Fortis Society Fellowship 2027: Apply for a Fully Funded Global Leadership Fellowship in Medellín, Colombia

The Fortis Society Fellowship 2027 is an international leadership and professional development opportunity for ambitious individuals from humble beginnings who want to create meaningful, positive change. The five-month programme connects emerging leaders with experienced mentors, professional learning opportunities, and a global network of people working across different industries and sectors.

Applications are open to candidates worldwide, and applicants do not need a university degree, nomination, or institutional endorsement. The programme welcomes individuals whose experiences demonstrate resilience, concern for others, initiative, and the ambition to achieve meaningful results.

The fellowship runs from January to June 2027, combining virtual sessions and mentorship with in-person cohort programming in Medellín, Colombia, followed by the Fortis Summit in June. Fellows who complete the programme and attend the Summit become lifelong members of the Fortis Society.

Applications close on 8 November 2026.

Fortis Society Fellowship 2027: Key Details

• Host organisation: Fortis Society
• Opportunity: Fortis Fellowship, 2027 cohort
• Programme duration: January–June 2027
• Location: Online, with in-person programming and the Summit in Medellín, Colombia
• Eligible applicants: Individuals from humble beginnings worldwide
• Education requirement: No formal degree requirement
• Professional background: All sectors are welcome
• Language: English
• Funding: No application or fellowship participation fee; cohort programming and the Summit are funded
• Application deadline: 8 November 2026
• Interview period: November–December 2026
• Expected membership decisions: By the end of January 2027

About the Fortis Society Fellowship

The Fortis Society is an international community of leaders who share a commitment to helping one another succeed and creating positive social change. Its approach recognises that talent exists everywhere, but access to influential professional networks, experienced advisers, and career opportunities is not equally distributed.

Individuals from disadvantaged or low-income backgrounds may have to navigate educational and professional environments without the connections and guidance that others can access more easily. Fortis seeks to address this imbalance by connecting promising people across countries, industries, and professional disciplines.

The Fortis Fellowship is the pathway through which new members enter the Society. During the programme, participants build relationships with other fellows, receive one-to-one mentorship from a Society member, and participate in professional learning activities.

The experience culminates in a gathering in Medellín in June 2027. Fellows participate in two days of cohort programming before joining the Fortis Summit, where they connect with the wider Society.

Following the fellowship and Summit, participants become members of the Society for life. This creates an opportunity to maintain professional relationships and contribute to a community that values shared knowledge, collaboration, and mutual support.

What Does the Fellowship Offer?

1. Individual Mentorship

Fellows are paired with a member of the Fortis Society who can offer guidance and perspective as they navigate professional challenges and future opportunities.

Mentorship allows participants to learn from someone else’s experience, discuss important decisions, and gain insight into unfamiliar professional environments. The relationship can also help fellows think more strategically about their ambitions and the steps required to pursue them.

2. Professional Learning and Development

The programme includes professional learning workshops, virtual sessions, and opportunities to exchange ideas with other participants.

Rather than focusing on a single academic discipline or industry, the fellowship brings together people with different experiences and professional interests. This cross-sector approach allows participants to learn from perspectives outside their immediate fields.

3. An International Professional Network

Fellows join a cohort of ambitious individuals from different backgrounds and regions. The wider Fortis Society includes members working across areas such as government, law, business, healthcare, education, technology, academia, and the arts.

These connections can provide opportunities to exchange expertise, discuss challenges, identify potential collaborators, and learn from people working in different environments.

The Society emphasises reciprocity: members are expected not only to benefit from their connections but also to support others by sharing knowledge, making relevant introductions, and offering assistance when they can.

4. Funded In-Person Programming and Summit

The fellowship concludes with in-person cohort programming in Medellín, followed by the Fortis Summit in June 2027.

The organisation states that the cohort programming and Summit are funded for fellows. Applicants should consult the official programme instructions if they need clarification about international travel, visas, accommodation, or the exact scope of expenses covered.

The official page does not advertise a cash stipend or salary.

5. Lifelong Membership

Fellows who complete the programme and attend the Summit become lifelong members of the Fortis Society.

Membership provides a continuing connection to the international community beyond the five-month fellowship. Members can maintain relationships, exchange professional knowledge, support one another, and explore opportunities to collaborate on work that benefits their communities and wider society.

Who Can Apply?

The Fortis Society welcomes applications from individuals worldwide who come from humble beginnings and aspire to make a significant, positive impact.

There is no formal education requirement, and applicants do not need to belong to a particular professional sector. The organisation is open to people with different levels of work experience, although its cohorts tend to include individuals with approximately one to five years of full-time professional experience.

The selection process centres on four pillars.

1. Humble Beginnings

The Society seeks people who have had to build their own paths despite limited resources or access to opportunities.

This may include applicants from low-income backgrounds or those who are the first in their families to pursue a particular educational or professional direction.

Applicants should explain the circumstances that shaped their journeys and demonstrate what they have achieved in the context of the opportunities and resources available to them.

2. An Altruistic Focus

Applicants should demonstrate that their work contributes to the well-being of others.

This does not mean that candidates must work for a charity or a nonprofit organisation. Contributions can come from many professional settings, including government offices, businesses, hospitals, schools, courts, studios, and startups.

