TOMA BAṜRE EDUCATION
Global work demands more than ambition. It demands preparation, discipline, and the courage to contribute.
An intensive international fellowship for qualifying gap-year applicants and students enrolled in technical, trade, college, or university pathways who are prepared to advance active humanitarian and community-development initiatives through applied research, operational planning, collaborative problem-solving, and, when applicable, selected on-site engagement.
MORE THAN A FELLOWSHIP
The TOMA BAṜRE Global Development Fellowship places emerging professionals inside the realities of international project development. Fellows collaborate across countries, disciplines, and lived experiences to research complex challenges, develop practical recommendations, and contribute work that may support active humanitarian and community-development initiatives.
Participants work alongside peers, TOMA BAṜRE EDUCATION leadership, industry professionals, community partners, and international stakeholders. The experience moves beyond classroom theory by asking Fellows to listen carefully, examine unfamiliar environments, accept professional feedback, and produce work with real-world relevance.
PROJECTS CONNECTED TO OUR WORK
Stage 3 • Active
Costa Rica
Stage 4 • Active
Afghanistan
Stage 2 • Development
Sudan
Stage 2 • Planning
India
Stage 1 • Planning
Location to be confirmed
Fellowship work may connect to these initiatives. Placement on a specific project is not guaranteed, and Fellows do not necessarily contribute to every initiative.
FELLOWSHIP AT A GLANCE
Approximately 10 Months
Fellowship Length
First week of October through the first week of August
175–300 Hours
Total Contribution
Estimated total contribution based on Fellowship title and responsibilities
65% Texas-Connected
Cohort Composition
The cohort is intentionally rooted in Texas while remaining globally connected
35% International
Global Fellows
Fellows living outside the United States
The Fellowship welcomes qualified gap-year applicants within three years of secondary-school graduation and students currently enrolled in technical, trade, college, or university pathways, whether they live or study in Texas, elsewhere in the United States, in a U.S. territory, or outside the United States. Cohort composition may vary by year.
CONTRIBUTE AT YOUR LEVEL
Fellowship titles reflect a participant’s experience, readiness, responsibilities, and expected level of contribution. Final placement is determined through the application and selection process.
All Fellows attend one required one-hour virtual meeting each week and complete additional independent and collaborative work according to their Fellowship title, track, project responsibilities, and active deadlines.
Estimated commitment: 250–300 hours
Analysts assume advanced responsibility for research, strategic analysis, project coordination, team leadership, and final deliverables.
Estimated commitment: 200–250 hours
Junior Analysts contribute structured research, analysis, planning, and deliverable development while building experience under the guidance of Fellowship leadership and assigned Analysts.
Estimated commitment: 175–225 hours
Researchers investigate assigned questions, gather and evaluate credible information, document findings, and provide the evidence needed to support project decisions and recommendations.
Participation varies according to Fellowship title, track, project assignment, deadlines, leadership responsibilities, and, when applicable, selected on-site engagement. Titles are not based solely on age or academic classification. Applicants should evaluate their academic, professional, family, and personal commitments honestly before applying.
FOUR FELLOWSHIP TRACKS
Each track gives Fellows a defined area of contribution while allowing interdisciplinary collaboration throughout the Fellowship year.
Applicants may indicate preferred tracks. Final placement is determined through the selection process based on experience, demonstrated readiness, cohort composition, and project needs.
THE FELLOWSHIP JOURNEY
Fellows progress from orientation and research to project development, professional presentation, and potential international engagement.
First Week of October
Orientation, Fellowship title and track placement, and introduction to the assigned project.
October–December
Community context, stakeholder research, applied research, and early-stage analysis.
January–March
Recommendations, project concepts, interdisciplinary development, and professional review.
April–June
Final deliverables, implementation preparation, portfolio documentation, and presentation development.
July–First Week of August
Selected on-site engagement and the Fellowship cohort's live virtual final presentation.
Download the complete Fellowship Overview for detailed schedule information, title expectations, track descriptions, and participation requirements.
