How to Become A Fellow: Frequently Asked Questions

1.  How can I apply?

Actually, you can’t apply.  Fellows are nominated by respected members of their community, board members of the Fellowship initiatives, or other Fellows from the initiatives.

2.  Who can nominate?

Anyone can nominate a Fellow.

3.  What are the qualifications?

Ideal candidates are entrepreneurial professionals, primarily from the business sector, who are at an inflection point in their lives or careers – i.e. having already achieved professional success, they are ready to consider what broader leadership role they might take on in their community, country or region.  They should be between the ages of 30-45 when nominated and possess a proven track-record of leadership and entrepreneurial success as well as a demonstrated potential for even greater leadership.  They should have a breadth of experience and a level of maturity that will enable them to contribute effectively to the seminar experience; this includes an ability to listen and learn from their peers.  For geographically-based programs, with a few rare exceptions, candidates should live in the relevant region.

In the majority of Fellowships they will be required to take on a leadership project to address an issue they see in their community.  In some cases, such as, the Catto Environmental Fellowship Program and the Aspen-NewSchools Entrepreneurial Leaders for Public Education program, Fellows are asked to do a group project to tackle a specific education or environmental challenge in a collaborative way. In others they will be asked to reach across the aisle as is the case with the Rodel Fellowship for publicly elected officials.

4.  How do I nominate a Fellow?

See www.aspeninst.org/leadership and find the initiative you would like to nominate a Fellow for.  Each initiative should have instructions for their unique nomination process.  Some accept nominations on a rolling basis, others have an open nomination period

5.  How are Fellows selected?

A committee of the board from each of the programs is involved in the selection process.  Each program looks at several factors in selecting a class and selecting the right mosaic is among them.  Sometimes even the most qualified candidates will not be selected if they don't fit into the mosaic for that year, however they will be considered for future classes.  A combination of factors such diversity of class among geography, gender, ethnicity, religion, industry and sector play a part in the final selection.