Bush Fellowship 2027 – Up to $150,000 for Leaders
The Bush Fellowship 2027 is a self-designed leadership programme that gives selected leaders time and resources to strengthen their capacity to lead. Up to 30 Fellows are selected each year, with each Fellow eligible to receive up to $150,000 for a leadership-development plan lasting up to two years. Applications are open until October 6, 2026, at noon Central Time.
Quick Overview
Programme: Bush Fellowship
Host Organization: Bush Foundation
Opportunity Type: Leadership Fellowship
Duration: Up to 2 years
Number of Fellows: Up to 30 each year
Funding: Up to $150,000
Application Status: Open
Deadline: October 6, 2026, at noon CT
About the Bush Fellowship 2027
The Bush Fellowship is a flexible, self-designed leadership programme. Fellows develop an individual plan based on the skills, experiences, relationships, knowledge, and opportunities they need to become stronger leaders.
The programme is intended for people who already have a track record of creating change and who can clearly explain how further leadership development will strengthen their ability to achieve a larger vision.
Bush Fellows may come from different sectors, including business, government, and nonprofit work.
Fellowship Funding
Each selected Bush Fellow may receive:
✓ Up to $150,000 to support a self-designed leadership plan
✓ Up to two years to complete the Fellowship plan
✓ Flexibility to determine how Fellowship resources support approved leadership-development goals
✓ Time and resources to pursue experiences that strengthen leadership capacity
The Fellowship is focused on investing in the individual leader rather than directly funding a business, organisation, or community programme.
Also read: Jean Monnet Fellowships 2027–2028 in Italy (€2,850 Monthly Grant)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants are eligible if they meet all of the following requirements:
• Be at least 24 years old at the application deadline.
• Be a resident of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or one of the 23 Native nations that share the same geography.
• Have lived continuously in the eligible region for at least one year before applying.
There are no specific citizenship requirements for the Bush Fellowship.
Applicants are not eligible if they previously received a Bush Fellowship, Bush Artist Fellowship, Bush Leadership Fellowship, Bush Medical Fellowship, or Enduring Vision Award.
Family members of current Bush Foundation staff or board members are also not eligible under the programme’s stated rules.
What the Bush Foundation Looks For
The selection criteria focus on three main areas.
Impact as a Leader
Applicants should demonstrate:
• A track record of creating impact and solving problems.
• Strong character and integrity.
• Inclusive and equitable leadership.
• Curiosity and willingness to keep learning.
• Openness to different perspectives and feedback.
Vision for Change
Applicants should have a clear vision for equitable, large-scale change in their community.
They should also explain how their own leadership role, experience, and connection to the community position them to help make that change happen.
Fellowship Plan
Applicants need clear leadership-development goals and a specific plan for using the Fellowship.
The plan should identify the skills, experiences, relationships, networks, knowledge, or opportunities the applicant wants to pursue.
The Bush Foundation looks for Fellowship plans that could significantly change the trajectory of an applicant’s leadership development.
Check: International Affairs Junior Fellowship 2027–2029
Application Process
The 2027 Bush Fellowship uses an online application.
Applicants should first review the eligibility criteria, selection criteria, and application questions. They can prepare their written responses before entering them into the online form.
The application asks candidates to explain areas including:
• Their leadership journey and track record of creating change.
• Their vision for large-scale equitable change.
• What will be required to make that vision happen.
• Their personal role and connection to the community.
• Their leadership-development goals.
• The specific Fellowship plan they want to pursue.
For the first application question, applicants may provide either a written response or use the application platform to submit a short video or audio response of up to two minutes.
Selection Process
Bush Foundation staff and board members, past Bush Fellows, and community leaders participate in selecting the Fellowship class.
The process includes:
• Review of submitted applications by Bush Fellow alumni.
• Selection of approximately 90 semifinalists.
• References for semifinalists.
• Reference and background checks for finalists.
• In-person interviews for finalists.
• Final selection by community reviewers from across the region.
Selected Fellows then participate in the Fellowship kick-off process.
Limits on Fellowship Funds
The Fellowship gives selected participants flexibility in developing their leadership plans, but the Bush Foundation lists several restrictions.
Fellowship funds cannot be:
• Directed to another person or organisation.
• Used to fund a business or programme.
• Used to pay off debt.
• Used for lobbying.
• Used for political contributions.
• Used for campaign-related expenses.
Additional restrictions apply to certain government and elected officials.
Explore: Leading Scholarship 2026 for One Young World Summit in South Africa
Important Dates
• September 22, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. CT: Applications opened
• October 6, 2026, at noon CT: Applications close
• December 1–4, 2026: Semifinalists notified
• March 10–15, 2027: Finalists notified
• April 15, 19, and 22, 2027: Finalist interviews
• May 19–21, 2027: Bush Fellowship retreat
• June 2027: 2027 Bush Fellows publicly announced
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2027 Bush Fellowship must be submitted by:
October 6, 2026, at noon Central Time
Applications are currently open.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application link below.