The important consideration is how the applicant’s work benefits other people or contributes to addressing a meaningful problem.

3. Ambition at Scale

The Society looks for individuals with substantial ambitions who have already begun taking action towards their goals.

Applicants should be able to explain the change they hope to create and provide examples of what they have done so far. The focus is on demonstrating initiative and progress, rather than relying solely on future plans.

4. Generosity

The final pillar concerns an applicant’s willingness to support others.

The Fortis Society expects members to contribute to the network by sharing their knowledge, making useful introductions, offering guidance, and helping other members when possible.

Applicants should therefore be prepared to demonstrate how they have supported others and how they intend to contribute to a collaborative professional community.

Academic and Professional Requirements

Applicants do not need a university degree or a particular professional qualification to apply. The programme is designed to accommodate people who have taken different routes into their careers.

There is also no fixed minimum or maximum number of years of work experience. Although applicants with one to five years of full-time professional experience are common in the Society’s cohorts, this is a general pattern rather than a strict eligibility rule.

The fellowship is open across sectors, with particular encouragement for individuals working in:

• Arts and creative industries
• Education
• Government and public service
• Healthcare

Applicants from other professional backgrounds are also welcome.

No nomination or institutional endorsement is required. Nominations from existing members and peer organisations are welcome, but nominated individuals must still complete the standard application and undergo the same selection process.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare the following materials before beginning the application.

1. Resume or Portfolio

Submit a resume or portfolio that best demonstrates your work to date. Choose material that helps the selection committee understand your background, achievements, responsibilities, and contributions.

2. Three Short Written Responses

The application includes three short written answers about where you started and where you are going.

Use these responses to communicate your personal journey, the experiences that shaped your ambitions, and the contributions you have made or hope to make. Ensure that your answers address the questions in the application portal directly.

3. A Two-Minute Introduction Video

Applicants must submit a two-minute video introducing themselves. The video can be recorded using a laptop or phone.

Follow the instructions provided in the official application regarding the content and submission format.

4. A Virtual Interview

Candidates shortlisted after the application stage will be invited to a virtual interview with the recruitment committee.

The interview period is November–December 2026. According to the organisation, shortlisted candidates receive a short guide beforehand explaining what the interview will cover.

The application itself takes approximately two to three hours for most applicants.

How to Apply for the Fortis Society Fellowship 2027

Follow these steps to submit your application:

1. Visit the official fellowship page: Go to the official website and review the programme details and selection criteria.
2. Prepare your materials: Gather your resume or portfolio, develop your three written responses, and record your two-minute introduction video.
3. Complete the online application: Use the official application link provided on the Fortis Society website and follow all instructions.
4. Review your submission: Ensure your responses accurately reflect your background, contributions, and ambitions, and check that all required materials are included.
5. Submit before the deadline: Complete your application by 8 November 2026.
6. Attend an interview if shortlisted: Virtual interviews are scheduled for November and December 2026.
7. Await the final decision: Membership decisions are expected by the end of January 2027.

The organisation states that every candidate will receive a response, including applicants who are not selected.

Fellowship Timeline

Stage	Expected date
Application deadline	8 November 2026
Virtual interviews	November–December 2026
Membership decisions	By the end of January 2027
Fellowship begins	January 2027
Virtual sessions and mentorship	January–June 2027
Cohort programming and Fortis Summit	June 2027, Medellín, Colombia

Applicants should check the official website for any updates to the schedule.

Programme Commitment and Funding

The fellowship is designed for people who may already have demanding professional responsibilities. From January to June 2027, participants should expect approximately two to four hours of virtual sessions and mentorship each month.

The programme also includes four full days in Medellín for the in-person cohort activities and Summit. Applicants should plan to make time for these activities and confirm the dates and travel arrangements before committing to the programme.

There is no application fee, and the fellowship itself is free to participate in. The organisation confirms that the cohort programming and Summit are funded for fellows. However, applicants should verify the precise coverage of travel and related expenses rather than assume that every possible cost is included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can applicants from Ghana and other African countries apply?

Yes. The fellowship welcomes applicants worldwide and aims to build a globally representative cohort. The organisation is making additional recruitment efforts in Latin America for this cycle, but applications are open to people in other regions.

Is a nomination required?

No. Candidates can apply directly. A nomination does not replace the application or change the selection criteria.

Can someone without a degree apply?

Yes. There is no formal education requirement.

Can unsuccessful applicants apply again?

Yes. The Fortis Society selects a new cohort each year, and unsuccessful applicants may apply again in a future cycle.

Where can applicants get further information?

Applicants can consult the official fellowship page or contact the recruitment team at info@fortissociety.org.

The Fortis Society Fellowship 2027 offers emerging leaders from humble beginnings the opportunity to strengthen their professional development, learn from experienced mentors, and join an international network committed to mutual support and positive impact.

The programme is open across professional sectors and does not require a university degree, nomination, or institutional endorsement. Instead, applicants are evaluated on their backgrounds, altruistic contributions, ambitions, and willingness to help others.

Interested candidates should prepare their resume or portfolio, three written responses, and two-minute introduction video before submitting their applications. With the deadline approaching on 8 November 2026, applicants should review the official requirements carefully and complete their submissions on time.

Learn more and apply here

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