Mountaintop Social Impact Executive Fellowship (SIEF) 2026

If you are an executive leading a mission-driven institution and seeking structured support to deepen your impact — the Mountaintop Social Impact Executive Fellowship (SIEF) 2026 is now open for applications. This is your chance to step back from daily pressures, invest in your leadership growth, and join a global network of change-makers. Details in this article.

🎯 Fellowship Summary

• Location: Hybrid (online + in-person at Harvard, Cambridge, MA)

• Implementing Institution: Mountaintop International, in partnership with Harvard’s Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics

• Duration: 12 months (July 2026 – June 2027)

• Target Group: Executives and senior leaders in government, nonprofits, philanthropy, and education guiding institutions with social purpose

• Fields & Focus: Social impact, systems change, organizational leadership, public good sectors (not discipline-limited)

• Cost: Tuition of USD 4,000 (covers program costs)

• Costs Not Covered: Travel, visa, accommodation, meals for the in-person residential institute are borne by fellows.

• Application Deadline: December 14, 2025

• Fellowship Start: July 2026

• Who Is Eligible: Global leaders in the social sector (early-mid to senior), and institutions may nominate staff.

🧭 Fellowship Overview & Structure

Phase 1: Online Preparation (Feb – June 2026)

• Fellows engage in foundational virtual modules (adaptive leadership, systems thinking, relationship building)

• Work with Mountaintop to plan visa, design individualized leadership growth plans

• Estimated time commitment: up to 5 hours/month 

Phase 2: In-Person Leadership Institute (July 9–23, 2026 | Cambridge, MA)

• Two full weeks at Harvard’s Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics

• Activities include:

  • Expert-led breakout sessions: operations, culture, nonprofit finance, scaling, theory of change, etc.

  • Adaptive leadership labs with faculty from Harvard Kennedy School

  • Workshops and dialogues: trust in crisis, evaluation, storytelling, movement building

  • Site visits: Massachusetts State House, Partners in Health, and more

  • Peer engagement, faculty dialogue, immersive experiential learning

Phase 3: Mentorship & Virtual Convenings (Aug 2026 – June 2027)

• One-on-one executive mentorship (through Mentor Office Hours)

• Monthly expert sessions, quarterly workshops, and a virtual retreat to apply learning

• Ongoing peer exchanges and cohort strengthening

Phase 4: Beyond the Fellowship

• Fellows receive an executive certificate from Mountaintop

• Access to Mountaintop’s lifelong global alumni network (175+ countries)

• Continued opportunities for collaboration, resource sharing, and convenings with peers and mentors

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

• World-class faculty engagements (Harvard Business, Kennedy, etc.) and distinguished practitioners (e.g. Nobel laureates)

• Rigorous executive development via mentoring, coaching, peer exchange, leadership labs

• Tools, frameworks, and strategies for systems-level leadership and organizational strengthening

• Global network and peer connections that outlast the formal program

• By past cohorts’ reporting: increased organizational scale, staff growth, revenue growth, and deep leadership development

✅ Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Who Should Apply

• Leaders globally working in the social sector (governments, NGOs, philanthropy, education)

• Early- to mid-career professionals who are stepping into heavier leadership roles

• Seasoned executives seeking to sharpen strategy, increase influence, and scale impact

• Institutions may nominate their staff members as candidates

• Encouragement for gender-balanced and diverse cohorts

🔍 Selection Criteria (inferred / typical)

• Demonstrated track record in social impact or leadership

• Clarity of vision and commitment to systems transformation

• Capacity to absorb and apply learning (organizationally and individually)

• Stakeholder support (especially for travel and time commitment)

📝 Application Procedure

1. Online Application via Mountaintop’s portal

2. Written responses / essays addressing leadership journey, challenges, vision

3. CV / Resumé

4. Possibly institutional nomination or employer support (if applicable)

5. References / recommendation letters

6. Interview (if shortlisted)

7. Acceptance & payment of first tuition installment (USD 2,000 after selection)

Be sure to read the full eligibility and FAQ section on the official site.

💡 Tips & Additional Notes

• The tuition fee of USD 4,000 covers program costs (institute, mentoring, workshops) but does not cover travel, lodging, meals, and visa expenses.

• Many fellows secure funding via employer sponsorship, CSR funds, personal investment, or partner foundations.

• The two-week in-person institute is immersive and intensive — plan for full-time commitment then

• Even though the program is global, logistical support (visa guidance, accommodation suggestions) is offered to ease the process

• Competition is high; cohort sizes are small to ensure depth and close access to faculty

• The returns are not only at personal leadership level, but often ripple into organizational transformation through systems thinking

🔗 Details & Apply

---