Apply for the 2025 Bush Fellowship: Empowering Leaders to Drive Change(Fully-funded with $150,000 for fellows and open to USA residents only)
For nearly 60 years, the Bush Fellowship has been investing in visionary individuals, helping them grow as leaders and create transformative change in their communities. Established by Archie Bush, the program reflects his belief in the potential of individuals to shape the future.
We know that leadership isn’t confined to titles or positions. It manifests in diverse ways, and we are committed to empowering individuals who believe they can make a difference. The Bush Fellowship invests in people who are already contributing to the betterment of the region and who are ready to grow further to lead larger-scale changes.
What is the Bush Fellowship?
The Bush Fellowship is not about funding a specific project but about fostering personal growth as a leader. Each year, up to 30 Bush Fellows receive up to $150,000 over two years. This support allows them to expand their capacity, knowledge, and networks to drive meaningful change. Fellows come from various sectors, including business, nonprofits, and government, and are united by a vision of creating radical, positive transformations in their communities.
Through the Fellowship, leaders get the flexibility to design a plan that aligns with their personal and professional development goals. The program supports their journey to becoming even more effective leaders with the skills, experience, and connections needed to tackle the region’s most pressing issues.
Is the Bush Fellowship Right for You?
The Bush Fellowship is designed for those who:
- Have a vision for creating lasting change in their communities.
- Are well-connected to the people and issues they want to impact.
- Are ready to invest time and effort in their own leadership development.
- Can articulate how they would use the Fellowship funds and time to pursue their leadership goals.
Even though the application process is competitive (with over 600 applications in recent years), many applicants say the process itself helped them think deeply about their roles in driving change.
How to Use the Fellowship Funds
The Bush Fellowship is highly flexible, allowing Fellows to use their funds in various ways, such as:
- Earning professional degrees or credentials.
- Attending conferences and building networks.
- Participating in leadership coaching or mentorship programs.
- Traveling for learning or cultural experiences that strengthen leadership capacity.
Fellows are encouraged to design a personalized Fellowship plan that meets their unique goals and helps them grow as effective leaders.
Timeline, key dates, webinars
Application key dates
- Applications open at 8:00 a.m. CT on Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024
- Applications close at noon CT on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024
- Semifinalists receive email notification between Thursday, Nov. 21 and Monday, Nov. 25, 2024
- Finalists receive email notification between Thursday, Feb. 27 and Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025
- Finalists in-person interviews between Thursday, Apr. 3 and Thursday, Apr. 10, 2025
Get your questions answered at our live Q&As
Join us for one of our live Q&A sessions. We’re offering two different dates.
- Live Q&A session on Thursday, Sep. 19 at 12:00-1:00 p.m. CT – register here
- Live Q&A session on Thursday, Sep. 26 at 9:00-10:00 a.m. CT – register here
Watch our webinars to hear how our staff members talk about the application process
- Fellowship overview: https://youtu.be/wXqNDisr9P8
- Selection criteria: https://youtu.be/cU2OJaV9poU
- Leadership reflection guide: https://youtu.be/PHKntxvODuc
Still have questions? We want to hear from you!
- Email us at staff@bushfoundation.org or call 651-379-2249.
Check out our Fellowship overview, selection criteria, and leadership reflection guide on our website for more insights into the application process.
Other helpful resources
Leadership reflection guide PDFs (print version or fillable version): Based on feedback we’ve heard from Fellows and applicants, we put together this reflection guide as a tool to help anyone exploring their leadership journey. This can be helpful if you decide to apply for a Fellowship, or it can just help you think about the impact you want to have as a leader.
Learning logs: We ask all Fellows to share periodic reflections and learnings throughout their leadership journey, and we publish them on our website. We hope it inspires others in their own journeys.
Stories: We publish online stories about Bush Fellows who are helping to make our region better for everyone. These go deeper than the typical profile and aim to demonstrate how they used their Fellowship — and what they learned — to think bigger and differently.
Learnings from staff: Through the years, our staff members have shared their own reflections and advice about the Bush Fellowship program.
Search our database: Find past and current Fellows. It’s a rich, living history of people leading change in the region.
Ready to Apply?
The application period for the 2025 Bush Fellowship opens on Sep. 17, 2024. Be sure to review the application questions and selection criteria ahead of time to prepare your submission. For further inquiries, reach us at staff@bushfoundation.org or call 651-379-2249.
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