Ashoka Fellowship — Fellowship

The Ashoka Fellowship is a lifelong peer network and support program run by Ashoka for leading social entrepreneurs. It selects people developing original, practical ideas capable of changing systems at national or broader regional scale.

Fellows continue advancing their own work while receiving support tailored to their needs and stage of development. Selection begins with a nomination or self-nomination and proceeds through local review, an independent second opinion, a panel, and Board review.

Benefits & funding

A tailored stipend for up to three years may be offered when needed so a Fellow can work full time on the idea.
Financial support is not guaranteed for every Fellow.
Fellows receive customized engagement opportunities, greater visibility, and access to a global peer community.
Membership and tailored support continue over the Fellow’s lifetime.

Eligibility

Applicants must be social entrepreneurs with an original idea that can change the pattern in a field.
Candidates are assessed for creativity, entrepreneurial quality, potential for nationwide or broader regional social impact, and ethical integrity.
The work should be beyond the idea stage, show positive impact, and be ready to scale nationally or internationally.
Candidates should work full time on the idea or be prepared to do so upon election.
Ashoka currently seeks nominations only when the primary country of social impact appears in the active-country list on the form; submissions for other listed countries may be held until Ashoka starts operating there.
Current representation of a political party, partisan use of the work, or membership in a party advocating violence, totalitarianism, or discrimination is disqualifying.
Ashoka also considers local connection and legal structure, but states that these additional considerations do not automatically reject a nomination.
No degree, age, gender, nationality, or quantified experience requirement is published on the pages reviewed.

Can you apply?

Open to all applicants

No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.

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Application process

1
Review the five selection criteria and the additional considerations.
2
Submit a nomination for a social entrepreneur, or submit a self-nomination, through Ashoka’s recommendation page.
3
If the nomination advances, the local Venture team reviews the innovation, meets the candidate, conducts a site visit, and consults field experts.
4
A senior Ashoka representative from another continent conducts an independent second-opinion review.
5
Three to four social and business entrepreneurs from the candidate’s country or region interview the candidate and decide by consensus whether to recommend election.
6
Ashoka’s Board of Directors makes the final selection decision.

Program timeline

Ongoing
Nominations and self-nominations are accepted through Ashoka’s recommendation route.
After nomination
The local Venture team conducts the first-opinion review.
If advanced
A second-opinion interview and a regional panel follow.
Final stage
Ashoka’s Board reviews the case and decides whether to elect the candidate.
After election
The Fellow enters a lifelong fellowship; a needs-based stipend may run for up to three years.