The Western Union Foundation Fellowship Program 2025 is a venture and leadership accelerator program for entrepreneurs and community leaders from marginalized, refugee, and forcibly displaced communities globally.
The fellowship is fully funded, virtual, and global, designed to equip the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders with knowledge, networks, and resources to enhance access to economic opportunities and transform their communities.
Scholarship Summary
- Host: Western Union | Watson Institute
- Category: Training | Fellowships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Reward: Full Sponsorship | $36,000 (seed funding) | No IELTS Required
- Deadline: July 1, 2025
Scholarship Details
The Western Union Foundation Fellowship 2025 offers selected participants a comprehensive roadmap to guide the growth and scalability of their social ventures or community initiatives.
The Western Union Foundation is a separate charitable organization supported by The Western Union Company, its employees, agents, consumers, and business partners. It is governed by a Board of Directors composed of senior Western Union executives globally.
With over 20 years of impact, the foundation invests in changing lives through entrepreneurship, leadership development, and community support.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Who You Are:
- An entrepreneur or community leader from or working with highly marginalized, refugee, or forcibly displaced communities globally.
- What You Do:
- Leading an early-stage social impact venture or community initiative with a proven track record of impact, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
- Ventures should have a working prototype/MVP, active customers or beneficiaries, and demonstrated impact and revenue.
- Should be exploring or refining product-market fit.
- Where You Create Impact:
- Applicants from or working in these countries will be prioritized:
- Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States.
- Applicants from or working in these countries will be prioritized:
- What You Are Looking For:
- Entrepreneurial training, access to funding, and mentorship to accelerate leadership skills and venture impact.
- What You Will Accomplish:
- Gain a growth roadmap with Watson Institute support.
- Facilitate an Impact Basecamp workshop in your community.
- Receive a stipend, playbook, and team support to deliver the Basecamp.
Scholarship Benefits
Participants will receive:
- Fully funded virtual program supported by Western Union
- Weekly virtual workshops (6-8 hours/week) with localized gatherings and events
- 2-week virtual Immersive program (20-25 hours/week)
- Comprehensive workshops covering:
- Foundations
- Data & Metrics
- Go-To-Market
- Funding
- Team Management
- Pitch
- Impact Series: Sessions with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and mentors
- Basecamp Workshops: 2+ day workshops in Fellows’ communities
- Summit: Culminating event with pitches to funders, leaders, and entrepreneurs
- Seed Funding: $36,000 in seed funding distributed among selected Fellows based on progress and impact
How To Apply (Step by Step)
- Visit the Western Union Foundation application page.
- Complete the online application (approx. 45 minutes).
- Submit your application by July 1st, 2025, for early consideration.
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until spots are filled.
- Application Review:
- The Admissions Committee will evaluate applicants based on scalability and impact potential.
- Early applicants receive priority consideration.
- Interview Stage:
- Selected candidates will be invited to a 20-minute Zoom interview to discuss their journey, venture vision, and Fellowship fit.
- Final Selection & Enrollment:
- Final decisions by July 25th, 2025.
- Accepted applicants must confirm participation.
- Program begins on August 25, 2025.
To begin the application process, click HERE
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