Aspire Leaders Program by Harvard Faculty – A Fully Funded Global Leadership Development Opportunity for First-Generation and Low-Income Students

The Aspire Leaders Program is a transformative, fully funded online leadership development journey designed for first-generation and limited-income university students and recent graduates from around the world. Developed in collaboration with faculty from Harvard University, the program equips emerging leaders with the skills, networks, and tools they need to make a difference in their communities and careers.

Applications are now open for Cohort 5 of the 2025 Aspire Leaders Program. If you’re eligible and submit a short application, you will be accepted. This is your chance to connect with peers worldwide, engage with world-class faculty, and grow as a leader—at no cost.

Application Deadline for Cohort 5

• Deadline: September 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM EDT

• Program Dates: October 15 – December 16, 2025

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the Aspire Leaders Program, you must:

• Be 18–29 years old

• Come from a limited-income background or be the first in your family to attend university

• Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program or a recent graduate (you should not be enrolled in or have completed postgraduate studies)

• Be able to participate in English-language programming

All eligible applicants who submit the 10-minute online application will be accepted.

What the Aspire Leaders Program Offers

The program is designed to be flexible and manageable alongside your studies or work, taking place entirely online. Participants experience a structured, interactive curriculum that unfolds in distinct phases:

Module 1: Personal & Professional Development (3 Weeks)

• A strengths-based leadership skills assessment

• Professional development resources co-created with Harvard Business School, including:

  • Resume and LinkedIn profile building

  • Interviewing techniques

  • Networking tips

• Live peer-to-peer interaction within a global cohort

Module 2: Aspire Horizons Course (5 Weeks)

• A leadership development course taught by Harvard University faculty, covering:

  • Self-awareness and leadership identity

  • Trust-building and understanding context

  • Digital transformation and artificial intelligence

  • Social impact and community leadership

  • Driving change locally and globally

Masterclasses: Ongoing Throughout the Program

• Live, synchronous sessions with educators from top global universities

• Real-time learning and global discussions with peers and mentors

Beyond the Program: Extended Leadership Opportunities

Aspire Leaders alumni gain lifelong access to a vibrant network of mentors, funding opportunities, and fellow changemakers. The Extended Leadership Programs offer continued support for alumni seeking to implement their ideas and expand their leadership impact globally.

Upcoming Cohorts for the 2025 Aspire Leaders Program

Cohort 3

• Program Dates: May 28 – July 29, 2025

• Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Cohort 4

• Program Dates: August 6 – October 7, 2025

• Application Deadline: July 9, 2025

Cohort 5

• Program Dates: October 15 – December 16, 2025

• Application Deadline: September 17, 2025

How to Apply

Applications are open now for Cohort 5. The application process is simple, takes around 10 minutes, and guarantees your spot if you meet the eligibility requirements.

To learn more and start your application, visit the official Aspire Leaders Program website.