Enlight Fellowship

The Enlight Fellowship, backed by the Enlight Foundation and delivered in partnership with the Watson Institute, offers a fully-funded programme in entrepreneurial and leadership development. It targets emerging leaders who are building solutions for youth mental wellbeing on a global scale, with a focus on equipping them to tackle pressing challenges in this field.

The initiative brings together expert-led training, guidance from experienced speakers and facilitators, personalised mentorship, and extensive coaching. It is structured around the principle that lasting change emerges from strong networks and ongoing learning. Participants gain practical tools, strategic insights, and access to a worldwide community of peers and supporters, helping them expand their ventures and deepen their local impact.

Emphasis is placed on real-world application, connecting fellows to a supportive ecosystem that accelerates both their personal growth and the reach of their initiatives. Through this immersive experience, participants develop the leadership skills and operational capacity needed to navigate social entrepreneurship in the mental health space.

• Complete the online application, which generally requires about 30 minutes. To be considered early, submit by the priority deadline of July 5, 2026. Applications are then assessed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled, so submitting sooner is strongly advised.
• Application Review: The Admissions Committee assesses every submission. It seeks entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, strong potential for scalable ventures, and meaningful impact in youth mental wellbeing. Those who apply by the priority deadline receive preference.
• Interview: Candidates who advance past the initial review are invited to a 20-minute Zoom interview. During this session, they discuss their entrepreneurial background, the growth vision for their venture, and how their objectives align with the Enlight Fellowship's goals and resources.
• Final Selection & Enrollment: Final acceptance decisions are announced by July 20, 2026. Successful applicants must confirm their enrollment within a set period to reserve their place. The fellowship starts on August 17, 2026.

The Enlight Fellowship uses a multi-stage, competitive selection process. An Admissions Committee, made up of experts from the Watson Institute and the wider entrepreneurial community, first reviews all online applications. Candidates are judged on the originality of their solutions, the scalability of their ventures, and their potential to make a meaningful difference in youth mental wellbeing. The clarity of their vision and their dedication to the programme's aims are also given particular weight.

Those who advance are invited to a 20-minute interview on Zoom. In this session, applicants outline their entrepreneurial path, describe their venture's growth plans, and discuss how the fellowship fits with their own professional and personal development. The final decision rests on a comprehensive review of the application, the interview, and how well the candidate aligns with the fellowship's goal of backing impactful leaders.