by Ashoka: Innovators for the Public · Not applicable (Independent Professional Fellowship)
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
💛 Living stipend and professional support🟩 Active🎓 Professional / Post-Academic🌍 Global (Operating in 90+ countries)📌 Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship
Lifetime membership (Stipend typically lasts 3 years)
Deadline
Rolling (Applications and nominations are accepted year-round)
Level
Professional / Post-Academic
Acceptance
Less than 1% of nominees are typically elected
Difficulty
Extremely High
Quick Summary
Aimed at social entrepreneurs / change-makers (not restricted to students), Ashoka Fellowship is a merit-based scholarship for study in Global (Operating in 90+ countries). The award covers A financial stipend for an initial three-year period, personalized professional consulting, access to a global network of social innovators, and a lifelong platform for social impact. and is open to professional / post-academic students studying social innovation, civic engagement, environmental sustainability, health, human rights, economic development, education. The scholarship runs for lifetime membership (stipend typically lasts 3 years). Eligibility is generally based on candidates must meet five criteria: A New Idea, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Quality, Social Impact, and Ethical Fiber. Must be the founder/co-founder of the initiative. The application deadline is Rolling (Applications and nominations are accepted year-round), with an acceptance rate of approximately Less than 1% of nominees are typically elected. Students can compare this opportunity against similar scholarships below to find the best fit for their profile.
✨ Should I Apply for Ashoka Fellowship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
60%
Eligibility Match
4%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
6/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Low (Highly competitive global selection)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Varies by country and cost of living
⏳
Duration
Lifetime membership (Stipend typically lasts 3 years)
📅
Deadline
Rolling (Applications and nominations are accepted year-round)
🏥
Fields
Social Innovation, Civic Engagement, Environmental Sustainability, Health, Human Rights, Economic Development, Education
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 100 to 150 new Fellows globally per year
🌏
Study Country
Global (Operating in 90+ countries)
🏛️
Provider
Ashoka: Innovators for the Public
📊
Acceptance
Less than 1% of nominees are typically elected
The Ashoka Fellowship is a prestigious global program that identifies and supports leading social entrepreneurs who have innovative solutions to social problems and the potential to change patterns across society.
👥 Who Should Apply
Candidates must meet five criteria: A New Idea, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Quality, Social Impact, and Ethical Fiber. Must be the founder/co-founder of the initiative.
🏛️ Host University
Not applicable (Independent Professional Fellowship)
🏥 Fields of Study
Social Innovation, Civic Engagement, Environmental Sustainability, Health, Human Rights, Economic Development, Education
✨ Key Benefits
A financial stipend for an initial three-year period, personalized professional consulting, access to a global network of social innovators, and a lifelong platform for social impact.
🎯 Target Students
Social Entrepreneurs / Change-makers (Not restricted to students)
🏷 Tags
Social EntrepreneurshipInnovationLeadershipGlobal ImpactSystem Change
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Thousands of nominations globally
Applicants Last Year
Approximately 3,800+ total Fellows in the network history
Winners
Less than 1% of nominees are typically elected
Acceptance Rate
Low (Highly competitive global selection)
Competition Level
Win Probability
4%
Match Score
60%
Competition
95%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
No
Living Stipend
Yes (Tailored to the fellow's specific financial needs for a 3-year period)
Total Award
Varies by country and cost of living
✈️ Travel: Varies (Provided for Ashoka-organized global summits and networking events)🏠 Accommodation: No (Stipend is intended to cover general living costs)💊 Health Insurance: Varies (Depends on local country office policy)🔄 Renewable: No (Stipend is a fixed term, but Fellowship status is for life)💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
No
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes (Tailored to the fellow's specific financial needs for a 3-year period)
🏡 Accommodation
No (Stipend is intended to cover general living costs)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Varies (Provided for Ashoka-organized global summits and networking events)
💊 Health Insurance
Varies (Depends on local country office policy)
🎁 Other Benefits
Access to global network of peers, strategic mentorship, legal support through Lex Mundi, media exposure, and lifelong community membership.
🔄 Renewable
No (Stipend is a fixed term, but Fellowship status is for life)
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not applicable
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Social entrepreneurs with a new, system-changing idea and a proven track record of impact.
🎓 Academic Level
Professional / Post-Academic
📊 Minimum GPA
Not applicable
🗣️ English Requirement
Varies (Local languages are accepted in regional offices, though English helps for global networking)
🍢 Age Limit
None (Focus is on the stage of the social venture, not age)
💼 Work Experience
Extensive experience leading a social venture to a stage of demonstrated impact
🏆 Leadership
Very High (Must be the primary visionary and leader of the organization)
💰 Financial Need
Considered (Stipend is based on the individual's need to work on their venture full-time)
🎯 Target Students
Social Entrepreneurs / Change-makers (Not restricted to students)
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Detailed project description and personal narrative)
Rec Letters
Yes (Requires nominations and references from experts in the field)
Interview
Yes (Rigorous multi-stage interview process including local and international panels)
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Requires nominations and references from experts in the field) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Varies (Local languages are accepted in regional offices, though English helps for global networking)
Interview: Yes (Rigorous multi-stage interview process including local and international panels)
Min GPA: Not applicable
📋 Application Process
Focus on 'system change'—show how your idea fundamentally alters how a field operates rather than just serving a population. Emphasize your entrepreneurial journey.
💡 Insider Tip: Be prepared to demonstrate that your venture is your life's primary focus and that you have the ethical fiber to lead a global movement.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Ongoing
⏰ Deadline
Rolling (Applications and nominations are accepted year-round)
🎤 Interview
Yes (Rigorous multi-stage interview process including local and international panels)
🎓 Study Starts
Upon election into the Fellowship
Ongoing
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Rolling (Applications and nominations are accepted year-round)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes (Rigorous multi-stage interview process including local and international panels)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Upon election into the Fellowship
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
New Idea, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Quality, Social Impact, Ethical Fiber.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Ashoka FellowshipCurrent
Global (Operating in 90+ countries)
Living stipend and professional support
Professional / Post-Academic
—
🇪🇸 University of Barcelona International Master's Grants (Atracción de Talento)
Candidates must meet five criteria: A New Idea, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Quality, Social Impact, and Ethical Fiber. Must be the founder/co-founder of the initiative.
This scholarship covers: A financial stipend for an initial three-year period, personalized professional consulting, access to a global network of social innovators, and a lifelong platform for social impact.. Coverage may vary — check the official website for exact details.
The deadline is Rolling (Applications and nominations are accepted year-round). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Low (Highly competitive global selection). Acceptance rate: Less than 1% of nominees are typically elected. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No (Stipend is a fixed term, but Fellowship status is for life)
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Varies (Local languages are accepted in regional offices, though English helps for global networking), Yes (Requires nominations and references from experts in the field) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.