BE SEEN FOR WHAT YOU CAN DO
Selected Fellows may present completed work before invited representatives from universities, employers, industry, community organizations, and TOMA BAṜRE EDUCATION's international network.
These presentations allow Fellows to demonstrate applied research, collaboration, leadership, communication, and project experience while developing evidence for future academic or professional use.
Professional Presentation
Present substantive work developed during the Fellowship.
Portfolio Development
Document research, recommendations, deliverables, and project contributions.
University Exposure
Share completed work with invited representatives from the academic community.
Workforce Exposure
Demonstrate professional capabilities before invited employers and industry professionals.
Participation does not guarantee admission, employment, an interview, recruitment, or a professional offer. Invitations and attendance vary by year, project, and participating organization.
INTERNATIONAL CAPSTONE & LIVE FINAL PRESENTATION
The Fellowship concludes with a live virtual presentation and, for selected and eligible Fellows, possible international on-site engagement connected to an active TOMA BAṜRE EDUCATION project or community partnership.
Selected and eligible Fellows may participate in approved international on-site engagement connected to an active project or community partnership.
Fellows participating on-site may engage with community partners, observe project conditions, present completed work, and support approved implementation activities.
The Fellowship cohort concludes with a live virtual presentation of its research, recommendations, deliverables, and professional contributions for invited academic, workforce, community, industry, and organizational representatives.
IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION INFORMATION
International travel and the live virtual final presentation are related but distinct parts of the Fellowship conclusion. On-site participation is limited to selected and eligible Fellows and is not guaranteed. Selection depends on project needs, funding, safety considerations, documentation, travel eligibility, conduct, Fellowship title, and demonstrated readiness. The final presentation is delivered virtually so invited guests and participants across multiple locations may attend.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Eligibility
Applicants must:
How You'll Work
Applicants must be prepared to:
What We Value
A note on educational eligibility
Eligible applicants include individuals in a qualifying gap-year period of up to three years following high school or an internationally equivalent secondary-school qualification, as well as students currently enrolled in technical, vocational, trade, college, or university pathways. Applicants may study full-time or part-time unless a specific grant, partnership, project, or cohort requirement states otherwise. The three-year period is measured from the Fellowship start date, not the application date. Employment during a qualifying gap year is permitted, but employment alone does not establish eligibility outside these educational stages.
A note on location
Eligible applicants may live anywhere in the United States, including U.S. territories, or outside the United States, and may attend an institution in Texas, elsewhere in the United States, in a U.S. territory, or in another country.
A note on English proficiency
Applicants do not need native-level or perfect English. Fellows must possess functional English proficiency sufficient to understand instructions, participate in meetings, communicate with teammates, read relevant materials, and complete written project assignments. Accent, nationality, and native language are not selection barriers.
READINESS ASSESSMENT
Complete this brief assessment to explore whether the Fellowship may align with your eligibility, availability, communication skills, goals, and working style.
MEET THE COHORT
Awardee profiles will be published following official cohort announcements.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Cohort
2026–2027
Application Deadline
October 1
Step 01
Review your eligibility, availability, working style, and general alignment.
Step 02
Provide your educational pathway details, background, interests, experience, availability, and project preferences.
Step 03
The Fellowship team reviews educational-stage eligibility on a pass/fail basis, then evaluates readiness, communication, experience, and cohort needs.
Step 04
Selected applicants may be invited to discuss their interests and potential contribution.
Step 05
Successful applicants receive a Fellowship title, assigned track or project area, and onboarding instructions.
Join a globally connected cohort prepared to research carefully, collaborate respectfully, and help build practical responses to real community and development challenges.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND NONDISCRIMINATION
TOMA BAṜRE EDUCATION welcomes qualified applicants across nationalities, cultures, identities, academic disciplines, and lived experiences. Fellowship decisions are based on program eligibility, demonstrated readiness, application quality, cohort needs, project alignment, and the applicant's ability to meet the responsibilities of the Fellowship.
TOMA BAṜRE EDUCATION does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.
