The 2027 Bush Fellowship is now accepting applications from visionary leaders seeking to strengthen their leadership capacity and create lasting, equitable change. Offered by the Bush Foundation, this prestigious self-designed fellowship provides up to $150,000 over two years, allowing fellows to invest in their personal and professional growth rather than funding a specific project or business.
Each year, up to 30 Bush Fellows are selected from a highly competitive applicant pool to pursue transformative learning experiences that enhance their ability to lead meaningful change across communities, organizations and systems.
Fellowship Overview
- Host: Bush Foundation
- Programme: 2027 Bush Fellowship
- Funding: Up to $150,000
- Duration: Up to 2 years
- Number of Fellows: Up to 30 annually
- Application Deadline: 6 October 2026 (12:00 p.m. Central Time)
- Location: Flexible and self-designed (including domestic and international learning experiences)
Unlike traditional fellowships, the Bush Fellowship is centered on the individual leader. Fellows create their own development plan based on the skills, experiences and knowledge they need to become more effective change-makers.
What Makes the Bush Fellowship Unique?
The Bush Fellowship is designed for leaders who already have a demonstrated record of creating impact and who recognize that investing in themselves will ultimately strengthen their communities.
Rather than financing a community project, startup or nonprofit initiative, the fellowship supports activities that build the fellow’s leadership capacity. This flexibility allows recipients to pursue ambitious learning opportunities tailored to their own goals.
Examples of fellowship plans include:
- Participating in prestigious policy or leadership programmes
- Learning from international communities addressing similar challenges
- Taking a professional sabbatical to focus on leadership development
- Building specialized skills needed to tackle complex social issues
The Bush Foundation encourages applicants to think big and design a plan capable of transforming the trajectory of their leadership journey.
Funding and Benefits
Selected Bush Fellows receive funding of up to $150,000 to implement their self-designed leadership plan over a maximum period of two years.
The fellowship provides resources that may support:
- Professional learning and executive education
- Travel and immersive learning experiences
- Leadership coaching and mentorship
- Time away from work to focus on personal development
- Customized experiences aligned with the fellow’s leadership goals
The exact use of funds depends on each fellow’s approved leadership plan.
Who Is Eligible?
The Bush Fellowship welcomes leaders from all sectors, including:
- Business
- Government
- Nonprofit organizations
- Tribal communities
- Education
- Social enterprises
- Community leadership
Competitive applicants typically demonstrate three key qualities:
A proven record of impact: Applicants should show evidence of solving problems and making meaningful change happen.
A compelling vision: Strong candidates articulate an ambitious vision for creating equitable, large-scale change within their communities or field.
A clear leadership development plan: Rather than proposing a project, applicants must explain how they intend to grow their own capacity to lead more effectively.
Important Funding Restrictions
The fellowship is intended for leadership development, not project implementation. Bush Foundation specifies that fellowship funds cannot be used to:
- Fund a business
- Support a programme or organization
- Transfer funds to another individual
- Pay off debt
- Finance lobbying or political campaigns
Government and elected officials may also be subject to additional IRS regulations regarding eligible uses of fellowship funding.
Selection Process
The Bush Fellowship follows a multi-stage selection process involving alumni, staff and community reviewers.
Application timeline:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 22 September 2026 |
| Applications close | 6 October 2026 |
| Semifinalists notified | 1–4 December 2026 |
| Finalists notified | 10–15 March 2027 |
| Finalist interviews | 15, 19 & 22 April 2027 |
| Fellowship retreat | 19–21 May 2027 |
| Public announcement | June 2027 |
Applications are evaluated through written responses, references for semifinalists and in-person interviews for finalists.
How to Build a Strong Application
Successful applicants focus less on describing community projects and more on explaining how becoming a stronger leader will enable greater impact.
A competitive application should:
- Demonstrate measurable leadership achievements.
- Present a bold, long-term vision for change.
- Clearly explain why the proposed learning experiences are necessary.
- Show openness to growth, collaboration and lifelong learning.
- Connect personal development with broader community impact.
The Bush Foundation also encourages applicants to have trusted colleagues review their written application for clarity while ensuring the ideas remain authentically their own.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Since its launch in the 1960s, the Bush Fellowship has invested in more than 2,000 leaders across its region. The programme recognizes that sustainable change depends on capable, reflective and courageous leaders who continually invest in their own growth.
For experienced professionals seeking the time, resources and flexibility to reimagine their leadership journey, the Bush Fellowship represents one of the most significant leadership development opportunities available.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should review the eligibility criteria, application questions and selection process before submitting their application through the official Bush Foundation portal.
Application Deadline: 6 October 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time
Official Application: 2027 Bush Fellowship Application Portal
