Entrepreneurs Program and the 2026 USA Program, a fully-funded international fellowship opportunity designed for high-impact entrepreneurs who want to scale ideas, influence policy, and build global partnerships during the 2026–2027 cohort cycle.
This article walks international applicants through what this opportunity is, what it offers, who can apply, and the key deadlines they must not miss.
What kind of opportunity is this?
This is a fully immersive international leadership and entrepreneurship fellowship, led by Eisenhower Fellows (EF), bringing together international entrepreneurs and U.S.-based fellows in a shared, collaborative program. Selected fellows will spend nearly six weeks in the United States in Fall 2026, engaging directly with leading innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders while advancing their own fellowship projects.
What this article is all about?
This news alert explains the structure of the Fall 2026 Innovative Entrepreneurs Program, how it integrates international and U.S. fellows, the professional exposure and global network it offers, and what it takes to qualify. It is aimed at internationally active entrepreneurs looking to expand impact beyond borders during the 2026–2027 cycle.
What the fellowship offers?
The Fall 2026 Innovative Entrepreneurs Program is built around deep, hands-on engagement rather than classroom learning. Selected international fellows will begin with a residential experience in Austin, Texas, one of the United States’ most dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems. Here, they will collaborate closely with USA Fellows through workshops, structured meetings, and one-on-one exchanges.
Following this joint residency, international fellows will undertake customized travel across the United States, meeting top leaders in their sectors, strengthening enterprises, and advancing socially impactful business initiatives. Upon completion, all fellows enter the EF Global Network, a lifelong community of nearly 2,600 influential leaders from 118 countries, committed to continued collaboration and global dialogue.
Eligibility checks for international applicants
Applicants for the Fall 2026 Innovative Entrepreneurs Program must meet the following core criteria:
- Must be international entrepreneurs aged 32–45 at the time of application
- Must have demonstrated success in leading a for-profit enterprise
- The enterprise should generate clear and measurable positive social impact
- Must show strong leadership potential and openness to cross-cultural collaboration
- Must be available to participate in U.S.-based programming in October and November 2026
USA Fellows are selected using the same leadership and impact-based criteria, ensuring parity across the cohort.
Apply: https://www.efworld.org/apply-now/
Important deadlines you must track
Applications for the Fall 2026 Innovative Entrepreneurs Program and 2026 USA Program are open from December 8, 2025, to February 14, 2026. Application review and interviews will take place between March and May 2026, with final selections announced in June 2026. The in-person fellowship experience will run during Fall 2026, with some international travel for USA Fellows extending into early 2027