Have you built a solution to a social problem and are ready to take it further?
The Acumen Fellowship 2027 is a leadership-development opportunity for social entrepreneurs, founders, and experienced leaders working to address poverty and create lasting social change. Through practical leadership training, peer learning, and a global network of changemakers, the fellowship helps participants strengthen their organisations and expand their impact.
For the 2027 cycle, applications are available across three regional cohorts: India, the United Kingdom, and Southeast Asia. Each cohort has its own deadline, schedule, and regional eligibility requirements.
Choose your cohort carefully—the deadline for each region is different.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: Leadership Fellowship
- Host Organization: Acumen Academy
- Program Year: 2027
- Available Cohorts: India, United Kingdom, and Southeast Asia
- Location: Region-specific; virtual learning and in-person program activities
- Mode: Hybrid, with virtual learning and cohort-specific in-person activities
- Duration: 7 months for India, approximately 9 months for the UK, and 8 months for Southeast Asia
- Minimum Age: Over 18 years
- Minimum Work Experience: At least 5 years
- Minimum Degree Required: No specific academic qualification required
- Nationality/Regional Eligibility: India, United Kingdom, and Southeast Asia
- Target Applicants: Social entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, senior decision-makers, and leaders of organisations addressing poverty
- Stipend/Salary: No personal stipend or salary specified on the official cohort pages
- Financial Support: Program-related expenses and travel arrangements vary by cohort; check the relevant official page for the exact coverage
- Application Fee: None
- India Cohort Deadline: October 31, 2026
- United Kingdom Cohort Deadline: November 3, 2026
- Southeast Asia Cohort Deadline: December 6, 2026
What Is the Acumen Fellowship?
The Acumen Fellowship is a leadership program for people who are already working on solutions to poverty and want to scale their impact.
Building a successful organisation is only one part of the challenge. As an initiative grows, leaders must make difficult decisions, manage competing priorities, build partnerships, and maintain their mission while reaching more people.
The fellowship focuses on developing these leadership capabilities. Participants learn alongside peers who are tackling complex social challenges in their own communities and sectors.
After completing the program, fellows can join Acumen’s Foundry community, a network of social innovators and leaders who continue learning, collaborating, and working towards a more equitable world.
Choose Your Acumen Fellowship Cohort
1. India Acumen Fellowship 2027
Application deadline: October 31, 2026
The India cohort is designed for social entrepreneurs and senior decision-makers who have developed a working solution to a social problem and want to reach more people across India.
- Duration: March–October 2027
- Length: 7 months
- Selection Conference: January 15–16, 2027, virtually
- Who it suits: Leaders with demonstrated impact, entrepreneurial execution, and a clear plan for growth
- Regional requirement: Work should directly impact India; residency or a concrete connection to the region is expected.
2. United Kingdom Acumen Fellowship 2027
Application deadline: November 3, 2026
The UK cohort brings together social entrepreneurs and senior leaders working to address poverty and inequality across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The program supports leaders seeking to strengthen their organisations, improve their leadership practice, and create meaningful change in areas such as education, employment, healthcare, and food systems.
- Duration: February–October 2027
- Length: Approximately 9 months
- Selection Festival: January 14–15, 2027, virtually
- Who it suits: Founders, CEOs, senior leaders, and social intrapreneurs with an established record of impact
- Regional requirement: Applicants should be residents of the UK or demonstrate a concrete connection to the region.
3. Southeast Asia Acumen Fellowship 2027
Application deadline: December 6, 2026
The Southeast Asia cohort is for social entrepreneurs who have already demonstrated that their solution works and are ready to expand its reach.
The program focuses on leadership, navigating organisational growth, and building solutions that address poverty while remaining grounded in the needs of the communities being served.
- Application window: October 5–December 6, 2026
- Duration: April–approximately November 2027
- Length: 8 months
- Selection Conference: February 27–28, 2027, virtually
- Who it suits: Social entrepreneurs and senior decision-makers with at least five years of work experience and demonstrated social impact
- Regional requirement: Work should directly impact Southeast Asia, including countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and others listed by Acumen.
What Will You Gain from the Fellowship?
Selected participants can develop the skills and relationships needed to take their social-impact work further.
- Leadership development: Learn to navigate uncertainty, make difficult decisions, and lead through organisational change.
- Scaling strategies: Understand how to grow an initiative without losing sight of its mission and the communities it serves.
- Peer learning: Exchange experiences with leaders who face similar challenges in their own organisations.
- Communication and partnerships: Strengthen your ability to explain your work, engage stakeholders, and build meaningful partnerships.
- A global community: Connect with other social innovators through Acumen’s Foundry network.
- Practical learning: Apply leadership concepts to real challenges within your organisation.
Is the Acumen Fellowship Fully Funded?
The Acumen Fellowship is primarily a leadership-development program, not a conventional scholarship or salaried fellowship.
The official pages do not specify a personal monthly stipend. Program-related expense coverage can differ by regional cohort, so applicants should review the relevant cohort’s official information to understand which accommodation, meals, travel, and other costs are covered.
Do not assume that all personal travel or living expenses are reimbursed.
Who Can Apply?
Although the regional cohorts have different program schedules and contexts, the official eligibility guidance generally looks for applicants who meet the following criteria:
- Age: Over 18 years old.
- Work experience: At least five years of professional experience.
- Leadership role: A social entrepreneur, founder, senior decision-maker, or leader with meaningful influence over an organisation or initiative.
- Demonstrated impact: Evidence that your work is addressing poverty or a related social challenge.
- Readiness to grow: A working model, evidence of progress, and the potential to reach more people or influence wider systems.
- Regional connection: Your work must directly impact the region for which you apply. Residency is generally expected, although exceptions may be considered for applicants with a concrete connection to that region.
- English proficiency: Applicants must be able to participate in English-language sessions and training.
- Availability: You must be able to participate throughout the fellowship.
Academic qualifications: There is no specific degree requirement stated in the general eligibility guidance.
Previous Acumen Fellows: People who have already participated in an Acumen Fellowship are not eligible to participate in another regional cohort.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection. Acumen also considers the applicant’s track record, leadership, social impact, and readiness for the program.
How to Apply
- Choose your regional cohort. Select India, the UK, or Southeast Asia according to where your work has a direct impact.
- Read the official applicant toolkit. Review the eligibility rules, application questions, and program commitments.
- Prepare your application. Explain the social problem you are addressing, your organisation’s work, the impact achieved so far, and your plans for growth.
- Submit before the relevant deadline. Use the official application link for your selected region.
- Prepare for selection. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a virtual selection conference or festival, depending on the cohort.
Application Deadlines at a Glance
- India: October 31, 2026 — Official application
- United Kingdom: November 3, 2026 — Official application
- Southeast Asia: December 6, 2026 — Official application
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