Melton Foundation Global Solvers Accelerator 2027

Applications are now open for the Global Solvers Accelerator 2027, the Melton Foundation's leadership, project-development and peer-learning program for emerging changemakers aged 20-35. Around 15-20 practitioners from different countries are selected per cohort to strengthen social-impact projects that are already running on the ground - including public health, community health and health-equity initiatives.

Program Structure:

• Core Accelerator runs 1 April - 30 November 2027 (onboarding in March 2027).
• Eight interconnected learning modules combining facilitated thematic sessions, bi-weekly virtual meetings, independent assignments, peer-to-peer learning and project-based exercises.
• Approximately 4 hours per week commitment; participants must maintain at least a 75% participation rate.
• Learning topics include project effectiveness, team dynamics, collective leadership, intersectionality, social innovation, regenerative practices, impact modelling, systems-based approaches, strategic visibility and monitoring & evaluation.
• Participants map their projects against the Sustainable Development Goals to connect local action with the global agenda.

Global Solvers Co-Lab 2027 (Fully Funded):

Actively engaged participants are invited to a week-long, fully funded in-person Co-Lab, tentatively 19-26 July 2027 - an intensive working experience to meet peers in person, examine projects, exchange practical knowledge and design new approaches to community impact.

Who Should Apply:

• Aged 20-35 years (any country, including Uganda).
• Actively involved in or leading an existing community or social-impact project - a concrete project or documented project plan is required at application; it must address a real community challenge, be grounded in a specific context, and continue for at least the duration of the program.
• Sufficient English proficiency and genuine commitment to peer exchange and reflective leadership.
• No specific academic degree required. Applications are submitted by individuals; teams should nominate one member to represent the project.

Past participants have worked across education equity, climate action, public health, civic engagement, livelihoods, disability inclusion, human rights, youth empowerment and technology for social good.

Program Fee & Financial Support:

Requesting financial support does not affect selection decisions, but late requests cannot be considered. Maximum-support applicants remain responsible for 20% of the fee.

Selection Timeline:

• Applications: 15 August - 15 November 2026
• Application and reference review: December 2026 - January 2027
• Virtual Assessment Centre: tentatively 30-31 January 2027
• Onboarding: March 2027 | Core program: April-November 2027 | Co-Lab: July 2027
• Transition into the lifelong Melton Fellowship after successful completion

Among 2025 participants, 94% became more intentional about collaboration and partnerships, and 91% reported a strong sense of trust and belonging in the community.

*Note:* The Melton Foundation also runs the separate Global Citizenship Learning Program (fee-free, ages 18-25) - but it is restricted to students at its five partner universities (Ashesi University Ghana, B.M.S. Group of Institutions India, Universidad de La Frontera Chile, Friedrich Schiller University Jena Germany, Dillard University USA). Ugandan applicants not at those universities should apply to the Global Solvers Accelerator instead.