Call for Proposals: Flagship Fellowship Program

This transformative 16-week journey begins with an Immersive experience in Boulder, Colorado, followed by virtual programming that keeps you deeply engaged with like-minded peers as you strengthen your leadership and scale your impact.

Benefits

• Pitch Development & Professional Recording
  • 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.
• 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 who supports your venture’s growth.
• Community & Network Expansion
  • 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.
• 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.

Costs Covered

• Watson Institute covers the cost of accommodations, program-related transportation, and most meals.
• Fellows are responsible for flights and transportation to and from Boulder for the in-person Immersive.
• Outside of travel, there is no cost associated with this Fellowship program – it is fully funded for all accepted Fellows.

Eligibility Criteria

• Entrepreneur Profile
  • You are an entrepreneur or community leader dedicated to creating impact through innovative solutions. You have a strong connection to your community and a track record of creating positive change.
• 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’re now ready to scale your impact with the support of dedicated mentorship and resources.
• Location & Eligibility
  • Applicants must be 18 years or older and located in and/or creating impact in any geographical location with a preference for applicants from the USA, East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan), Brazil, and China.
• The Flagship Fellowship seeks exceptional entrepreneurs and community leaders who:
  • Have reached the Problem-Solution or Product-Market Fit stage with their ventures
  • Demonstrate a proven history of impact and leadership within their communities
  • Have successfully raised funding through grants, investments, donations, or other means
  • May lead a team of up to ten full-time team members

For more information, visit Watson Institute.