Movement Leader Fellowship 2027: Leadership Programme for U.S.-Based Social Justice Leaders
Applications are open for the 2027 Movement Leader Fellowship (MLF), a leadership development programme for experienced social justice leaders who are committed to building long-term power and advancing social change. The fellowship is designed for established movement leaders who are actively leading campaigns, organizational interventions, or other significant areas of work.
The programme provides participants with opportunities for deep study, leadership development, peer learning, and strategic reflection. Applicants should generally have 10–15 years of experience in social justice movements and hold significant leadership responsibilities within a power-building organization.
The fellowship is specifically open to people based in the United States. The priority application deadline is September 21, 2026, while the final deadline is October 19, 2026.
What Is the Movement Leader Fellowship?
The Movement Leader Fellowship is designed to support experienced leaders who are navigating complex responsibilities within organizations working to build power and create social change.
The programme is particularly suited to leaders working in organizations that use organizing and community-based power building to achieve change. Ideal candidates are expected to be accountable to or connected with a base of members from historically oppressed communities.
Fellows should already be working full-time and have direct responsibility for a team, budget, campaign, or another substantial area of organizational work. They should also be actively leading or developing a strategic campaign, organizational intervention, or significant body of work that can be strengthened through the fellowship.
Who Is Eligible?
The fellowship is intended for established movement leaders rather than people at the beginning of their careers.
Applicants should generally demonstrate 10–15 years of experience in social justice movements, current full-time involvement in a power-building organization, and direct responsibility for a team, budget, campaign, or substantial area of work.
Candidates should also have experience managing complex leadership challenges, such as managing managers, influencing across an organization, or working with senior leadership.
A strong connection to historically oppressed communities is also important. The programme particularly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), women and nonbinary people, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people from low-income, working-class, and immigrant backgrounds.
Applicants must currently reside in or be professionally based in the United States.
Leadership and Power-Building Focus
A central focus of the fellowship is understanding and building power.
Applicants will be asked to reflect on how they understand power and the questions they are currently exploring around power building. They must also describe a strategic campaign they are currently leading or shaping.
This includes explaining who they are organizing with, what they are trying to achieve, the challenges they are facing, and the political, organizational, or personal risks involved.
The fellowship therefore provides an opportunity for participants to connect their existing leadership responsibilities with deeper learning and strategic development.
Fellowship Application Essays
Applicants will complete four short-answer essays, with each response limited to 500 words.
The application covers four major areas: experience and commitment, strategy, power, and vision.
Candidates will need to explain how their personal or professional experiences shaped their commitment to social justice. They will also describe a current strategic campaign, discuss their understanding of power, and present their 10-year vision for social change.
Applicants should therefore prepare clear examples from their current leadership and organizing work before beginning the application.
Fellowship Commitments and Costs
Selected fellows must be prepared to participate fully in the programme.
One requirement is completion of a graduate-level academic course delivered virtually through the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies. Classes will meet once per week during each semester, with the exact schedule to be announced.
Fellows must also attend two immersive week-long retreats scheduled for:
- March 21–26, 2027
- July 18–23, 2027
Flights, transportation, meals, and lodging for these retreats will be covered.
Each fellow is expected to contribute $500 toward fellowship costs, including tuition, travel, and coaching. Participating organizations are also expected to make contributions based on their annual budgets.
A limited number of scholarships are available for individuals or organizations experiencing financial difficulties. The admissions process does not assess applicants based on their ability to pay.
Application Requirements
Applicants should prepare a current resume, preferably in PDF format, as well as information about their organization, current role, leadership responsibilities, experience, and organizational budget.
Applicants must also identify a supervisor or board member who can provide a letter of support. The letter is recommended during the initial application stage and becomes required if the candidate advances to the interview stage.
Application Deadline
The priority deadline is September 21, 2026, while the final deadline is October 19, 2026.
U.S.-based social justice leaders who want priority consideration should submit their applications by September 21.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants should complete the 2027 Movement Leader Fellowship application and provide all requested professional and organizational information. Candidates should also prepare their four essays, resume, and supporting information before submitting the application.
This fellowship is particularly relevant to experienced leaders seeking to strengthen their strategic thinking, leadership practice, organizing work, and long-term approach to building power.
Programme: Movement Leader Fellowship 2027
Eligibility: U.S.-based social justice leaders
Experience: Approximately 10–15 years in social justice movements
Priority Deadline: September 21, 2026
Final Deadline: October 19, 2026
Retreats: March 21–26 and July 18–23, 2027
Contribution: $500 per fellow
Academic Component: Graduate-level virtual course
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
