Enlight Fellowship is sponsored by Watson Institute (in partnership with Enlight). The Enlight Fellowship, powered by Watson Institute, is a fully-funded venture and leadership development program for impact-driven entrepreneurs and leaders.

## Supporting the most promising rising leaders creating solutions to youth mental wellbeing globally. Check eligibility requirements below ### The Enlight Fellowship, supported by the Enlight Foundation and powered by the Watson Institute, is a fully-funded entrepreneurial and leadership development program designed specifically for rising leaders creating solutions to youth mental wellbeing globally.

The Fellowship fosters cross-cultural collaboration and global impact through expert-led training, facilitators, speakers, mentors, and personalized coaching support. Fellows also become part of a long-term global community through regular community gatherings, alumni engagement, and peer connections. Fellows gain the tools, insights, and global networks needed to scale their impact and drive meaningful change in their communities.

The Fellowship kicks off with a week-long Immersive experience where Fellows collaborate closely with peers, build lasting connections, and lay the foundation for their growth. #### Leadership Workshops Participate in hands-on sessions focused on entrepreneurship, business acumen, and financial literacy skills led by expert practitioners who are successful entrepreneurs and or rising leader themselves.

#### Financial Tools & Resources Access practical financial tools, frameworks, and workshops designed to strengthen your venture’s financial foundation. Benefit from the expertise of practitioners and Watson Institute’s broader network of specialists supporting entrepreneurs at every stage.

#### Basecamps: Creating Lasting Impact Design and lead a community-focused 1-day workshop (Basecamp) for earlier-stage venture, with training and a stipend provided to support you in deepening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in your community. #### Pitch Training & virtual Summit Develop and refine a professional, compelling pitch through dedicated training sessions.

Present your venture progress and impact at the virtual Summit to community partners, mentors, potential investors, and Enlight Foundation team members. ## Experts You Will Learn From ### We recruit experts and entrepreneurs with the specific expertise needed to best serve you. They are brought on to share their insights, facilitate our workshops, and provide 1-on-1 guidance.

Preceptors from past Enlight Fellowship cohorts have included: ##### EdTech CEO | Chronic Absenteeism & Mobility Strategist | Advisor to Schools Ready for Change ##### Futurist | Facilitator | Speaker ##### Global Keynote Speaker | CEO, LiberationX Contracts | Facilitator and Trainer Improving Employee Engagement, Transforming Employee Wellbeing * **Program:** August 17 – December 18, 2026 * **In-Person Immersive:** Fellows will participate in one of two in-person Immersive experiences: * Week 1: 8/17–8/21 (Monday–Friday) * Week 2: 8/24–8/27 (Monday–Thursday) | Virtual * Week 1: 07/03–07/09 (Friday–Thursday) * Week 2: 8/24–8/27 (Monday–Thursday) | Virtual * **Regional In-Person Gatherings:** Networking and community events scheduled throughout the Fellowship in your region (dates TBD) * **Summit:** December 18, 2026 – Selected Fellows present their venture pitches to an engaged audience of entrepreneurs, community leaders, Enlight representatives, and peers ## Schedule & Weekly Time Commitment * **Weekly Workshops:** Fellows participate in virtual workshops each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

The cohort is divided into two groups, and Fellows will participate in one of the following time blocks: * 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM MT | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Hong Kong Time (next day) * **Weekly Time Commitment:** 8–10 hours per week, including workshops, community building events, optional mentorship sessions, Basecamp planning and implementation, and Summit preparations. ##### Eligibility: Is This Fellowship for Me?

## Here is who we are looking for You are a leader deeply committed to improving youth mental wellbeing. You are building a solution that addresses youth mental wellbeing challenges in China and/or globally, with a strong focus on creating meaningful, scalable impact. You bring an entrepreneurial spirit, a growth mindset, and a desire to grow as an effective leader.

Your business or organization has been operating for 1-5 years with fewer than 10 employees. You have engaged customers, measurable results, and have secured some funding through grants, investments, donations, or revenue, but you’re ready to grow to the next level.

You must be able to fully commit to the 16-week Fellowship, including the mandatory week-long In-person Immersive in Boulder, Colorado or Shanghai, China, as well as active participation throughout the program. You can attend all weekly virtual workshops held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, Fellows will participate in one of two groups, each with a designated start time: from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT or 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM MT.

We prioritize participants who are fully committed to active engagement throughout the entire program. The program’s success depends on building a strong community where all participants are enthusiastic about both learning and sharing their experiences with others. Fellows may be based anywhere in the world.

The cohort will include youth leaders focused on improving youth mental wellbeing in China as well as those addressing youth mental wellbeing challenges globally. #### What You Are Looking For: You are seeking expert-led entrepreneurial training, mentorship from facilitators and speakers with deep mental wellbeing expertise, a supportive peer community, and a strong network to help you grow as a leader and scale your venture’s impact.

Applicants must be 18 years or older. ### _“Throughout the Enlight Fellowship, I have experienced profound personal growth. I gained a deeper understanding of myself, learned to listen to my inner voice, and become more attentive to others.

The Fellowship has given me the courage and tools to pursue social innovation. ”_ 1. **Submit Your Application:** Candidates complete the online application in approximately 30 minutes.

