The J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI) invites alumni to apply to the 2026 Alumni Fellowship Academy, supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Alumni Fellowship Academy reflects America’s commitment to fostering leadership and innovation among young people (ages 18-28) in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa advancing shared priorities while preparing future generations of global leaders.
Building on the practical skills gained during their virtual exchange experience, Fellows will engage in interactive learning focused on skills for the modern economy, global competencies, and leadership. The program emphasizes communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking, equipping participants to apply these skills in real-world scenarios that create meaningful impact in their communities.
Program Description
Phase One (January-June 2026): Approximately 40 selected Fellows will engage in six months of thoughtfully designed virtual programming focused on global learning, professional development, and practical leadership concepts. This phase culminates in an in-person workshop in the MENA region (late spring 2026), where Fellows will deepen their skills through interactive, hands-on design thinking sessions. Following the workshop, Fellows will be invited to apply for the second phase of the Fellowship.
- Virtual Learning Sessions: Fellows will participate in a synchronous learning session focused on Fellowship learning goals and will be expected to complete pre- and post-session activities. The curriculum will focus on developing concrete skills, including intercultural communication, leadership, online professionalism, critical thinking, project management, time management, networking, and personal branding.
- Virtual Activities: Fellows will participate in small group, paired, or individual activities designed to deepen learning, prepare for program components, facilitate networking, and strengthen partnerships. These activities could include asynchronous projects, discussion boards, media sharing, or small informal virtual meetings.
- MENA Workshop: The MENA workshop in late spring (location TBD) will include culminating activities for the leadership curriculum. Fellows will work through an accelerated design thinking workshop to understand the foundations of design thinking and the process thoroughly.
Phase Two (June-December 2026): Twenty Fellows will be selected through a competitive application process to continue into a second six-month phase of advanced design thinking training, ultimately gaining the opportunity to bring their ideas to life through a community action plan project in their local context. Fellows will receive guidance from alumni mentors—former participants with firsthand experience—who will provide tailored support and assist in developing and improving project plans. The Fellowship will conclude with a virtual Summit in December 2026, where Fellows will present the outcomes of their leadership action plans, demonstrating tangible impacts on communities across the United States and the Middle East and North Africa. The Summit will also feature focused discussions and activities to foster collaboration and exchange ideas for future initiatives.
- Virtual Learning Sessions: Fellows will participate in synchronous learning sessions focused on Fellowship learning goals and will be expected to complete pre- and post-session activities. Learning will be heavily focused on community engagement through design thinking, with opportunities to continue building the skills introduced in the first phase of the program.
- Design Thinking for Community Action Projects: Working through a design thinking process, Fellows will develop a project roadmap to identify a community need, their idea for an approach to help meet that need, and the steps it would take to implement it. The Institute will award them a small grant to implement the community action project with the support of a mentor. Institute staff will monitor the funds, including tracking small grant deliverables to ensure that programming meets program goals and has a positive impact on communities served.
- Mentorship: Previous Alumni Fellows will serve as mentors to support Fellows to implement their projects. They will be responsible for regularly checking in with the Fellows, helping Fellows refine project plans, and supporting recruitment and other aspects of the projects. This mentorship component opens up an opportunity for Alumni Fellows to stay engaged in the program and empowers them to lead.
- Virtual Summit: The Virtual Summit in early December 2026 will include culminating activities for the program and an opportunity for Fellows to present their community projects to stakeholders.
Important Dates
- Application and Selection:
- Application opens: September 2, 2025
- Application closes: September 29, 2025
- Semifinalist notification: October 29, 2025
- Semifinalist interviews: November 3-14, 2025
- Finalist notification: December 15, 2025
- Onboarding: December 15-31, 2025
- Programming:
- Phase One (January-June 2026)
- MENA Workshop in late spring 2026 (location TBD)
- Phase Two (June-December 2026)
- Virtual Summit in December 2026
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to be considered:
- Applicants must have completed a J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative program. Alumni status will be verified with Stevens Initiative grantee organizations.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old and no older than 28 years old by the application deadline of September 29, 2025.
- Applicants must demonstrate moderate English language proficiency, which will be assessed through written responses and a recorded video as part of the application. Alumni are encouraged to apply even if they are unsure about their English level, as the Initiative defines moderate proficiency broadly.
- Applicants must have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection, microphone, and webcam. Limited funding may be available to help cover internet data costs for selected participants who demonstrate financial need.
- Applicants must have an active passport or provide proof that they have applied for one prior to submitting an application. Applicants must have access to a bank account registered in their name that accepts transfers from U.S. organizations in order to receive participation funds.
- Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to completing all Fellowship components, dedicating eight-to-ten hours per month for virtual learning and activities, and attending the seven-day MENA workshop (including travel days).
Application Resources
Applications for the 2026 Alumni Fellowship Academy must be submitted through this portal by September 29, 2025, at 5pm U.S. Eastern Time.
Please note, applications will require your resumé/CV, answers to short essay questions, demographic information, a passport scan, and a video introduction.
Interested applicants are invited to register for a special webinar to hear from past Fellows and ask any questions about the application process on September 16, 2025, at 11am U.S. Eastern Time.
Questions should be sent to stevensalumni@aspeninstitute.org.
