Ashoka Fellowship

The Ashoka Fellowship is a lifelong, non-residential program operated by Ashoka, which selects social entrepreneurs as Fellows. Ashoka describes the Fellowship as continuing rather than time-limited. [128487, 128490, 128495]

Support may include a tailored stipend for up to three years if needed, customized engagement opportunities, increased visibility, and access to a global peer community. The stipend is conditional and needs-based, not a guaranteed payment for every Fellow. [128491, 128492, 128493, 128494]

Candidates should be prepared to work full-time on their idea, or to shift to full-time work upon election. Ashoka also recommends nonprofit-led legal structures and nonprofit control of related for-profit entities, while noting these structural considerations are not automatic grounds for rejection. [128496, 128498]

Ashoka's recommendation guidance considers social entrepreneurs whose work is already implemented, has positive impact, and is ready to scale beyond its current scope. Candidates are expected to work full-time on their idea or be ready to shift to full-time work upon election. Ashoka recommends nonprofit-led structures and nonprofit control of related for-profit entities, but says these structural considerations are not automatic grounds for rejection. [128496, 128497, 128498]

For the United States, Ashoka says applicants must be at least 18. Its U.S. page reviews organizations registered as 501(c)(3)s, independently or through fiscal sponsorship, and excludes a candidate whose organization is registered as a for-profit at election. Two or more years of organizational operation is described as typical, not an absolute minimum. [128500, 128501, 128502, 128503]

Ashoka lists customized engagement opportunities, increased visibility, and access to a global peer community as Fellowship support. A tailored stipend may be available for up to three years if needed; Ashoka does not describe it as guaranteed for every Fellow. [128491, 128492, 128493, 128494]