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New Voices Fellowship

Last verified 15 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

Heads up — this listing may be outdated. The dates and details below reference a year that has already passed and our editorial team has not re-verified this scholarship is still open. Always confirm the current intake on the sponsor's official website via the button below before you invest time in an application.

The Aspen Institute New Voices Fellowship catalyzes locally-rooted, globally-networked leaders to become visible, effective advocates for more equitable development systems. It equips experts from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean with communication and advocacy skills to influence development policies.

Provider
Aspen Institute
Host country
Multiple
Region
Multiple
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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

New Voices Fellowship is open to African students applying to study in Multiple at the Professional Development level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply
Professional Development · applicants for Multiple
Funding
Fully Funded
Study level
Professional Development
Deadline

Key eligibility criteria

  • The fellowship is for locally-rooted experts from Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean who are working to build movements for large-scale transformation centering dignity, respect, and justice.

What the fully funded award covers

  • Full tuition
  • Monthly stipend
  • Accommodation
  • Return airfare

About the New Voices Fellowship (2026)

## Overview The Aspen Institute New Voices Fellowship is a prestigious program designed to elevate the voices of experts from the Global South, enabling them to become influential advocates for more equitable development systems. Launched in 2013 by the Aspen Global Innovators Group (AGI), the fellowship focuses on empowering locally-rooted leaders with world-class communication and advocacy skills. The program recognizes that genuine progress in global development is achieved when frontline experts, deeply connected to their communities, are equipped to champion solutions and influence policy. The fellowship has built a community of nearly 200 visionary leaders representing over 40 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean, all working towards large-scale transformation centered on dignity, respect, and justice. ## Benefits The New Voices Fellowship offers a comprehensive suite of benefits aimed at enhancing the fellows' visibility, influence, and professional growth: * **World-Class Communication and Advocacy Training:** Fellows receive expert training to hone their communication and advocacy skills, enabling them to effectively articulate their messages and influence development policies. * **Global Network:** Fellows become part of a dynamic and globally networked community of leaders, fostering collaboration, idea exchange, and peer support. * **Amplification of Work:** AGI actively promotes the fellows' achievements across Aspen platforms, including nominations for high-profile awards, prizes, speaking opportunities, and leadership recognitions, thereby elevating their global visibility and influence. * **Ongoing Capacity Building:** The Alumni Network provides continuous professional support through various initiatives: * **Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchanges:** Quarterly alumni-led training sessions on topics relevant to the network's evolving needs, such as digital multimedia & advocacy strategy, and storytelling. * **Innovators Circle:** Monthly virtual gatherings offering a supportive space for fellows to refine their writing, receive feedback, and collaborate with peers and staff. ## Eligibility The New Voices Fellowship targets locally-rooted experts from specific regions. While the program is currently not accepting applications, the general eligibility criteria historically include: * Experts from **Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean.** * Individuals who are working to build movements for large-scale transformation, focusing on **dignity, respect, and justice** within their communities. * Leaders who are committed to advocating for more **equitable development systems.** ## Required Documents The official page does not specify required documents. Typically, fellowship applications of this nature may require a resume/CV, letters of recommendation, essays or personal statements, and potentially samples of work related to advocacy or communication. ## How to Apply The Aspen Institute New Voices Fellowship is currently **not accepting applications.** Interested individuals should monitor the official Aspen Global Innovators Group website for future application cycles. Historically, the application process would likely involve an online submission platform where candidates would provide personal information, details of their work and impact, and demonstrate their potential as advocates and leaders. ## Key Dates **Deadline:** The fellowship is currently not accepting applications, and no future deadline is provided on the official page. ## Selection Criteria While explicit selection criteria are not detailed on the official page, based on the fellowship's mission and successful fellows, it is highly probable that selection is based on: * **Demonstrated Leadership:** Evidence of impactful work and leadership in their respective fields and communities. * **Expertise:** Deep knowledge and experience in areas related to global development, social justice, health, climate, and gender equity. * **Advocacy Potential:** The ability and desire to influence policy and public discourse through effective communication. * **Commitment to Equity:** A clear dedication to fostering more equitable development systems and promoting dignity and justice. * **Communication Skills:** While the fellowship develops these, an initial aptitude for communication and public speaking would likely be an asset. * **Regional Representation:** The program specifically targets experts from Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean to ensure diverse perspectives. ## Tips * **Monitor the Official Website:** Since applications are currently closed, regularly check the Aspen Global Innovators Group website for announcements regarding future application cycles. * **Network Strategically:** Connect with current and former New Voices Fellows to gain insights into the program and application process. * **Highlight Impact:** When applying, clearly articulate the tangible impact of your work and how it aligns with the fellowship's goals of promoting equitable development. * **Demonstrate Communication Prowess:** Showcase any existing public speaking, writing, or advocacy experience to illustrate your potential as a powerful voice. * **Emphasize Local Roots and Global Vision:** Articulate how your local expertise informs your broader vision for global change. ## Official Source [https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/new-voices-fellowship/](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/new-voices-fellowship/)

What the Fully Funded New Voices Fellowship covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

  • Full tuition
  • Monthly stipend
  • Accommodation
  • Return airfare

New Voices Fellowship eligibility for Multiple applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • The fellowship is for locally-rooted experts from Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean who are working to build movements for large-scale transformation centering dignity, respect, and justice.

Documents required for the New Voices Fellowship application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

  • Valid international passport (bio page scan)
  • Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
  • Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
  • Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
  • Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
  • Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
  • Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
  • Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
  • Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the New Voices Fellowship 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

  1. 1
    Confirm eligibility on the official site

    Open https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/new-voices-fellowship/ and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.

  2. 2
    Secure a study place or admission offer

    Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.

  3. 3
    Sit required tests and gather documents

    Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.

  4. 4
    Draft your essays and statements

    Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.

  5. 5
    Complete the online application

    Create an account on https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/new-voices-fellowship/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.

  6. 6
    Submit at least one week before the deadline

    Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

  7. 7
    Prepare for shortlist interviews

    If shortlisted, Aspen Institute will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

New Voices Fellowship deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

  1. 12 months out

    Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.

  2. 6 months out

    Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.

  3. 3 months out

    Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.

  4. 1 month out

    Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.

  5. Application deadline

    Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the New Voices Fellowship?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Professional Development level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Aspen Institute, and be able to relocate to the host country for the duration of the programme.

Is the New Voices Fellowship fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is . Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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