The Alumni Fellowship Academy is supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
2026 Alumni Fellowship Academy
The J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI) invites alumni to apply to the 2026 Alumni Fellowship Academy, supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Alumni Fellowship Academy reflects America’s commitment to fostering leadership and innovation among young people (ages 18-28) in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa advancing shared priorities while preparing future generations of global leaders.
Building on the practical skills gained during their virtual exchange experience, Fellows will engage in interactive learning focused on skills for the modern economy, global competencies, and leadership. The program emphasizes communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking, equipping participants to apply these skills in real-world scenarios that create meaningful impact in their communities.
Program Description
Phase One (January-June 2026): Approximately 40 selected Fellows will engage in six months of thoughtfully designed virtual programming focused on global learning, professional development, and practical leadership concepts. This phase culminates in an in-person workshop in the MENA region (late spring 2026), where Fellows will deepen their skills through interactive, hands-on design thinking sessions. Following the workshop, Fellows will be invited to apply for the second phase of the Fellowship.
- Virtual Learning Sessions: Fellows will participate in a synchronous learning session focused on Fellowship learning goals and will be expected to complete pre- and post-session activities. The curriculum will focus on developing concrete skills, including intercultural communication, leadership, online professionalism, critical thinking, project management, time management, networking, and personal branding.
- Virtual Activities: Fellows will participate in small group, paired, or individual activities designed to deepen learning, prepare for program components, facilitate networking, and strengthen partnerships. These activities could include asynchronous projects, discussion boards, media sharing, or small informal virtual meetings.
- MENA Workshop: The MENA workshop in late spring (location TBD) will include culminating activities for the leadership curriculum. Fellows will work through an accelerated design thinking workshop to understand the foundations of design thinking and the process thoroughly.
Phase Two (June-December 2026): Twenty Fellows will be selected through a competitive application process to continue into a second six-month phase of advanced design thinking training, ultimately gaining the opportunity to bring their ideas to life through a community action plan project in their local context. Fellows will receive guidance from alumni mentors—former participants with firsthand experience—who will provide tailored support and assist in developing and improving project plans. The Fellowship will conclude with a virtual Summit in December 2026, where Fellows will present the outcomes of their leadership action plans, demonstrating tangible impacts on communities across the United States and the Middle East and North Africa. The Summit will also feature focused discussions and activities to foster collaboration and exchange ideas for future initiatives.
- Virtual Learning Sessions: Fellows will participate in synchronous learning sessions focused on Fellowship learning goals and will be expected to complete pre- and post-session activities. Learning will be heavily focused on community engagement through design thinking, with opportunities to continue building the skills introduced in the first phase of the program.
- Design Thinking for Community Action Projects: Working through a design thinking process, Fellows will develop a project roadmap to identify a community need, their idea for an approach to help meet that need, and the steps it would take to implement it. The Institute will award them a small grant to implement the community action project with the support of a mentor. Institute staff will monitor the funds, including tracking small grant deliverables to ensure that programming meets program goals and has a positive impact on communities served.
- Mentorship: Previous Alumni Fellows will serve as mentors to support Fellows to implement their projects. They will be responsible for regularly checking in with the Fellows, helping Fellows refine project plans, and supporting recruitment and other aspects of the projects. This mentorship component opens up an opportunity for Alumni Fellows to stay engaged in the program and empowers them to lead.
- Virtual Summit: The Virtual Summit in early December 2026 will include culminating activities for the program and an opportunity for Fellows to present their community projects to stakeholders.
Important Dates
- Application and Selection:
- Application opens: September 2, 2025
- Application closes: September 29, 2025
- Semifinalist notification: October 29, 2025
- Semifinalist interviews: November 3-14, 2025
- Finalist notification: December 15, 2025
- Onboarding: December 15-31, 2025
- Programming:
- Phase One (January-June 2026)
- MENA Workshop in late spring 2026 (location TBD)
- Phase Two (June-December 2026)
- Virtual Summit in December 2026
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to be considered:
- Applicants must have completed a J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative program. Alumni status will be verified with Stevens Initiative grantee organizations.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old and no older than 28 years old by the application deadline of September 29, 2025.
- Applicants must demonstrate moderate English language proficiency, which will be assessed through written responses and a recorded video as part of the application. Alumni are encouraged to apply even if they are unsure about their English level, as the Initiative defines moderate proficiency broadly.
- Applicants must have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection, microphone, and webcam. Limited funding may be available to help cover internet data costs for selected participants who demonstrate financial need.
- Applicants must have an active passport or provide proof that they have applied for one prior to submitting an application. Applicants must have access to a bank account registered in their name that accepts transfers from U.S. organizations in order to receive participation funds.
- Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to completing all Fellowship components, dedicating eight-to-ten hours per month for virtual learning and activities, and attending the seven-day MENA workshop (including travel days).
Application Resources
Applications for the 2026 Alumni Fellowship Academy must be submitted through this portal by September 29, 2025, at 5pm U.S. Eastern Time.
Please note, applications will require your resumé/CV, answers to short essay questions, demographic information, a passport scan, and a video introduction.
Interested applicants are invited to register for a special webinar to hear from past Fellows and ask any questions about the application process on September 16, 2025, at 11am U.S. Eastern Time.
Questions should be sent to stevensalumni@aspeninstitute.org.
The Alumni Fellowship Academy is supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.