The Impact Fellowships Summit (IFS) has opened its 2026 Call for Proposals, inviting fellowship leaders, designers, practitioners, and partners to contribute to the tenth anniversary edition of this flagship global convening. Scheduled to take place as a hybrid event from 27–30 April 2026, the Summit will bring together a diverse, international community committed to advancing leadership development and social impact through fellowships. IFS is the annual gathering point for professionals who design, manage, and support fellowship programs across sectors and geographies. The Summit serves as a collaborative space for learning, sharing, and co-creating innovative approaches that strengthen fellowship ecosystems and foster meaningful, long-term impact. About the Impact Fellowships Summit The Impact Fellowships Summit is designed to be a highly interactive and participatory experience. Participants both lead and engage in: Hands-on workshops Peer-led learning sessions Collaborative dialogues and discussions Through these formats, the Summit aims to surface new ideas, strengthen program design, and build lasting partnerships across the global fellowship community. The Summit creates opportunities to: Learn from diverse voices across regions and sectors Share tools, strategies, and stories that drive fellowship effectiveness and impact Connect with a growing network of practitioners dedicated to leadership development and social change The 2026 Summit marks a decade of convening this community, making it a milestone moment to reflect on lessons learned while shaping a shared vision for the future of fellowships. 2026 Summit Theme The theme for the 2026 Impact Fellowships Summit is: “A Decade of Connection: Shaping the Future Vision of Fellowships Together.” This theme explores how fellowship programs can evolve to: Respond to emerging global challenges Bridge social, geographic, and sectoral divides Strengthen belonging and inclusive leadership Amplify collective impact over the next decade and beyond Proposals are encouraged that reflect this forward-looking vision and contribute to collective learning and innovation within the fellowship ecosystem. Summit Dates and Format The 2026 Impact Fellowships Summit will take place over four days in a hybrid format: 27 April 2026: Virtual engagement 28 April 2026: Virtual engagement 29 April 2026: In-person engagement in Washington, D.C. 30 April 2026: In-person engagement in Washington, D.C. Plenary sessions on in-person days will also be available virtually to ensure broader access. Virtual sessions are recommended to be 60 minutes or less to support participant engagement and effective interaction. Call for Session Proposals IFS welcomes session proposals that foster: Learning and knowledge exchange Peer-to-peer sharing of tools and practices Networking and relationship-building across the fellowship community Proposed sessions should promote representative voices and diverse perspectives and be designed to encourage active participation rather than passive listening. Organizers are particularly interested in sessions that spark dialogue, reflection, and collaboration. A proposed session may serve as a catalyst for new partnerships, innovative ideas, or transformative practices within fellowship programs. Proposal Evaluation Criteria All proposals will be reviewed by the IFS Steering Committee using the following criteria: Relevance to the Summit Theme and IFN Mission Alignment with the mission and values of the Impact Fellowships Network, including leadership development, social impact, evidence-based learning, and community building Speaker Expertise and Diversity Inclusion of diverse lived experiences, professional backgrounds, and perspectives A broad definition of “expertise” is applied, welcoming practitioners and innovators at all levels Quality of Presentation Design Clear objectives and learning outcomes A well-structured session outline Engaging and purposeful content Audience Engagement and Shared Learning Plans for interaction such as discussions, Q&A, polls, or collaborative exercises Opportunities for participants to contribute insights and learn from one another The Summit aims to accept as many high-quality proposals as possible that meet these criteria and fit within the overall program schedule. Language and Accessibility The working language of the Summit is English English captioning will be provided American Sign Language interpretation will be available At this time, additional language translation services are not available Additional Information and Contact Individuals with questions or who require further clarification before submitting a proposal are encouraged to contact the organizing team directly. Why Submit a Proposal By contributing a session to the 2026 Impact Fellowships Summit, selected presenters will: Share knowledge and innovations with a global audience of fellowship practitioners Engage in meaningful dialogue with peers across sectors and regions Help shape the future direction of fellowship programs worldwide Become part of a decade-long legacy of collaboration and collective learning VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.