Applications are invited from around the world for the 2012 Yale World Fellows Program. The Program provides emerging leaders with an exceptional opportunity to enrich themselves by enhancing their critical thinking skills, learning all they can about cutting-edge issues, and developing a strategic vision for their own professional trajectories and societal impacts.
Program Core Goals
The Yale World Fellows Program has three core goals:
- broadening the knowledge foundations and strengthening the leadership skills of a set of emerging leaders from around the world;
- deepening the international dialogue across the Yale campus by having the World Fellows play a role as catalysts for conversations and as a source of perspectives, both formal and informal, on global issues and challenges;
- creating a network of international decision makers from a range of disciplines who are connected to Yale and to each other.
Selection Criteria
- An established record of extraordinary achievement and integrity;
- Commitment to engagement in crucial issues and to making a difference at the national or international level;
- Promise of a future career of leadership and notable impact;
- Special capacity for critical, creative, entrepreneurial, and strategic thinking;
- Likelihood to benefit from participation in the Program and to contribute to global understanding at Yale;
- Commitment to a rigorous program of activities, to full-time residence at Yale for the duration of the program, and to mentoring students and speaking frequently on campus
Applicants must:
- be in the mid-career stage, at least five and typically not more than twenty years into their professional careers, with demonstrated work accomplishments, and a clear indication of future contributions and excellence. The average age of a World Fellow is 38;
- have an excellent command of the English language and be able to speak, read, and write in English fluently;
- be a citizen of and reside in a country other than the United States
Preference may be given to candidates who have not had extensive educational or work experience in the United States, particularly at Yale.
NOTE: The Yale World Fellows Program does not accept full-time students or full-time academics and does not award an academic diploma of any kind. The fellowship is designed for practitioners. If your primary occupation is student or scholar and you are interested in spending time at Yale, please directly contact the academic department that most closely aligns with your interests.
Fellowship Grants
Yale World Fellows do not pay tuition. For full participation in the Yale World Fellows Program for its duration, Yale provides Fellows with a travel allowance, housing, healthcare, and a stipend of $32,500 to cover living expenses. In addition, Yale pays for all costs associated with the educational and extracurricular aspects of the Program.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the program website. See link below.
A complete application consists of:
- The online application form (personal information, employment history, and educational background)
- A résumé/CV
- Two essays (500 word maximum each)
Essay 1: Describe your recent work history and its relevance, including the key responsibilities of your positions and your major accomplishments.
Essay 2: Discuss an issue of importance to you and your country, your community, or region and how you think progress on this issue could be achieved.
- Three confidential letters of reference. Letters should come from people familiar with your work and character. They may comment on your abilities, your potential for leadership, and your suitability for a Yale World Fellowship. You will have the ability to designate your recommenders who can submit a letter of recommendation for you online once you begin an application. Once you identify a recommender they will receive an e-mail providing instructions and access information.
Please note that there is no application fee for applying to the Yale World Fellows Program.
Important Dates
May 2011: The online application and nomination systems go live for 2012 applicants to the Yale World Fellows Program.
Summer and fall 2011: Applicants work on their application materials and request letters of recommendation via the online application.
December 9, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST: Deadline by which all application materials and letters of recommendation must be submitted online. No late applications will be accepted.
December 2011 – February 2012: All complete applications are read by the Yale World Fellows Program staff. The strongest applications are then reviewed by regional experts.
February 2012 – March 2012: Applicants selected as semi-finalists are interviewed by telephone/Skype.
Late March 2012 – April 2012: Final decisions will be sent to all applicants, both successful and unsuccessful, via email by the end of April 2012. The Program cannot release the status of your application on an individual basis before this time.
Mid-August 2012 – December 2012: World Fellows are in residence at Yale University for the Fall 2012 semester.
If you have any questions, visit the FAQ page by clicking here.
If your question is not answered there, email [email protected]
For more information, and to apply online, visit the program website by clicking here.