Dalai Lama Fellows 2027

Dalai Lama Fellows is a global, non-sectarian leadership programme designed for emerging changemakers working to address challenges in their communities. The programme focuses on developing leadership rooted in wisdom, compassion, self-awareness and meaningful social engagement.

The fellowship is jointly stewarded by the University of Virginia Contemplative Sciences Center and the University of Colorado Boulder Renée Crown Wellness Institute.

For the 2027 cohort, Dalai Lama Fellows is seeking 15–20 changemakers from around the world. Fellows participate in the year-long Head, Heart, Hands curriculum while continuing to work on a social change or social innovation project.

Learning takes place through an online platform, individual reflection, one-to-one coaching, full-group learning calls and small-group sessions. Fellows are expected to dedicate approximately 12 hours each month to fellowship activities, in addition to the time they spend on their own projects.

The programme is structured so that Fellows can continue their studies, employment or other professional responsibilities during the fellowship year.

Dalai Lama Fellows is not restricted to students and does not require applicants to follow Buddhism or any particular religious tradition. It is an inclusive and non-sectarian programme.

Successful Fellows complete virtual onboarding in March 2027, begin the formal fellowship year in April 2027 and participate in the virtual opening Contemplative Leadership Assembly in May 2027. The formal fellowship concludes in March 2028, after which participants join the LifeLong Fellows global leadership and learning community.

• Be aged 20–36 as of 1 April 2027.
• Be fluent in written and spoken English.
• Be currently engaged in a social change project or have well-articulated plans for one.
• Remain meaningfully engaged with the project throughout the fellowship year.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the community and the issue the project seeks to address.
• Show an interest in learning and engaging in contemplative practices.
• Commit to participating in all dimensions of the fellowship programme.
• Be able to dedicate approximately 12 hours per month to fellowship activities, excluding work on their social change project.
• Attend the virtual Contemplative Leadership Assembly in May 2027.

• Access to the year-long Head, Heart, Hands online leadership curriculum.
• One-to-one coaching focused on personal development and social innovation leadership.
• Small-group coaching and learning opportunities.
• Monthly group learning and reflection activities.
• Development in areas including self-awareness, emotional intelligence, resilience, communication and systems thinking.
• Opportunities to learn and practise contemplative approaches to leadership.
• Engagement with an international community of social innovators and changemakers.
• Participation in the Contemplative Leadership Assembly.
• Lifelong affiliation with the LifeLong Fellows global learning community after completing the fellowship.

The 2027 application consists of five main components:

• Applicant background and overview.
• Short essay responses.
• Video submission.
• Resume/CV.
• Letter of recommendation.

Applicants should follow the instructions and word/time limits shown within the official application portal when preparing each component.

• Alignment between their development goals as a social innovator and what the fellowship offers.
• Genuine intention to learn new leadership practices and perspectives.
• Potential to strengthen self-awareness, emotional intelligence and resilience.
• Willingness to build compassionate connections with people across differences.
• Capacity to understand and navigate complex systems in their social innovation work.
• Depth of knowledge of the community they are working with.
• A well-researched understanding of the social issue being addressed.
• Strength and relevance of the proposed or existing social change project.
• Commitment and intention to engage fully with the fellowship.
• Alignment with the programme's approach to leadership and social innovation.

• Develop a more reflective and compassionate approach to leadership.
• Strengthen practical leadership skills while working on a real social challenge.
• Receive individual and group coaching throughout the fellowship.
• Connect with changemakers working across different communities and countries.
• Develop deeper understanding of systems thinking, emotional intelligence and community engagement.
• Apply fellowship learning directly to an existing or planned social innovation project.
• Join the LifeLong Fellows community after completing the programme.
• Continue your education or professional work while participating in the fellowship.