The Chevening Clore Leadership Fellowship is calling for passionate cultural leaders like you to develop, connect, and lead. It’s personal, eye-opening, and it genuinely feels like the beginning of something bigger.
Brief Description
- Program: Chevening Clore Leadership Fellowship
- Coverage: Fully Funded
- Nationality: International (specific eligible countries)
- Degree Level: Mid-career Fellowship (Professional Development)
- Duration: Approximately 6–9 months (September to May)
- Host Country: United Kingdom
What It Is & Why It Matters
Imagine spending two immersive weeks in the UK, then taking what you learn back home, only to return again for more—this fellowship is structured exactly like that. It’s tailor-made for mid-career professionals in arts and culture who are ready to level up as leaders and make their mark back in their communities. What sets it apart? The mix of deep self-awareness, hands-on practice, and exposure to UK cultural ecosystems—all wrapped in real warmth.
At its core, this is a leadership development partnership between the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Clore Leadership, a respected institute focused on nurturing cultural leadership.
Check out: fellowship-2026-australia-up-to-aud-6000-funding/
Fellowship Overview
Duration & Structure
- Runs for roughly six to nine months—kicking off with two weeks in the UK around September, then continuing with an intensive return between January and May.
- The program includes:
- Two residential leadership courses, often held at Ashorne Hill near Leamington Spa
- Skills workshops beyond those intensive courses
- A secondment placement at a UK cultural institution—a live, immersive working opportunity
What You Gain
- A personalized leadership development plan shaped around your strengths and vision
- Rich insight into UK leadership practices in the cultural sector
- Practical, real-world experience via your UK secondment
- Networking, mentoring, and a supportive peer + expert community
Who Should Apply: Eligibility Criteria
Let’s break it down, because you deserve clarity:
- Must be a citizen and resident (at the time of application) of Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, or South Africa
- Hold at least a good UK second-class honours degree or have equivalent professional experience
- Boast minimum five years of relevant work experience by the time you apply
- Intend to return home at the end of your fellowship, bringing back ideas and energy
- Must have a good working knowledge of English—you’ll need to show this in your form and possibly at interview
- Do not hold British or dual British citizenship
- Not eligible if you’ve worked for UK government institutions or partners (e.g., FCDO, British Council, UKVI, associated universities) in the last two years
Check out: Czech-government-scholarships-2026-fully-funded-masters-and-phd/
What’s on the Table: Benefits & Coverage
This isn’t about partial support—it’s fully supported so you can focus on growth:
- Accommodation & living costs in the UK are covered
- Up to two return economy flights from your home country to the UK
- All travel-related expenses within the UK—for courses, secondment, and related activities
- Fees for courses and conferences are taken care of
- Training, development costs, and workshop access—all funded
Deadline & Application Timeline
The deadline for applications is 7 October 2025, 12:00 UTC. So, mark your calendar now and give yourself clearance to prepare everything thoughtfully—references, essays, that reflective spark that shows who you are.
Section Headings (from the model structure, adapted loosely for clarity)
- Overview
- Duration
- More about the programme (leadership themes like resilience, inclusion, sustainability)
- Eligibility
- Funding and benefits
- Hear from our fellows (though I’m skipping direct quotes to keep it human and fresh, but you can feel that vibe in personal stories shared by alumni on the official page)
Getting Ready: Your Application Journey
- Visit the official Chevening page for the Clore Fellowship and dig into the FAQs—they often tease details that add real polish to your application.
- Think beyond checkboxes. What drives you? How do your experiences in arts, film, museum work, heritage, digital media, or cultural policy position you to lead and inspire? That’s gold.
- Prepare your personal statement with genuine emotion and intent—show who you are, where you’ve grown, and how you’ll contribute when you return home.
- Collect two strong references—people who see your leadership, not just your job function.
- Apply before 7 October 2025, 12:00 UTC—serious late-night prep can happen, but early is way less stressful.
A Few Closing Thoughts
This isn’t just another program—it’s a chance to broaden your vision, test your leadership in safe, supported environments, and return home not just with insights but confidence and community. The UK invites you to grow, and in turn, you’ll bring back something richer to your own cultural ecosystem.
So, step in if you feel the nudge. Permit yourself to dream bigger, connect wider, and lead smarter.
Take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and start your application journey—Chevening’s Clore Fellowship could be the turning point you’ve been working towards.
Here’s where to go for the official application and full details:
https://www.chevening.org/fellowship/clore/
Wishing you all the best—and here’s hoping to celebrate your success soon. You’ve got this.