Applications are invited for Western Union Foundation Fellowship 2023. The last date of application is 18 August 2023.
About the Fellowship
The Western Union Foundation Fellowship is a venture and leadership accelerator program for entrepreneurs and community leaders from and working with highly marginalized, refugee, and forcibly displaced communities around the globe.
This virtual and global program is designed to equip these next-generation entrepreneurs and leaders with the skills and experience to increase access to economic opportunity, build valuable networks and resources, and transform their communities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Who You Are: You are an entrepreneur or community leader from and working with highly marginalized, refugee, and forcibly displaced communities around the globe.
- What You Do: You are leading an early-stage social impact venture or community initiative with a proven track record of impact, entrepreneurship, and leadership in their community. We define early-stage ventures as those that have a working prototype/ MVP product or service with active customers or beneficiaries and demonstrated impact and revenue. Ideally, you are exploring your product-market fit.
- Where You Create Impact: Applicants from or are working in the following countries will be given priority: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, India, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Uganda, United Kingdom (includes Scotland, Whales and Northern Ireland), United States
- What You Are Looking For: You are looking for expert-led entrepreneurial training, access to funding opportunities, and a vast network of mentorship to accelerate your leadership skills and venture impact.
Application Process
- Applications Submitted: Complete the online application: The online application contains 4 short essay questions and should take about 45 minutes to complete. The final deadline to submit your application is August 18th, 2023.
- First Round Review: Our admissions team will review applications on a rolling basis starting July 7th, 2023. We review applications in two batches on a rolling basis and encourage you to submit your application early. Applications received prior to July 28th will be reviewed by August 14th. Applications received after July 28th will be reviewed by September 7th.
- Interview: Qualified applicants will be invited to a 20-minute Zoom interview. Interviews will begin July 10th, 2023.
- Admissions Committee Review: The strongest applicant profiles will be shared with our external admissions committee for final review.
- Acceptances Announced: The admissions team will begin sending out final acceptances and fellowship awards in mid August. Applications received prior to July 28th will receive their final admissions decision by August 14th. Applications received after July 28th will receive their final admissions decisions by September 7th.
- Fellows Confirm & Enroll: The last step to finalize enrollment is to review and sign Watson’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Duration
October 2nd, 2023 to February 15th, 2024 (16-weeks of programming with a 2-week break in December).
Funding
$45,000 in seed funding will be distributed among select Western Union Foundation Fellows based on progress and impact throughout the Fellowship.
FAQs
How selective is this program?
We receive a high volume of applications each year and have a 3% selectivity rate for this program.
Can I apply if my country is not listed under the priority countries?
Yes. While a preference will be given to those who create impact in the listed countries, we will consider all strong applications from entrepreneurs working to support refugee, migrant, and displaced persons populations.
What do the in-person components entail?
Fellows facilitate a Basecamp event in their communities during their time in the program. They will also the option to have meet ups with other program Fellows in their locations.
