Change in Action: Apply to the Just Economy Institute Fellowship 2026

The global conversation around the economy is evolving, and at the center of this shift is a growing community of leaders who believe capital can be a force for equity rather than extraction. The Just Economy Institute Fellowship exists to support exactly this kind of leadership. Designed for individuals working to transform how money moves in society, the fellowship offers a structured, reflective, and action-oriented learning experience focused on building a more just economy.

This fellowship is not a traditional academic program or professional credential. Instead, it is a deeply values-driven leadership journey for people already engaged in finance, philanthropy, organizing, entrepreneurship, and systems change work. Fellows come together to explore how capital can be aligned with justice, community well-being, and long-term sustainability.

A Fellowship Grounded in Action and Reflection

The Just Economy Institute Fellowship is a nine-month program that combines in-person convenings, virtual learning sessions, and individualized advising. The experience is intentionally designed to support both personal transformation and real-world impact. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the fellowship centers practical application through what the Institute calls a creative capital project – a tangible initiative each fellow develops during the program.

These projects are rooted in the fellow’s existing work and explore new ways to redirect, reimagine, or democratize capital. Whether focused on community wealth building, alternative investment models, reparative finance, or economic systems reform, each project reflects the fellow’s commitment to reshaping how resources flow.

Why This Fellowship Matters Now

At a time when economic inequality, climate disruption, and social injustice are deeply interconnected, the need for new approaches to capital has never been greater. The Just Economy Institute Fellowship responds to this moment by supporting leaders who are not just critiquing existing systems, but actively building alternatives.

By investing in people rather than prescriptions, the fellowship helps seed long-term change across multiple sectors and communities. Fellows leave better equipped to influence capital flows, challenge extractive norms, and contribute to an economy rooted in care, repair, and shared prosperity.

For those committed to transforming the financial system from the inside out, this fellowship offers a rare opportunity to grow alongside peers who share the same vision.

Who the Fellowship Is For

The fellowship is designed for people who are already actively engaged in economic justice or financial systems change. Examples of fellows include:

• Impact investors and fund managers

• Foundation and philanthropic professionals

• Social entrepreneurs and cooperative builders

• Organizers and movement leaders

• Advisors and consultants working in finance or economic development

However, what unites fellows is not a job title, but a shared commitment to aligning capital with justice. The program values lived experience, community accountability, and a willingness to question dominant economic narratives.

Importantly, the fellowship prioritizes people who are ready to both learn and unlearn—those open to examining how power, race, history, and extraction shape financial systems, and how those systems can be redesigned.

What Fellows Gain from the Experience

Participants in the Just Economy Institute Fellowship gain far more than professional development. The program offers:

• In-person convenings that creates space for deep relationship-building and collaborative learning

• Virtual learning sessions that explore economic justice frameworks, systems thinking, and capital strategy

• One-on-one advising tailored to each fellow’s creative capital project

• Peer learning within a cohort of values-aligned leaders

• A supportive community that continues beyond the fellowship

Rather than positioning fellows as students, the program treats them as co-creators of knowledge. The learning environment emphasizes trust, curiosity, and collective wisdom.

Application Timeline

The fellowship runs over a nine-month period, allowing participants to move at a pace that supports meaningful reflection and sustainable action:

• Applications open in February 2026

• Deadline to apply is April 30, 2026

• Interviews take place in May 2026

• The fellowship cohort is finalized in July 2026

This timeline allows applicants to thoughtfully prepare their materials and ensures the cohort selection process remains intentional and values-aligned. The final cohort confirmation in July 2026 serves as the effective application deadline for this fellowship cycle.

Learn more and sign up for the informational webinar here.

Looking for more opportunities? Check out the Opportunities for Youth website.