Submit by the priority **deadline of July 5, 2026**, for early consideration. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. 2.

**Application Review:** Our Admissions Committee evaluates applications to identify innovative entrepreneurs with scalable ventures and strong potential for impact. Early applicants receive priority consideration. 3.

**Interview:** Selected candidates will be invited to a **20-minute Zoom interview** to share their entrepreneurial journey, discuss their venture’s vision for growth, and explore how the Fellowship aligns with their goals. 4. **Final Selection & Enrollment:** Final decisions will be announced by **July 20, 2026**.

Accepted applicants must confirm their enrollment to secure their spot. The program begins on **August 17, 2026. ** Jie Liu and Charles Losche, 2024 Flagship Fellowship Alumni ## Don’t take our word for it “In every course I experienced a peak moment.

I learned more about how to build an organization and how to think more logically and systematically. Each session brought new ideas and inspiration. ” Yan Bingrong, 2025 Alumna “Thank you for all your support, understanding, and flexibility.

This program is amazing and deserves to be recommended 100%. ” “The pitch training really inspired me to rethink how I present my own ideas. ” Tess Falor, PhD, is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Renegade Research, a patient-led research initiative accelerating studies on complex chronic conditions like Long COVID and ME/CFS.

Leveraging her aerospace engineering expertise and experience at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Tess designs coordinated, decentralized N-of-1 trials that empower patients to contribute to research through structured self-experiments.

Her team has supported 40 participants, raised $535,000, and engaged a community of 30,000+ patients, generating actionable insights that expand treatment knowledge and offer hope to millions affected by underfunded chronic illnesses. Yujia Zhu is the founder of FASSLING. AI, a fully AI-driven nonprofit platform providing free, 24/7 emotional and life coaching in over 95 languages.

Drawing on 12+ years in the humanitarian sector, Yujia combines AI, emotional intelligence, and public policy to make high-quality emotional support accessible globally. FASSLING has reached thousands of users across four continents, offering a safe, culturally attuned space for resilience-building, crisis prevention, and personal growth.

As a recognized social innovator, Yujia has authored 20+ publications, served on multiple boards, and been featured in Forbes, shaping the future of tech-for-good and humanitarian innovation. Chelsea Dade is the founder of Communicate For Health Justice (CFHJ), a DC-based advocacy and communications firm dismantling health inequities by equipping youth and marginalized communities with essential communication skills.

Since 2018, CFHJ has delivered 100+ workshops, trainings, and digital programs, reaching 1,500+ young people, community leaders, and organizations while building a following of over 1,000 across multiple platforms.

Chelsea has led CFHJ to secure over $22,000 in grants and in-kind support, including from the People’s Climate Innovation Center, Latino Economic Development Center, Fairfax County Government, and DC Public Health Association. Through strategic partnerships and innovative campaigns, CFHJ amplifies community voices, challenges inequitable narratives, and drives systemic change in health justice.

## Frequently Asked Questions ### What do the in-person components entail? Fellows will travel to either Boulder, Colorado, or Shanghai, China for a week-long in-person Immersive to build community and learn about key programmatic information. Fellows will facilitate a Basecamp event in their communities during their time in the program.

They will also have the option to have meet-ups with other program Fellows in their locations. ### What is the community development stipend? The community development stipend supports Fellows in organizing and facilitating Basecamps.

Basecamps are community events, fostering collaboration, and advancing initiatives that accelerate collective growth in the communities the Fellows are impacting. Whether hosting workshops, networking events, or collaborative projects, this stipend provides resources to engage your community, build connections, and drive meaningful impact. ### What is the application review timeline?

We understand the substantial interest in the program and strive to provide prompt responses. Decisions will be communicated by July 20, 2026. We appreciate your patience throughout this process.

### How does this program open doors to funding? Watson Institute connects Fellows to a robust network of potential investors, grantmakers, and partners dedicated to supporting ventures with impact. Through mentorship, pitch opportunities, and relationship-building events, Fellows gain access to introductions and resources that can accelerate their growth and sustainability.

### What is the long-term impact on Fellows and Alumni? After completing the program, Fellows join a vibrant community of changemakers with ongoing access to resources, learning opportunities, and peer support beyond the program. Alumni often report increased revenue, expanded networks, stronger leadership skills, and greater community impact as a result of their Watson Institute experience.

Alumni of Watson Institute’s Fellowships have raised over $190 million, created over 2,300 paid jobs, and impacted over 11 million people around the world through initiatives they have helped lead. 93% of Watson Institute alums are employed, continuing their education, or building a venture. 85% of Watson Institute Alumni use a skill they learned while in a Watson Institute-powered program up to 12 years later.

Watson Institute’s Alumni have been selected to Y Combinator, the Echoing Green Fellowship, and 11 have been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 lists. Alums continue their education at Harvard University, New York University, and Princeton University, among others. ### What if I’m not admitted?

If you are not admitted this cycle, we encourage you to stay engaged with Watson Institute through our newsletters, events, and future programs. Many Fellows apply multiple times and continue to develop their ventures with the resources and support we offer. We value your commitment and look forward to your future involvement.

Explore other Fellowships. **This program is fully-funded through the generous support of the Enlight Foundation. **