The SIEF offers a rare opportunity to step back from daily pressures, sharpen your leadership capacity, and engage with world-class faculty, mentors, and peers. It is designed to equip leaders with the tools, networks, and confidence to create lasting impact in complex environments.

The fellowship is open to individual candidates from any country working in the social sector (governments, NGOs, philanthropy, and education). This includes early- to mid-career professionals stepping into greater responsibility, as well as experienced leaders seeking to scale their impact. Employer sponsors, such as governments, NGOs, philanthropies, and education institutions may also nominate staff.

The fellowship is a one-year program that runs from July 2026 to June 2027. It combines online preparation, a two-week residential Leadership Institute at Cambridge ongoing mentorship, and virtual convenings.

The two-week Leadership Institute takes place at Harvard’s Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Ethics, with additional sessions at the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights at the Harvard Kennedy School.

The tuition of 4,000 USD covers all program components, including the in-person Leadership Institute, executive mentorship, virtual sessions, workshops, and convenings throughout the year.

Yes. Tuition can be paid in two installments: 2,000 USD due 30 days after selection, and 2,000 USD due by March 15, 2026.

Fellows are responsible for accommodation and meals during the in-person institute, as well as flights and visa costs.

Yes. Mountaintop provides step-by-step visa application guidelines, official invitation letters, interview preparation resources, and travel planning assistance. Fellows also receive a local guide with accommodation options, transportation details, and other useful city resources.

Many Fellows secure funding through employer sponsorship, CSR or foundation partners, or professional development funds. Some Fellows also invest personally.

Yes. The fellowship is structured for working professionals. With the exception of the two-week in-person institute in July, the rest of the program is designed to complement your ongoing professional responsibilities.

Each Fellow has access to one-to-one executive mentorship, along with Mentor Office Hours where they can connect with top business and social impact leaders for personalized guidance.

During the online preparation phase (February–June 2026), Fellows commit up to five hours per month. The in-person institute from July 9-23, 2026 is full-time for two weeks. Afterward, Fellows participate in monthly expert sessions, quarterly workshops, and a multi-day virtual retreat.

Each cohort is intentionally kept small (25 people or less) to ensure meaningful faculty engagement, depth of peer connection, and a highly personalized learning experience.

No. The fellowship is open to leaders from all countries.

Graduation is only the beginning. Fellows join Mountaintop’s global alumni network, gaining lifelong opportunities for collaboration, learning, and connection with peers, mentors, and partners.

Fellows leave with practical tools for systems change, stronger organizational capacity, and the confidence to lead with clarity in complex contexts. They also receive an executive certificate from Mountaintop and join a lifelong global network of leaders across more than 175 countries.

Applications close on December 14, 2025. Selection interviews take place from December 2025 to January 2026. The fellowship runs from July 2026 to June 2027.

If you have any further questions that are not answered here, please write to us at info@mountaintop.international.