OC Fellowship 2026: A Global Opportunity for Social Entrepreneurs and Nonprofit Leaders
The Opportunity Collaboration (OC) Fellowship is a prestigious global opportunity designed for innovative social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders who are building sustainable solutions to poverty around the world. Each year, OC selects exceptional leaders from diverse communities and backgrounds, providing them with access to a powerful ecosystem of knowledge, networks, and collaboration that can significantly accelerate their impact.
As poverty, inequality, and social injustice continue to affect millions globally, the OC Fellowship stands out as a platform that does more than offer funding—it opens doors, broadens perspectives, and connects purpose-driven leaders to a global community committed to meaningful change.
About the OC Fellowship
The OC Fellowship is awarded annually to emerging and established social impact leaders who demonstrate strong ethical grounding, pragmatic vision, and a deep commitment to poverty alleviation. Fellows include founders of social enterprises, nonprofit executives, and innovative for-profit leaders whose work directly addresses social and economic challenges.
The Fellowship’s core purpose is threefold:
- To empower emerging leaders by opening doors to new ideas, relationships, and opportunities
- To enrich Opportunity Collaboration with fresh perspectives and diverse lived experiences
- To foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration through in-person and online engagements
As one Fellow shared, “At the Opportunity Collaboration, I honestly learned more in the past few days than in a semester in business school.” — Cynthia Koenig, Founder & CEO, Wello (USA).
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
OC Fellows are catalytic leaders whose actions and accomplishments demonstrate innovation, resilience, and adaptive leadership. Successful applicants typically have not yet received similar global fellowships or international awards.
Individual Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be high-impact, innovative, entrepreneurial for-profit or nonprofit executives
- Demonstrate a clear commitment to social justice and poverty alleviation
- Not have attended a previous OC in-person summit
- Be available to attend OC Sunrise & OC2026, taking place November 2–6, 2026 in Albufeira, Portugal (arrival on November 1)
- Be able to engage in programs conducted primarily in English
Organizational Eligibility
Organizations must:
- Have at least one year of active operations focused on poverty alleviation
- Have no prior OC in-person summit attendees within the organization
- Demonstrate financial need, with an annual budget below USD $1 million
- Maintain an active web or social media presence
Fellowship Benefits & Financial Support
The OC Fellowship offers generous financial and programmatic support, with awards structured based on country classification.
- Fellowship Awards
- Non-OECD (Developing Economies):
- USD $2,890 award, fully covering OC Sunrise, OC2026, and OC365 registration
- USD $295 refundable administration fee (refunded after attending OC Global)
- OECD (Developed Economies): USD $1,895 award, partially covering registration
- USD $995 registration fee
What the Fellowship Includes
Fellows receive a comprehensive, all-inclusive experience, including:
- 5 nights / 4 days shared accommodation with meals, internet, resort, and recreation fees
- Transportation to and from Faro International Airport (FAO)
- Full access to leadership programs and capacity-building sessions
- Opportunities to facilitate sessions at OC365 and OC2026
- Participation in working discussion groups and organizational showcases
- Dedicated networking concierge services
- Most importantly, four days of connection with hundreds of passionate global impact leaders
As one Fellow reflected, “It was a personal and professional game changer.” — Adam Braun, Founder, Pencils of Promise (Cambodia).
Fellow Responsibilities
While the Fellowship covers most on-site costs, Fellows are responsible for:
- Paying their own round-trip international airfare
- Securing all required travel documents and visas
- OC supports Fellows by providing a formal invitation letter for immigration purposes and is actively seeking airline partnerships to reduce airfare costs.
- Preparing a Strong Application
The OC Fellowship application asks detailed questions about your background, organization, leadership journey, and motivation for joining Opportunity Collaboration in 2026.
Helpful tips for applicants:
- Hundreds of strong candidates apply—use the qualitative sections to clearly explain why you stand out
- OC is not solely a fundraising event; applicants should align with OC’s community values and collaborative spirit
- Ensure your website, LinkedIn, and social media profiles are updated and reflect your current work
Application Process & Key Dates
Application Deadline:
🗓 Monday, February 16, 2026
Timeline Overview
December 18, 2025 – February 16, 2026: Applications open
February 17 – March 24, 2026: Selection process
By April 17, 2026: Invitations sent to selected Fellows
Accepted applicants must complete registration within 2–3 weeks of receiving their invitation.
The OC Fellowship is more than a conference opportunity—it is a life-changing experience that equips social impact leaders with the tools, confidence, and global connections needed to scale their work. As one Fellow shared after attending their first international event, “For the first time in my life, I flew in a plane, visited a foreign nation, and attended a high-profile conference. It was a life-changing experience.”
If you are a mission-driven leader working to alleviate poverty and ready to grow through collaboration, learning, and global exposure, the OC Fellowship 2026 is an opportunity worth pursuing.
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