Our Accelerator Program

The Global Fellows in Courage accelerator program is geared toward emerging leaders with a proven passion for and commitment to justice for all. Our small-group approach—eight to twelve extraordinary fellows per cohort—focuses on deep and effective engagement and a commitment to shared learning, encouragement and support.

Fellows help chart a course for lasting change in one of several central themes:

  • Gender Justice

  • Environmental Justice

  • Life and Labor Justice

What makes a good fellow?

Fellows are in the early stages of their professional journeys, approximately 25 to 35 years old. They’ve established themselves as emerging leaders with several successes and demonstrated potential for much more (that’s where GFiC comes in). They are actively involved in their human rights work and are passionate about growing and expanding their efforts. Each fellow shares a commitment to full participation in all phases of the fellowship accelerator program and is able to fully engage.

What are the benefits of becoming a fellow?

  • Accelerate and expand the effectiveness of your work and mission

  • Build relationships with other inspiring fellows, leaders, mentors, and educators

  • Receive a $10,000 Global Fellows in Courage Award

  • Develop your understanding and practice of skills for leading change

  • Examine and expand your personal strengths and mindset for character-driven leadership

  • Earn a GFiC Certificate of Accomplishment

  • Receive ongoing Alumni support to advance your mission

Curriculum

Continuous learning is at the core of what we offer. Some content will reinforce things Fellows already know and some will offer new perspectives and understanding. The Fellowship will provide a seven-month virtual curriculum focused on leadership skills, personal growth, and organization advancement. Concepts include: leading teams, movements and change; building networks and partnerships; and friend/fundraising and communications for impact.

Connections

We are all most effective when we work with the help of others. GFiC offers a robust volunteer network of subject matter experts who will serve as coaches and advisors to Fellows. Each Fellow will be connected to advisors and organizations around the globe who share their passion and commitment to the work and bring them continuous encouragement, support and more connections.  

Community

When we feel less alone, we feel more emboldened and capable. GFiC will work to build relationships of confidence, trust and mutual support among Fellows. Learning from and sharing with each other in a cohort aims to build belief in each other and commitment to help each other on the long journey ahead. Over time, GFiC will build a global community of human rights leaders who support each other and collaborate to advance global change.  

Capital

Finally, in this pilot year, each Fellow will receive $10,000 upon successful completion of the Program. This funding will be unrestricted and can be utilized at the discretion of the Fellow to help them advance their work and mission. We will also work to connect Fellows to other potential funders that might be interested in supporting their work. 

How is the accelerator program structured?

The Inaugural 2024 Cohort will launch with a GFiC Pilot Program consisting of two phases:

PHASE ONE Virtual foundational sessions (3 hours each), two per month for seven months with independent preparation work:

  • Team building skills

  • High-level skill development

  • Identification of individual needs (fundraising, finance, operations, networking, communication, self-care, etc); preparation for phase two.

  • Connections with business leaders, academic leaders, funders, and media

PHASE TWO Ongoing GFiC alumni engagement: 

  • Continuous development of connections, knowledge, and skills for long-term success and global betterment.

  • Individual mentors partnered with each fellow to assure continued support.