Nominations
How to Nominate a Candidate
Nominations for Class VII are now closed. Thank you to all who nominated. To be considered for the Fellowship, candidates must be nominated by a third party and selected by the Aspen Institute. Individuals may not apply to the program. Nominators must complete a brief online form that demonstrates their nominee’s readiness for a broader leadership role and deep commitment to contributing to the region’s future. Share the Fellowship Brief with nominees for more information on the program.
Please note that nomination does not guarantee an interview or selection for the class. The Aspen Institute team will review and confirm eligibility of nominations on a rolling basis throughout the nominations period. Due to the high volume of submissions, not all nominees will be contacted by the team.
We aim to develop a robust pool of candidates representing leaders across sectors and across the Middle East from which we will select 20-24 Fellows. We look at several factors in assembling a class and selecting the right mix of Fellows. Sometimes even the most qualified candidates will not be selected if they don’t fit into the “mosaic” of the class. However, unless we determine that they simply don’t meet our criteria, they will be considered for future classes.
All Fellows must be able to attend all four seminars, without exception. Please confirm with your candidate prior to nomination that they can join the following dates:
Seminar 1: May 9 – 14, 2027
Seminar 2: October 17 – 22, 2027
Seminar 3: March 5 – 10, 2028
Seminar 4: October 15 – 20, 2028
Nomination FAQs
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR
Who is the ideal candidate?
We are looking for proven, senior leaders from across the Middle East, working in both the public and private sectors, who have already achieved considerable success and stand at an inflection point, ready to make a lifelong commitment to lead differently in the world. Ideal Fellows already have the platforms, resources, and capacity to create meaningful change. The Fellowship channels that capacity toward positive impact across the Middle East, amplified by the MELI and broader Aspen Institute networks.
We seek nominations for leaders ages 30–50 with diverse backgrounds, expertise, and ideologies. Fellows will bring a range of perspectives from sectors taking different approaches to addressing the region’s pressing challenges – including but not limited to economic development; arts and cultural preservation; education; civil society; technology; health; and women and youth empowerment.
COMMITMENT
What do you expect from Fellows?
Participate in all Seminars: The Fellowship requires each Fellow to commit fully to four in-person seminars held over two years, each lasting approximately one week.
Engage and Prepare During Seminar Gaps: Fellows prepare for each seminar by completing a set of readings. It is essential that the readings are completed before the seminar so all Fellows are ready to actively participate in discussions. Reading the seminar texts thoroughly contributes to a collaborative environment grounded in trust and shared purpose. Fellows may also meet virtually between seminars for additional support.
Commit to an Impact Journey: All Fellows commit to a lifelong Impact Journey. During the two year Fellowship, this looks like developing and pursuing an initiative of their own design that puts their values and leadership into action in service of their community or the region. Participation is provided at no cost to Fellows or their organizations. Through the generosity of the Qatar Leadership Centre and other donors, costs including seminar tuition, materials, and lodging are covered. Fellows are responsible only for their travel to seminar sites and incidental expenses.
PARTICIPATION
Is there flexibility in the requirement that the Fellow attend every seminar from start to finish?
Fellows must attend all four seminars in full to complete the program. The experience is intentionally designed as a shared journey, and full participation is essential to maintaining the trust, reflection, and continuity that define Aspen Fellowships. Fellows will get the most out of their experience when they are fully present.
Those unable to commit to the full seminar schedule will not be considered for the current class but may be eligible for nomination in future cycles.
Questions?
Contact the AGLN team.
