The Millennium Fellowship

Q: Who is eligible to apply for the Millennium Fellowship?

A: Ideal candidates are impact-driven professionals between the ages of 25 to 40 working in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The Millennium Fellowship is open to leaders from all countries. This program will be administered exclusively in English, and candidates must demonstrate fluency or advanced English proficiency.

Q: Are citizens of all countries eligible to apply for the Millennium Fellowship?

A: Yes. The Millennium Fellowship is open to leaders from all countries.

Q: Is there an age limit for the Millennium Fellowship?

A: The Millennium Fellowship is open to anyone who is 25 to 40 years old as of the application deadline.

Q: I am still a student. Am I eligible to apply for the Millennium Fellowship?

A: The Millennium Fellowship is open to anyone who is 25 to 40 years old as of the application deadline.

Q: Are government employees eligible to participate in the Millennium Fellowship?

A: Yes, government employees are eligible. They are responsible for complying with any stipulations for participation as required by their employers.

Q: What is the time commitment for the Millennium Fellowship?

A: The nine-month hybrid program will run from September until May of the following year. The program will include 90-minute bi-monthly virtual sessions along with a 10-day Study Tour during the Spring. Fellows should expect to commit 3-4 hours each month. Upon program completion, Fellows join the Millennium Fellowship alumni network and have access to opportunities for continued engagement with the Millennium Leadership Program and the Atlantic Council.

Q: What criteria will guide the selection process for applicants?

A: Candidates will be evaluated on the three pillars of the Millennium Leadership Program: leadership, community, and impact. They should demonstrate visionary, humble leadership; actively foster a collaborative, empathetic community; and showcase a track record of impact with ambitious, scalable goals.

Q: What are the required components of the application?

A: You will be asked to provide demographic information, employment details, responses to short essay questions, a resume, a biography, and a current headshot. Short-listed candidates will be invited for a virtual interview. 

Q: How much does the Millennium Fellowship cost, and what is included?

A: The Millennium Fellowship participant fee is a fixed amount based on your sector of employment. The fee is $3,000 for nonprofit and public sector members, and $15,000 for private sector members. These fees cover all virtual programming costs and on-the-ground expenses for the Study Tour. For the Study Tour, participants are responsible for their own international airfare, visa costs and logistics, and any incidentals incurred while traveling. 

Organizations also have the option to sponsor a rising leader through our Nomination pathway, which offers an elevated review process. Nominated candidates complete the same application and evaluation as all applicants, and are fast-tracked to the interview stage.  The Nomination fee is $30,000, which reflects the full cost of participation in the program. If your organization is interested in sponsoring a candidate, please email Millennium@AtlanticCouncil.org.  

Q: Can my organization nominate and sponsor a candidate for the Millennium Fellowship?

A: For organizations looking to invest in the development of an emerging leader from their team, our Nomination option offers an elevated review process. Nominated candidates complete the same application and evaluation process as all applicants, and are fast-tracked to the interview stage.  

The Nomination fee is $30,000, which reflects the full cost of participation in the program. Past nominators have included companies such as Goldman Sachs, Google, Meta, Bridgewater Associates, Airbus, and Mastercard. If your organization is interested in nominating and sponsoring a candidate, please email Millennium@AtlanticCouncil.org. 

Q: Will the Atlantic Council cover visa expenses for travel with the Millennium Fellowship?

A: No, Fellows are responsible for obtaining their own travel visas and covering all associated costs. While the Atlantic Council will provide documentation confirming participation in the Millennium Fellowship to support the visa application process, it will not cover any expenses related to this process.

Q: I can’t afford the program fees. How do I apply request financial assistance?

A:  The application includes an option to request program fee assistance and provide an explanation for your request. Assistance is limited and most often provided as a partial reduction to the program fee or through a payment plan. If you are selected as a Fellow and awarded fee assistance, you will complete additional paperwork before signing your offer letter.

Q: Who should I or my employer reach out to with further questions?

A: The Millennium Leadership Program team is happy to answer any questions which you can direct to Millennium@AtlanticCouncil.org.

Q: What is the Millennium Fellowship?

A: The Millennium Fellowship is MLP’s flagship hybrid leadership program, spanning nine months and combining both virtual and in-person components. Virtual programming includes leadership development, foreign policy masterclasses with renowned global leaders, and peer-to-peer learning. Throughout the Fellowship, Fellows receive tailored leadership trainings and in-depth diagnostics from Spencer Stuart, one of the world’s leading global executive search firms.

Fellows will gather for an in-person 10-day study tour, traveling to the frontlines of global challenges to explore local issues and global trends. During the tour, fellows network with local peers, participate in closed-door meetings with government officials, and deepen their understanding of local challenges by meeting with civil society leaders. These shared travel and learning experiences foster relationships that last a lifetime.

Q: Is the Millennium Fellowship a full-time job or paid position?

A: No, the Millennium Fellowship is a part-time professional development and networking opportunity, not a paid position. Fellows continue to hold their roles with their current employers and do not receive compensation from the Millennium Leadership Program.

Q: Does the Millennium Fellowship provide living expenses?

A: No, the Millennium Fellowship is not a full-time position and does not require an extended stay in any one location. Therefore, the Fellowship does not provide living expenses.

Q: What is the average cost of the program per fellow?

A: The actual cost of participation in the Millennium Fellowship is approximately $30,000 per fellow. However, Fellows pay program fees at a significantly reduced rate: $3,000 for those employed in the nonprofit, academic, or public sectors, and $15,000 for those employed in the private sector.

Q: Who funds the Millennium Fellowship?

A: The Millennium Fellowship draws its support from participant fees, corporate sponsors, and in-kind contributions.