FellowshipFellowship participation + travel

TED Fellows Program, Canada Presents Opportunities for Africans and International Leaders

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Heads up — this listing may be outdated.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 TED Fellows Program offers a global platform for emerging leaders to amplify their impact through skill-building, exposure, and community-building, focusing on individuals who are actively solving humanity's challenges.

Provider: Various
Host country: Canada
Deadline: Null
Region: Americas

Official source Track this application

Topics

Fellowships

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: Emerging leaders who are thinkers, future-shapers, and culture-shakers from nearly every discipline and corner of the world, with a track record of excellence in world-changing ideas. They should be in the earlier phases of their career and have a kind, collaborative character.
Funding: Fellowship participation + travel
Study level: Fellowship
Deadline: Null

Key eligibility criteria

Emerging leaders who are thinkers, future-shapers, and culture-shakers from nearly every discipline and corner of the world, with a track record of excellence in world-changing ideas. They should be in the earlier phases of their career and have a kind, collaborative character.

Recorded funding information

Fellowship participation + travel

About the TED Fellows Program, Canada Presents Opportunities for Africans and International Leaders (2026)

## TED Fellows Program: Opportunities for African and International Leaders ### Overview The TED Fellows Program is designed to support and amplify the work of exceptional individuals in the earlier phases of their careers who are dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. This fellowship provides a unique platform for emerging leaders across various disciplines—from science and technology to arts and social justice—to gain global exposure, enhance their skills, and connect with a diverse community of innovators. The program focuses on individuals who are actively working on-the-ground to solve humanity's greatest challenges, offering them tools, training, and a vast network to further their impactful initiatives. The program transitions to a nomination-based application process in 2024, emphasizing its commitment to identifying and nurturing truly groundbreaking talent from around the globe. ### Benefits Fellows in the TED Program receive an unparalleled array of benefits designed to accelerate their impact and personal growth. Participation includes comprehensive support for professional and personal development. Specifically, the program offers workshops and one-to-one mentoring to hone critical skills such as public speaking, media relations, and team leadership, preparing Fellows to confidently share their message on a global stage. Fellows gain access to a massive global audience through TED Talks, TED-produced video content, and exclusive TED events worldwide, attracting millions of views daily. Beyond exposure, the program cultivates a vibrant community through year-round conferences, events, and informal gatherings, fostering connections with colleagues, collaborators, industry leaders, and potential sponsors. Many Fellows highlight the profound value of the friendship and sense of belonging within the global TED Fellows community. This support structure aims to serve as a launchpad for Fellows, enabling amplified outreach, robust network-building, and continuous professional development. ### Eligibility The TED Fellows Program seeks emerging leaders who are actively engaged in impactful work. Ideal candidates are in the earlier stages of their careers, demonstrating a strong track record of excellence but who have not yet received extensive global recognition or numerous other prestigious fellowships. The program specifically targets individuals working on world-changing ideas across diverse fields, including but not limited to science, technology, arts, education, entrepreneurship, and human rights. Applicants should possess originality and authenticity in their approach to solving global challenges, displaying a kind, collaborative character, and a readiness to leverage the TED community as a launching pad for growth. ### Requirements (Required Documents) While the page does not list specific documents, the qualifications section implies that candidates will need to demonstrate: * **Evidence of Emerging Leadership:** A track record of excellence in their field, indicating they are in the earlier phases of their career and have not yet achieved widespread global recognition. * **Proof of Original and Authentic Work:** Documentation or portfolio showcasing a unique approach to solving significant global challenges through on-the-ground action and innovative ideas. * **Demonstration of Kind, Collaborative Character:** Potential recommendations, testimonials, or project descriptions that highlight their collaborative spirit and positive engagement within communities. * **Readiness for Growth:** A clear articulation of how they intend to utilize the TED community and its resources for amplification, network-building, communication training, and professional development. For 2024, the program transitions to a nomination-based application process, suggesting that these attributes will be assessed through the nomination and subsequent evaluation stages rather than direct document submission in an open application. It is recommended to check the official site for any specific application materials required for nominated candidates. ### How to Apply For 2024, the TED Fellows Program has transitioned to a nomination-based application process. This means that direct applications, as in previous years, are no longer the primary method for consideration. Prospective Fellows will need to be nominated to be considered for the program. While the page does not detail the nomination process, it is essential for interested individuals to understand this change. It is advisable to explore the TED Fellows website or related TED platforms for information on how the nomination process works, who can nominate, and what criteria nominators should consider. The program seeks to identify individuals who align with its core values of emerging leadership, originality, collaborative spirit, and a readiness for growth, making networking and demonstrating impact within one's field crucial for potential nomination. ### Key Dates & Deadlines The application period for the TED Fellows Program operates on an annual cycle. The deadline is listed as "Annual – check official site," indicating that specific dates can vary from year to year. For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding nomination periods, review timelines, and selection announcements, prospective applicants (or their nominators) **must consult the official TED Fellows Program website**. The program emphasizes timely checks of its official online resources to ensure awareness of current application windows and any changes to the annual schedule. ### Selection Criteria The selection of TED Fellows is based on a comprehensive set of criteria designed to identify individuals with exceptional potential and impact. The primary focus is on identifying **emerging leaders** who are in the earlier stages of their careers, possessing a strong track record of excellence but who have not yet gained a multitude of other fellowships or global recognition. **Originality and authenticity** are paramount, with a preference for proximate leaders who offer unique, on-the-ground solutions to global challenges. Candidates must demonstrate a **kind, collaborative character**, indicating their ability to contribute positively to the diverse TED community. Finally, Fellows are selected based on their **readiness to grow**, meaning they are poised to utilize the TED community and its support mechanisms—amplification, network-building, communication training, and professional development—as a launching pad for greater impact. The move to a nomination-based process further underscores the program's commitment to identifying candidates who embody these core qualities. ### Tips for African Applicants African applicants have a significant opportunity to connect with the TED Fellows Program, especially given the program's emphasis on diverse perspectives and global impact. To enhance your chances for nomination, focus on demonstrating: * **On-the-ground Impact:** Highlight your direct involvement and the tangible results of your work in addressing specific challenges within your community or region. Showcase how your initiatives are creating change that resonates locally and potentially globally. * **Unique Local Solutions:** Emphasize any innovative approaches or context-specific solutions you have developed. TED values originality and authentic problem-solving tailored to specific environments. * **Collaborative Spirit:** Detail any partnerships, community engagement, or team efforts that underscore your collaborative nature. The program highly values individuals who contribute positively to a collective environment. * **Clear Vision for Growth:** Articulate how being a TED Fellow would specifically amplify your work and contribute to your professional development, particularly within an African context or for issues relevant to the continent. Think about how the platform would help scale your impact. * **Network Strategically:** As the program is moving to a nomination-based system for 2024, building connections within relevant professional spheres and with individuals familiar with the TED ecosystem could be beneficial. * **Showcase Emerging Leadership:** If you are an early-to-mid career professional making significant waves, ensure this aspect of your profile is clear. Focus on your trajectory and future potential rather than past extensive accolades. ### Official Source For the most current and detailed information on the TED Fellows Program, including application guidelines, deadlines, and nomination procedures, please visit the official website: [https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/ted-fellows-program](https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/ted-fellows-program)

