The Atlas Corps Fellowship is a 12-18 month Fellowship in the United States for the world’s top social change leaders. Fellows serve full-time at Host Organizations to develop leadership skills and learn effective practices through the Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab professional development series and networking opportunities with other Fellows. Participants in this prestigious fellowship receive health insurance, flight and visa costs, and a living stipend to cover basic expenses (food, local transportation, and shared housing).

Eligibility

• Two or more years of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• English proficiency (oral, writing, reading)
• Age 35 or younger
• Apply to serve in a country other than where applicants are from (U.S. citizens are not eligible for the U.S. Fellowship)
• Commitment to return to home country after the 12-18 month Fellowship
• Commitment to living on a basic stipend that only covers food, shared housing, and local transportation

Application

The application is a multi-step process. Atlas Corps Fellow Classes start four times a year: January, April, July, and October. To be considered for Fellowships beginning in July and October, they encourage applicants to submit Part 1 application no later than February 28. To be considered for Fellowships beginning in January or April, Atlas Corps encourage applicants to submit their Part 1 application no later than August 15.

How to apply :

1. Online Application

Part 1: Applicants will need to create a login  and they can save their responses so that they can return to the application at any time. In Part 1 of the application (known as the “short form”), applicants provide contact information and complete the initial eligibility test. If they pass the initial eligibility test, they’ll complete additional background questions and one short essay. NOTE: In order to sponsor Fellows to come to the United States for one year, Atlas Corps require detailed information about each applicant. Please answer each question honestly and thoroughly.

Part 2 (by invitation only): Atlas Corps will review Part 1 applications and invite eligible candidates to complete Part 2 of the application (known as the “long form”), which includes additional questions about applicants skills and interests and several short essay questions. Applicants will also be required to submit contact information for at least two references who know them in a professional capacity and will write a letter of recommendation about their skills and experiences as well as their potential for success as an Atlas Corps Fellow. Applicants will need to send their requests for letter of recommendation directly through the application system. Their recommenders will receive an email that asks for a recommendation. More detailed instructions can be found in the online application form.

2. Atlas Corps Review Process (by invitation only): Atlas Corps will review Part 2 applications and select top candidates to interview via Skype with the Atlas Corps Selection Board, including Atlas Corps staff and nonprofit sector, government, and business leaders from multiple countries.

3. Host Organization Review Process (by invitation only): Candidates who pass the Atlas Corps interview stage will be designated as Semi-Finalists, which means they are eligible to be reviewed by potential Host Organizations for placements based on their interests and skillset and the organization’s needs.

4. Host Organization Interview Process (by invitation only): Host Organizations invite Semi-Finalists that best match their positions to conduct Skype video interviews with them, moving on to the Finalist stage.

5. Selection and Visa Process: Host Organizations will make their final recommendations to Atlas Corps, and Atlas Corps will notify the selected candidates. After being selected, Fellows will go to the U.S. Embassy in their respective countries to apply for a J-1 visa. Atlas Corps will provide support in obtaining this visa.