philippines, the United States, Brazil, Uganda, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, India, Bangladesh, Mexico, Germany, Colombia, Japan, and Pakistan.

📝 Application Process

1. Submit Your Application: Complete the online application in approximately 30 minutes. Submit by the priority deadline of July 1, 2025, for early consideration. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
2. Application Review: The Admissions Committee evaluates applications to identify entrepreneurs with scalable ventures and strong potential for impact. Early applicants receive priority consideration.
3. Interview: Selected candidates will be invited to a 20-minute Zoom interview to share their entrepreneurial journey, discuss their venture’s vision for growth, and explore how the Fellowship aligns with their goals.
4. Final Selection & Enrollment: Final decisions will be announced by July 25, 2025. Accepted applicants must confirm their enrollment to secure their spot. The program begins on August 25, 2025.

🌟 Sponsor Organization

The Western Union Global Fellowship Program is sponsored by the Watson Institute.

🔗 Application Links

• View Program Details
• Apply Now

📌 Application Deadline

July 1, 2025

This Fellowship is an incredible opportunity for impact-driven entrepreneurs to grow their ventures, expand their networks, and make a lasting difference in underserved communities. Don't miss your chance to apply!

• Refine how you communicate your venture’s impact and vision to stakeholders.
• Create a professionally recorded pitch video you can use beyond the Fellowship.
• Master the art of engaging and persuading key audiences.
• Develop essential skills through hands-on workshops focused on strategic planning, venture development, and problem-solving.
• Build resilience and adaptability for the entrepreneurial journey.
• Learn to effectively lead and scale an impact-driven organization.
• Receive one-on-one guidance from experienced mentors and industry professionals.
• Participate in group mentorship circles for collaborative learning.
• Work directly with an Entrepreneur in Residence who supports your venture’s growth.
• Join a dynamic community of impact-driven entrepreneurs and changemakers.
• Connect with Fellows, Alumni, and experts who share your commitment to social impact.
• Build lasting relationships that extend beyond the Fellowship.
• Share your work through Watson Institute summits and events.
• Connect with mission-aligned leaders, funders, and industry influencers.
• Position yourself as a thought leader in social impact.
• Design and lead a Basecamp community event with provided training and resources.
• Put your leadership skills into action through hands-on experience.
• Receive a stipend to support your community initiative.