The Ford Fund Fellowship 2024 Applications are now Open, inviting suitably qualified Entrepreneurs to amplify impactful ventures. This Fellowship is designed primarily for dedicated entrepreneurs committed to making a sustainable impact in their respective communities.
As the deadline for applications approaches on Monday, January 15th, 2024, aspiring leaders are invited to kick-start their venture’s growth through this fully-funded virtual program, generously supported by the Ford Motor Company Fund.
Ford Fund Fellowship 2024 – Details
The Ford Fund Fellowship is an intensive venture and leadership development program, it is well structured to empower entrepreneurs and community leaders. This program aims to equip the next generation of entrepreneurs with the skills, experience, and networks crucial for elevating their ventures to new heights.
Ford Fund Fellowship is a fully funded program, all thanks to the backing of the Ford Motor Company Fund. Hence, participants can immerse themselves in this virtual program without financial constraints, to the end that the focus remains on learning, growing, and effecting positive change.
Benefits of Ford Fund Fellowship
- Training Modules: Participants can anticipate a rich learning experience with weekly expert-led modules covering crucial aspects such as Foundations, Data and metrics, Go-To-Market, Funding, Team Management, and Pitch.
- Impactful Series: Renowned leaders, entrepreneurs, and practitioners become mentors in the Impact Series, sharing invaluable insights and experiences. This will help to add depth to the fellowship, enriching the entrepreneurial journey for all participants.
- Basecamp Workshops: This is a 2-day workshop designed and led by the Fellows themselves for their stakeholders and communities. This hands-on approach fosters a collaborative environment where participants actively contribute to the growth of their peers.
- Culminating Summit (June 27th, 2024): This community event serves as the culmination of the fellowship, providing select Fellows with the opportunity to pitch their ventures to local leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs. It’s the moment where transformative ideas meet potential supporters.
- Venture Development Stipend: A $40,000 venture development stipend is distributed among chosen Ford Fund Fellows based on their progress and impact throughout the Fellowship, offering a tangible boost to turn visions into reality.
Who’s Eligible?
- The Ford Fund Fellowship welcomes entrepreneurs and community leaders globally, with a special focus on those making an impact in China, Germany, Mexico, Romania, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- For those based in the United States, the fellowship is open to individuals creating an impact in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Louisville, and Memphis. If your location isn’t listed, explore other fellowships powered by the Watson Institute for diverse opportunities.
- Applicants should be entrepreneurs or community leaders deeply committed to creating sustainable, scalable impact. If you’re at the helm of a venture in mobility, transportation, or accessibility, you’re in an ideal position to leverage this fellowship.
- This fellowship is designed for those with an entrepreneurial spirit and a growth mindset. If your venture is in the Problem-Solution Fit or Product-Market Fit phases, with engaged customers and demonstrated outcomes, you’re precisely who the Ford Fund Fellowship is looking for.
Application Process
- Applicants complete the online application on https://bit.ly/40DBOra which takes approximately 45 minutes to finish.
- After this admissions committee reviews applications, seeking strong leadership qualities and ventures that are both innovative and scalable.
- Qualified applicants move on to a 20-minute one-on-one Zoom interview, allowing a deeper exploration of motivations and a better understanding of ventures. Interviews commence during the week of January 2nd, 2024.
- The most promising applicants proceed to the external Admissions Committee for final review and selection. They will receive notifications of acceptance on the 1st of February, 2024.
- Upon acceptance, successful candidates must confirm their commitment to the program. Enrolment completion brings an invitation to a “Meet the Cohort Webinar” leading up to the program’s commencement on March 4th, 2024.
Key Dates
- Program Timeline: From March 4th to June 27th, 2024; 16 weeks of transformative programming. Weekly virtual workshops, localized gatherings, and events create a dynamic learning environment.
- The 2-week virtual Immersive, starting March 4th, 2024, demands a commitment of 10–15 hours per week. This immersive phase intensifies the learning experience.
- The Deadline for submissions is January 15th, 2024.
