Written by Applications are open for the Melton Foundation Global Solvers Accelerator 2027, a 10-month leadership and peer-learning programme for young social impact practitioners working on projects that address social, economic or environmental challenges.
The programme brings together 15–20 emerging changemakers from around the world to strengthen their leadership skills, improve their social impact projects and learn through cross-cultural collaboration.
Applications close on November 15, 2026.
About the Global Solvers Accelerator
The Global Solvers Accelerator (GSA) is designed for people who are already actively involved in a social impact project, enterprise, research initiative, movement or community project.
Rather than focusing mainly on startup growth or fundraising, the programme uses peer learning, reflection, collaborative inquiry and practical project work to help participants examine their leadership and strengthen the work they are already doing.
Participants will learn alongside changemakers from different countries, sectors and backgrounds while working directly on their own community projects.
The programme runs from March to November 2027, with the core online programme scheduled from April 1 to November 30, 2027.
Who Can Apply?
The Global Solvers Accelerator is open globally.
Applicants should:
- Be between 20 and 35 years old
- Be actively involved in a social impact project, enterprise, research effort, movement or community initiative
- Have the ability to influence decisions within the project
- Be working on social, economic or environmental challenges
- Be able to commit approximately four hours per week between March and November 2027
- Be able to participate fully in the in-person Global Solvers Co-Lab
- Have sufficient English-language skills to participate in the programme
- Be able to contribute towards the programme fee, or demonstrate financial need when requesting a scholarship
You must already have a project or initiative to bring into the programme. The project can be at an early planning stage or already being implemented, but applicants cannot apply without a project.
Who Is the Programme For?
The Foundation says the programme is suitable for a range of social impact practitioners, including:
- Grassroots activists
- Social impact leaders
- SDG practitioners
- Social entrepreneurs
- Intrapreneurs
- Action researchers
- Community development practitioners
- People leading or shaping social and environmental initiatives
Previous participants have worked in areas including education, climate action, public health, civic engagement, livelihoods and disability inclusion.
What Participants Will Gain
Over the 10-month programme, participants will have opportunities to:
- Strengthen their leadership capacity
- Improve and refine an existing social impact project
- Learn practical social impact methods and tools
- Participate in peer-to-peer learning
- Receive guidance from trainers and mentors
- Develop cross-cultural collaboration skills
- Connect with emerging leaders from around the world
- Explore different approaches to social and environmental challenges
- Build relationships within the Melton Foundation’s global community
The programme combines online learning, practical assignments, collaborative inquiry and peer exchange.
Global Solvers Co-Lab
An important part of the programme is the Global Solvers Co-Lab, an in-person gathering that brings participants together for collaborative learning and project work.
For the 2027 cohort, the Co-Lab is tentatively scheduled for July 3–10, 2027, in Germany.
Participation in the Co-Lab is fully sponsored for active participants.
All other core elements of the programme are designed for virtual participation.
Programme Fee and Scholarships
The Global Solvers Accelerator is not completely free.
Participants who are selected are required to pay a US$900 programme fee.
However, the Melton Foundation offers scholarships covering:
- 20%
- 50%
- 80%
of the programme fee for participants with demonstrated financial need.
Applicants who need financial assistance must request a scholarship as part of the application. A full 100% scholarship is not available.
The scholarship request does not affect the selection decision, according to the Foundation.
Programme Structure
Online Global Solvers Accelerator
April 1 – November 30, 2027
The core programme will include learning modules, peer exchange, practical methods, project work and collaboration with other participants.
Participants will work on strengthening both their leadership practice and the social impact project they bring to the programme.
In-Person Co-Lab
July 3–10, 2027
The Co-Lab is scheduled to take place in Germany and will provide an opportunity for participants to meet in person, exchange ideas and collaborate on their projects.
The Foundation says this component is fully sponsored for actively engaged participants.
Melton Fellowship
Participants who successfully complete the Global Solvers Accelerator will be formally inducted into the lifelong Melton Fellowship during a fellowship orientation scheduled for December 2027.
The Melton Fellowship provides access to a global network of more than 600 Fellows working across different fields and regions.
Application Process
The 2027 application window runs from:
August 15 – November 15, 2026
The Foundation says the application is detailed and applicants should allow enough time to complete it.
After the application deadline, submissions will go through multiple selection stages. If an applicant advances to the vetting stage, the Foundation expects to contact their two references in early December 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 120-minute virtual assessment centre scheduled for January 30, 2027. Applicants are expected to receive an application update by mid-January.
Selected participants will begin onboarding in March 2027.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the official Global Solvers Accelerator 2027 application form through the Melton Foundation.
Deadline: November 15, 2026
Application period: August 15 – November 15, 2026
Programme: March – November 2027
Delivery: Online, with a sponsored in-person Co-Lab in Germany
Programme fee: US$900 for selected participants
Scholarships: Up to 80% of the programme fee
Apply for the Melton Foundation Global Solvers Accelerator 2027