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

Fellowship participation + travel

TED Fellows Program, Canada Presents Opportunities for Africans and International Leaders eligibility

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

Emerging leaders who are thinkers, future-shapers, and culture-shakers from nearly every discipline and corner of the world, with a track record of excellence in world-changing ideas. They should be in the earlier phases of their career and have a kind, collaborative character.

TED Fellows Program, Canada Presents Opportunities for Africans and International Leaders document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the TED Fellows Program, Canada Presents Opportunities for Africans and International Leaders 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://fellows.ted.com/program to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: Emerging leaders who are thinkers, future-shapers, and culture-shakers from nearly every discipline and corner of the world, with a track record of excellence in world-changing ideas. They should be in the earlier phases of their career and have a kind, collaborative character.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: Null. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

TED Fellows Program, Canada Presents Opportunities for Africans and International Leaders deadline & application timeline

Provider deadline information: Null. This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
Null
Provider deadline information: Null. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Share this scholarship

Send the application link to a friend or post it to your network.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the TED Fellows Program, Canada Presents Opportunities for Africans and International Leaders?+

Emerging leaders who are thinkers, future-shapers, and culture-shakers from nearly every discipline and corner of the world, with a track record of excellence in world-changing ideas. They should be in the earlier phases of their career and have a kind, collaborative character.

What funding does the TED Fellows Program, Canada Presents Opportunities for Africans and International Leaders offer?+

Listed funding: Fellowship participation + travel. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

Provider deadline information: Null. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://fellows.ted.com/program to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Emerging leaders who are thinkers, future-shapers, and culture-shakers from nearly every discipline and corner of the world, with a track record of excellence in world-changing ideas. They should be in the earlier phases of their career and have a kind, collaborative character.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Null. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

Guides for this scholarship

Next steps & guides

Pick the guide that matches where you are right now.

Explore related programmes

Long-form sponsor guides, country pages and category pages connected to this scholarship.

Browse by category & country

Scholarships in Canada
Country guide & open awards

Related hubs

Open the broader hub pages for every country, destination and field this scholarship touches.