Ashoka Fellowship funds social entrepreneurs with proven ideas for systemic change. You receive a living stipend (typically three years), training, and access to Ashoka's global network—but only if your idea is genuinely new and creates measurable impact at scale.
The Ashoka Fellowship identifies and supports the world's leading social entrepreneurs — individuals with powerful new ideas that create systemic change at scale. Ashoka Fellows receive a living stipend (typically for three years), professional support, access to Ashoka's global network, and connections to co-investors and impact funders. Ashoka Africa actively nominates and selects fellows from across the continent working in education, health, agriculture, environment, and economic inclusion.
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Ashoka uses a rigorous multi-stage selection process. After you submit, your application goes through initial screening, then moves to interviews and panel review if it passes. The fellowship is competitive, and selection focuses on the novelty of your idea and your capacity to implement systemic change. You should expect the process to take several months.
What reviewers look for
Yes. Ashoka funds SMEs, which include early-stage and growing social enterprises. The key is that your core idea must be novel and demonstrate potential for systemic change.
The stipend typically covers your personal living costs during the fellowship period, allowing you to focus full-time on developing and scaling your social innovation. Ashoka provides this for typically three years.
The timeline is not published, but multi-stage selection processes typically run 3–6 months from submission to decision. Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time.
Both are accepted. You can apply yourself or ask someone who knows your work to nominate you.
You gain access to Ashoka's global network of social entrepreneurs, receive professional support and training, and get connected to co-investors and impact funders to help scale your idea.
Guide written from the official programme page on 17 October 2026. Funders change their rules, so confirm the details on the official page before you apply.
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