Enlight Fellowship

The Enlight Fellowship, supported by the Enlight Foundation and powered by the Watson Institute, is a fully-funded program designed specifically for rising leaders who are building solutions to improve youth mental wellbeing worldwide. The fellowship aims to empower visionary entrepreneurs committed to addressing critical challenges in youth mental health. It fosters cross-cultural collaboration and global impact by providing expert-led training, guidance from experienced facilitators, personalized mentorship, and extensive coaching. The program emphasizes that sustained impact comes from strong communities and continuous learning. Fellows gain essential entrepreneurial tools, strategic insights, and access to a powerful global network, enabling them to scale their ventures and drive meaningful change. Through this intensive experience, participants develop both their leadership capabilities and the operational strength of their initiatives.

• Fully-funded entrepreneurial leadership program
• Focus on youth mental wellbeing globally
• 16-week intensive development program
• Mandatory in-person immersive in Denver or Shanghai
• Expert-led training & personalized coaching
• Access to a global network of mentors & peers

This fellowship is for leaders aged 18 or older who are deeply committed to improving youth mental wellbeing. Applicants should be building solutions addressing youth mental wellbeing challenges in China and/or globally, with a strong focus on scalable impact. Ventures should have been operating for 1-5 years, have fewer than 10 employees, engaged customers, measurable results, and some prior funding (grants, investments, donations, or revenue). A full commitment to the 16-week program is essential, including a mandatory week-long in-person immersive experience in Denver or Shanghai, and participation in weekly virtual workshops. The program seeks individuals ready to grow as effective leaders, scale their ventures, and engage actively within a supportive peer community.

Enlight Fellowship is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for Enlight Fellowship closed on 5 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

The Enlight Fellowship is a fully-funded program, ensuring that promising rising leaders can dedicate themselves to scaling solutions for youth mental wellbeing without financial burden. While a specific stipend amount for the core fellowship is not detailed, Fellows receive comprehensive support that covers program participation costs. Additionally, a stipend is provided to support Fellows in designing and leading community-focused 1-day workshops (Basecamps), enabling them to deepen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in their local communities. Beyond direct financial aid, the fellowship provides invaluable non-monetary benefits including expert-led entrepreneurial training, personalized coaching, access to a global network of mentors and peers, and the opportunity to present ventures to potential investors and community partners at a virtual Summit. This holistic support package is designed to accelerate both personal leadership growth and the impact of the Fellows' ventures.

Enlight Fellowship is offered by Watson Institute, a non-profit organisation. It is delivered directly by Watson Institute as a fellowship. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

The selection process for the Enlight Fellowship is multi-stage and highly competitive. Initially, an Admissions Committee rigorously evaluates all online applications. This committee comprises experts from the Watson Institute and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, who assess candidates based on the innovation of their solutions, the scalability of their ventures, and their demonstrated potential for creating significant impact in youth mental wellbeing. Special attention is given to the clarity of their vision and their commitment to the program's objectives. Shortlisted candidates proceed to an interview round, typically a 20-minute Zoom conversation. During this interview, candidates present their entrepreneurial journey, detail their venture's growth strategy, and explain how the fellowship aligns with their personal and professional development goals. The final selection is based on a holistic assessment of the application, interview performance, and alignment with the fellowship's mission to support impactful leaders.

Before you apply to Enlight Fellowship, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.