Mentora Scholars Fellowship 2027

Applications are open for the Mentora Scholars Fellowship 2027, a fully funded leadership development opportunity designed for undergraduate students in the United States and Canada who are committed to personal growth, leadership and positive change in their communities. The programme is offered by the Mentora Foundation and is rooted in the research and teachings of Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa, longtime Columbia Business School faculty member and author of Inner Mastery, Outer Impact.

The Mentora Scholars Fellowship seeks to prepare a new generation of changemakers by helping participants develop greater clarity around their values, strengthen their character, build meaningful relationships and translate personal growth into positive action. The programme brings together a selective cohort of students who are interested in creating meaningful impact through their careers and communities.

The 2027 programme consists of two connected stages. From February to April 2027, Scholars participate in a virtual Core Curriculum focused on reading, reflection and community building. This is followed by a 12 day Residential Immersion from May 17 to May 28, 2027, at the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Participants must complete the virtual component to take part in the residential experience.

About the Fellowship

Mentora Scholars is a practice based, whole person leadership development programme. It encourages students to examine their inner development while also learning how to create meaningful external impact.

The residential component focuses on three central areas:

• Inner Mastery, including Purpose, Wisdom, Growth, Love and Self Realization

• Outer Impact, including practical actions for applying these core energies in important moments

• Changemaking, including translating personal development into meaningful action in the wider world

After completing the fellowship, Scholars become part of a lifelong community with opportunities to remain connected through Mentora initiatives, including potential opportunities to serve as Mentora Ambassadors or apply for the advanced Mentora Fellows programme.

Fellowship Benefits

• Full scholarship covering programme costs

• Room and board during the residential programme

• Virtual leadership development and guided reflection

• 12 day residential leadership experience in Nashville, Tennessee

• Peer relationships with a selective cohort of emerging changemakers

• Practice based personal and leadership development

• Opportunities to clarify personal values, purpose and beliefs

• Lifelong Mentora community after completion

• Potential opportunities to serve as a Mentora Ambassador

• Potential opportunity to apply for the advanced Mentora Fellows programme

Scholars are responsible for their own travel to and from the residential programme as well as incidental expenses.

Programme Structure

Virtual Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum takes place from February to April 2027. It includes reading, reflection and community building and serves as the foundation for the residential experience.

Completion of the Core Curriculum is mandatory. Students who do not complete this stage will not be invited to participate in the Residential Immersion.

Residential Immersion

The Residential Immersion takes place from May 17 to May 28, 2027, at the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 12 day experience provides an intensive cohort based environment where Scholars explore inner development, leadership principles, reflective practice and practical approaches to creating positive change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to current undergraduate students enrolled at colleges or universities in the United States or Canada

• Applicants who completed their undergraduate degree within the past year may also apply

• Graduating seniors are eligible to apply

• Applicants should be highly invested in their personal transformation and growth

• Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to excellence in a field of their choosing

• Applicants should be committed to creating positive change in the world

• Applicants should be ready to participate in a practice based, whole person development journey

• Applicants must be able to participate in the required virtual Core Curriculum

• Applicants must be able to participate in the Residential Immersion if selected

The programme is not affiliated with any single religion, and applicants do not need to follow a particular belief system to participate.

Required Application Information

• Personal and educational information requested through the online application

• Responses demonstrating personal growth and leadership interests

• Information about the applicant's commitment to positive change

• Information demonstrating readiness for a practice based development experience

• Any additional information requested through the official application form

There is no application fee for Mentora Scholars.

How to Apply

1. Review the official Mentora Scholars eligibility requirements and programme structure.
2. Confirm that you are currently an undergraduate student at a college or university in the United States or Canada, or that you completed your degree within the previous year.
3. Prepare the information required for the online application, including your educational background and responses concerning your growth, values, leadership and commitment to positive change.
4. Submit the application through the official Mentora Scholars application platform.
5. Apply by November 8, 2026 to receive early priority consideration, or by the final deadline of January 17, 2027.
6. If selected, complete the virtual Core Curriculum from February through April 2027.
7. Participate in the Residential Immersion from May 17 to May 28, 2027 in Nashville, Tennessee.