Melton Foundation 2027 Applications Open: Global Citizenship Learning Program for University Students

The Melton Foundation 2027 Applications are now open for university students aged 18–25 who want to develop global leadership, intercultural collaboration and community-impact skills. The Global Citizenship Learning Program runs online from March to December 2027, with selected participants able to join a fully sponsored week-long in-person gathering. Applications close on 15 November 2026.

The Melton Foundation Global Citizenship Learning Program (GCLP) is a fellowship programme designed for university students who are passionate about creating positive change in their communities while developing the skills needed to work across cultures and borders.

The programme focuses on the idea that addressing complex global challenges requires young people who can think globally, act locally and collaborate across boundaries.

Through the GCLP, participants develop their leadership capacity, expand their perspectives and work with students from different countries on practical projects connected to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2027 programme is structured as a ten-month journey, beginning with an onboarding period, followed by eight learning modules and a final transition period into the broader Melton Fellowship community.

What Participants Will Gain

The Global Citizenship Learning Program combines academic-style learning with practical collaboration and community action.

Participants will have opportunities to:

Develop Global Citizenship Skills

Fellows develop intercultural awareness, communication and critical-thinking skills through a programme built around multiple perspectives and empathy.

Explore Global Challenges

Participants examine issues such as inequality, privilege and inclusion, while learning how global and local challenges are connected.

Work Across Cultures

Students collaborate in international teams alongside fellow change-makers from countries including India, Chile, Ghana, Germany and the United States.

Take Action on the SDGs

Participants work with Senior Fellows of the Melton Foundation and community partners to co-create and implement projects addressing real-world challenges connected to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Gain Practical Skills

The programme provides hands-on learning through workshops, training and mentoring in areas such as:

Project management

Storytelling

Inclusive leadership

Systems thinking

Intercultural teamwork

Join Global Meetings

Actively engaged participants may receive the opportunity to attend Global Citizens’ Connect, described by the Melton Foundation as a fully sponsored, week-long in-person gathering.

Become Part of a Global Network

Successful participants gain access to the wider Melton community, which includes more than 650 Senior Melton Fellows.

The network can provide opportunities for continued collaboration, project grants, leadership development and career growth.

Who Can Apply?

The Global Citizenship Learning Program is specifically intended for university students.

Applicants must:

Be 18–25 years old.
Be currently enrolled at one of the Melton Foundation’s partner universities.
Demonstrate sufficient English-language proficiency to participate in discussions and engage effectively with other participants.
Have an interest in community impact and global citizenship.
Be able to contribute regularly to the online programme.

The foundation states that preference will be given to students who expect to remain on campus for at least two years from the programme’s start date, because local team activities are an important part of putting global citizenship into practice.

Partner Universities

Students from the following partner universities are invited to apply:

B.M.S Group of Institutions — India

B.M.S Group of Institutions is located in Bangalore and offers programmes spanning areas such as engineering, management, technical education and research.

Dillard University — United States

Dillard University is a historically Black liberal arts institution in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a focus on academic development, social justice and community engagement.

Universidad de La Frontera — Chile

Located in Temuco, Universidad de La Frontera is known for research, innovation, cultural diversity and community engagement.

Ashesi University — Ghana

Ashesi University is located in Greater Accra and is known for its emphasis on leadership, ethics and innovation.

Friedrich-Schiller-University — Germany

Based in Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-University has a long history in research and education across multiple academic disciplines.

Applicants should confirm their university’s participation and any institutional application procedures before submitting their application.

Programme Format and Time Commitment

The Global Citizenship Learning Program 2027 will be delivered primarily online.

The programme runs from:

March to December 2027

Participants should expect to contribute approximately:

3–4 hours per week on average

This includes bi-weekly meetings and asynchronous assignments.

Participants are expected to take responsibility for completing assignments and actively contributing to collaborative activities.

Global Citizens’ Connect

A particularly distinctive part of the programme is Global Citizens’ Connect (GCC).

Active and engaged participants may have the opportunity to take part in a fully sponsored week-long in-person gathering.

The event is designed to bring young changemakers together for cross-cultural collaboration, workshops and practical work on global challenges.

The in-person component gives participants an opportunity to turn the relationships developed online into deeper collaboration and shared action.

Programme Structure

The Melton Foundation describes GCLP as a ten-month journey.

Onboarding Month

The programme begins with an onboarding period designed to help participants become familiar with the tools, approaches and methodologies used during the fellowship.

It also provides time for participants to get to know one another.

Eight Learning Modules

The eight learning modules form the core of the Global Citizenship Learning Program.

They combine interdisciplinary, experiential and intercultural learning with practical activities and peer collaboration.

Final Orientation

The final month focuses on transitioning successful participants into the wider Melton Fellowship community, opening access to the foundation’s lifelong network.

What Makes the Programme Different?

The Melton Foundation describes the GCLP as a people-centered and action-driven programme.

Rather than relying exclusively on traditional classroom learning, participants learn through:

Peer support

Intercultural dialogue

Practical projects

Mentorship

Workshops

International teamwork

The programme also allows participants to shape their own learning journey by contributing their individual experiences, perspectives and strengths.

This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to students who enjoy collaborative learning and want to apply what they learn to real community challenges.

Application Process

The application process consists of several stages.

1. Application Form

Applicants begin by completing the online application form.

2. Guidelines and AI Usage Policy

Candidates should carefully review the programme’s application guidelines and AI usage policy before submitting their materials.

3. Local Assessment and Interviews

Applications undergo assessment at the partner-university level, followed by interviews where applicable.

4. Global Assessment Center

Candidates progressing further participate in a global assessment stage.

5. Final Selection

Final participants are selected after the assessment process.

Students with questions are encouraged to contact the Melton Foundation team at their partner university. Additional enquiries can be sent to info@melton.foundation.

Application Deadline

Applications for the 2027 Global Citizenship Learning Program are currently open.

Deadline: 15 November 2026

Applicants should submit their applications before the closing date and allow enough time to complete the required information carefully.

Applicants Outside the Eligibility Criteria

The Melton Foundation provides an alternative for young people who do not meet the GCLP eligibility requirements.

Its Global Solvers Accelerator is an eight-month programme designed for young social innovators aged 20–35 who are already leading community initiatives or projects.

The accelerator is open globally, unlike the GCLP, which requires applicants to be university students at one of the listed partner institutions.

Final Thoughts

The Melton Foundation 2027 Applications provide university students with an opportunity to develop leadership, intercultural communication, systems thinking and project-management skills while collaborating with young change-makers from around the world.

The Global Citizenship Learning Program 2027 runs from March to December 2027, requires an average commitment of 3–4 hours per week, and includes online learning, mentoring, international teamwork and practical SDG-focused projects.

Actively engaged participants may also have the opportunity to attend a fully sponsored week-long in-person gathering through Global Citizens’ Connect.

The programme is open to eligible university students aged 18–25 at participating partner universities, with applications closing on 15 November 2026.

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