Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded Leadership Development Opportunity for Early-Career Changemakers

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has officially opened applications for the second cohort of the Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship, a prestigious 21-month leadership development program designed to empower emerging leaders who are already making a difference in the lives of children, youth, families, and communities.

This fully funded fellowship is specifically tailored for early-career professionals between the ages of 24 and 31 who are committed to driving equitable change in communities facing systemic challenges and limited resources. Through seminars, coaching, applied leadership practice, networking, and customized learning experiences, the program equips participants with the tools, competencies, and strategic mindset necessary to strengthen their leadership impact.

About the Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship

The Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship is part of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s broader Thrive by 25™ commitment, which focuses on ensuring young people have the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to succeed in education, employment, and life.

This fellowship was intentionally created with input from young leaders across the United States and represents the Foundation’s first Results Count® leadership initiative specifically designed for individuals aged 24 to 31.

The program recognizes that many young professionals are already leading transformative initiatives within their communities but often lack structured leadership development opportunities that help them expand their impact. The fellowship therefore supports individuals who are:

• Leading community initiatives
• Building strategic partnerships
• Influencing policy
• Creating social impact solutions
• Working across sectors to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations

Participants often come from fields such as:

• Education
• Public policy
• Community development
• Youth advocacy
• Arts and culture
• Social justice initiatives
• Nonprofit leadership
• Civic engagement

What Makes This Fellowship Unique?

Unlike traditional leadership programs that focus mainly on theory, the Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship emphasizes real-world application.

Fellows bring actual leadership challenges from their professional environments into the fellowship experience. They then work on solving these challenges using tools, frameworks, coaching, and collaborative learning acquired throughout the program.

The fellowship treats leadership development as both:

1. An internal practice — helping fellows understand themselves, strengthen self-awareness, and improve leadership behaviors.
2. An external practice — helping fellows effectively navigate organizations, systems, partnerships, and complex social challenges.

This integrated approach allows fellows to immediately apply what they learn to their professional roles and communities.

Fellowship Duration and Structure

The fellowship runs for 21 months and consists of multiple learning sessions, leadership engagements, and collaborative activities.

The program includes:

1. Applied Leadership Work

Each fellow identifies a major leadership challenge or result area connected to their work. This becomes the foundation of their fellowship journey.

Participants continuously refine their approach through:

• Coaching
• Peer consultation
• Leadership seminars
• Reflection sessions
• Practical experimentation

This ensures fellows make measurable progress while participating in the program.

2. In-Person Seminars and Virtual Learning Sessions

Fellows participate in:

• Intensive in-person seminars
• Virtual leadership workshops
• Reflection and strategy sessions
• Applied learning discussions

These sessions are designed to help fellows:

• Build leadership capacity
• Develop strategic thinking
• Strengthen communication skills
• Enhance collaboration
• Improve systems-level problem-solving

The fellowship also incorporates place-based learning experiences, meaning fellows travel to different locations to engage with diverse communities and leadership contexts.

3. Coaching and Peer Learning

Participants receive:

• Individual coaching
• Small-group coaching
• Peer feedback opportunities
• Collaborative learning experiences

These engagements help fellows:

• Reflect on leadership behaviors
• Improve decision-making
• Gain practical insights
• Receive real-time feedback
• Strengthen confidence and effectiveness

4. Between-Session Engagement

Learning continues even outside formal seminars.

Fellows participate in:

• Virtual coaching sessions
• Leadership practice exercises
• Ongoing peer engagement
• Follow-up learning activities

This structure helps maintain momentum and continuous professional growth throughout the 21-month experience.

5. Faculty Site Visits

A particularly distinctive aspect of the fellowship is the structured faculty site visit component.

Faculty members visit fellows within their actual organizational or work environments to:

• Observe leadership practice
• Understand organizational challenges
• Connect fellowship learning to real-world work
• Provide personalized guidance

This hands-on support strengthens the practical value of the program.

6. Build Your Own Experience

Each fellow develops a customized leadership development plan aligned with personal and professional goals.

This component allows participants to pursue individualized learning opportunities that support their unique leadership journey and aspirations.

7. Network and Community Building

The fellowship strongly emphasizes relationship-building and cross-sector collaboration.

Participants become part of a growing leadership network that includes:

• Fellow cohort members
• Faculty experts
• Community leaders
• Policy professionals
• Change-makers across sectors

These relationships often continue long after the formal fellowship concludes.

Fellowship Goals

The program aims to prepare fellows to become:

• Results-driven leaders
• Equity-focused professionals
• Effective systems changemakers
• Collaborative community leaders

Participants will strengthen their ability to:

• Mobilize others around shared goals
• Address inequities and disparities
• Navigate complex systems
• Advance equitable outcomes
• Apply leadership tools effectively
• Create sustainable community impact

Commitment to Equity and Justice

A major focus of the fellowship is understanding how race, identity, systems, and structural inequities shape community outcomes.

The program encourages fellows to critically examine:

• Systemic disparities
• Institutional barriers
• Unequal access to opportunities
• Community challenges
• Leadership responsibility in advancing equity

Fellows are then supported in developing practical strategies to address these issues through their professional roles and leadership initiatives.

Organizational Benefits

The fellowship does not only benefit participants individually; it also strengthens the organizations and systems where fellows work.

Organizations benefit because fellows:

• Bring new leadership tools into their workplaces
• Apply innovative approaches in real time
• Improve collaboration within teams
• Advance organizational goals
• Enhance community impact

Because of the intensive nature of the fellowship, strong supervisor and organizational support is required.

Selected fellows must be allowed to:

• Attend all seminars
• Participate fully during work hours
• Engage in leadership activities
• Implement fellowship learning within their organizations

Financial Support and Fellowship Coverage

The Annie E. Casey Foundation fully supports the core costs associated with participation.

Covered expenses include:

• Transportation to fellowship seminars
• Travel-related expenses
• Accommodation during seminars
• Meals during program activities
• Fellowship materials

Additional support may also include:

• Childcare stipends
• Accessibility support
• Individualized learning resources

This ensures fellows can participate fully without financial barriers.

Why You Should Apply

The Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for emerging leaders to accelerate their growth while creating measurable community impact.

Benefits include:

• Fully funded leadership development
• National professional network
• Personalized coaching
• Real-world leadership application
• Long-term career growth
• Cross-sector collaboration
• Equity-centered leadership training
• Practical systems-change experience

For young professionals passionate about creating meaningful change, this fellowship can become a transformative career milestone.

Important Deadline

Applications must be submitted by:

July 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. EDT

APPLY HERE

For more information about this opportunity, visit here.

Discover more Global Fellowship Opportunities on OFY here.