Selection Criteria
The Yale World Fellows Program seeks applications from early mid-career emerging leaders who have distinguished themselves within their own professions, regions, countries, or at an international level. Successful applicants uniformly possess the extraordinary qualities of mind and character that strong leadership requires. Candidates for the Fellowship must demonstrate themselves to be driving forces for action or effective catalysts of change. In significant ways and in significant arenas, each must show promise of a career trajectory of increasing responsibility and impact. World Fellows are selected from a wide range of fields and disciplines including government, business, nongovernmental organizations, religion, the military, media, and the arts.
Criteria for selection include:
- An established record of extraordinary achievement and integrity;
- Commitment to engagement in crucial issues and to making a difference at the local, national, or global level;
- Promise of a future career of leadership and notable impact;
- Special capacity for critical, creative, entrepreneurial, and strategic thinking;
- Likelihood to benefit from participation in the Program and to contribute to global understanding at Yale;
- Commitment to a rigorous program of activities, to full-time residence at Yale for the duration of the program, and to mentoring students and speaking frequently on campus.
Eligibility and Selection Process
Nominations and applications for the Yale World Fellows Program are solicited from around the world. A Fellowship candidate must be a citizen of and reside in a country other than the United States. Preference may be given to candidates who have not had extensive educational or work experience in the United States, particularly at Yale. Candidates should be in the early mid-career stage, roughly five to fifteen years into their professional lives, with demonstrated work accomplishments, and a clear indication of future contributions and excellence. A reasonable command of English is essential. Fellowship candidates must complete an online application and submit at least three confidential letters of recommendation. Regional panels review semifinalist candidates, and a final selection committee aims to assemble a Fellowship group that is diverse, geographically balanced, and representative of a wide range of professions, talents, and perspectives.
Online Nomination
Nominations for the 2009 Program are accepted beginning in May 2008 and must be postmarked or electronically submitted by no later than December 31, 2008. Click here to submit an online nomination.
Online Application
Applications to the 2009 Program will be accepted beginning in July 2008 and must be electronically submitted by no later than January 9, 2009. The 2009 Yale World Fellows will be selected in April 2009 and will begin their program in August 2009. Click here to access the online application system.
FAQs
Do I have to be nominated, or can I just apply?
You do not have to be nominated in order to be a candidate for the Program. It is possible to self-apply. Or, you could ask someone from your community to nominate you. The Program gives no preference to either nominated or self-apply applicants.
Can my nominator count as one of the required letters of recommendation?
Yes. You will have the opportunity to indicate whether you would like to use your nomination letter as one of the three references in Part III (Referral Letters section) of the online application.
How do I change one of my recommenders?
In Part III of the online application (Referral Letters section), you have the ability to replace one referee with another. Simply follow the instructions contained on the page in this section.
What happens after I submit my application?
Applications are reviewed in a three-tiered process that begins with a selection committee of Yale World Fellows Program staff. A smaller group of the very best applications is sent to a second level of selection. These applications are reviewed by Regional Panels, comprised of experts on the various geographic regions of the world. At this time, the semi-finalists are interviewed by telephone. The Regional Panels select an even smaller number of these semi-finalists to be forwarded to the final round of selection. The final selection is made by a committee composed of faculty and staff.
When will I learn of the final decision on my application?
Final decisions are sent via email in April 2009. Please be sure to keep the World Fellows Program up to date with your most recent email contact information.
If I’m selected, what are the time demands of the Program?
The 2009 World Fellows Program will begin in mid-August 2009 and run through mid-December 2009. It should be understood that the Program is quite demanding of the Fellows’ time. In addition to time during the days devoted to the World Fellows Seminar, World Fellows presentations, and University classes, several evenings of each week will be scheduled with presentations, speakers and the World Fellows weekly dinner, as well as some travel for several days at a time over the course of the Fellowship.
If I’m selected, can I bring my family with me?
Families may join World Fellows in New Haven. Those families who will be joining the World Fellow for the duration of the Program will be provided with housing and a travel allowance for their stay. However, it is important to note that, as stated above, the World Fellow’s schedule is very full, so another parent or guardian will be necessary for the care of children.
If I’m not selected this year, can I reapply?
There is no restriction on reapplication to the Program, although your chances of being selected are not increased by repeated applications.
