» Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Eligibility Requirements

Can I apply to become a Fellow? What are the eligibility requirements?

You can apply to become a Fellow if you meet the following minimum requirements:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
English proficiency (oral, writing, reading);
Age 35 or younger when the Fellowship begins;
Citizens from most countries (except the U.S.) are eligible to apply to the Fellowship. Please see information on current country restrictions below;
Commitment to return to your home country after the 12-month Blended Fellowship;
Commitment to addressing critical social issues in your country or region;
Commitment to living on a basic stipend that covers food, shared housing, and local transportation;
Two or more years of professional experience should be within at least one of our five main skill areas: 1) Communications and Marketing, 2) Monitoring and Evaluation / Data Analysis, 3) Operations & Human Resources, 4) Partnership-Building and Business Development, or 5) Program and Project Management.

Does Atlas Corps accept applications from citizens of any country?

All Blended Fellows are required by the United States Government to apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa for the U.S.-based component of the Fellowship. Candidates are eligible to participate in the Atlas Corps Fellowship if they are a legal resident and/or citizen of a country that has a currently active U.S. diplomatic post that is issuing J-1 visas.

Atlas Corps will determine whether a candidate is able to obtain a J-1 visa in their country by following the information provided by U.S. Embassies on their respective websites and our State Department partners. Some embassies and consulates have long wait times for visa appointments, while in other countries the U.S. has not had an active U.S. diplomatic post for several years. Since the operating status of many embassies and consulates changes quickly, we still encourage you to apply to the Atlas Corps Fellowship. During each placement cycle where we match semi-finalists with Host Organizations, we will only consider semi-finalists who have an active U.S. embassy issuing J1 visas during that specific timeframe.

I am a U.S. citizen or green-card holder (Legal Permanent Resident); can I apply?

U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are NOT eligible for the Fellowship.

Why do I need 2 to 10 years of experience?

Atlas Corps is dedicated to providing rising social change leaders with opportunities to obtain additional skills those leaders will require to have an even greater impact. Atlas Corps does not want to take highly experienced senior-level directors away from the important work they are doing and does not want to recruit students to participate in this program since they may not have enough relevant experience to share with organizations.

Do I need to work in the nonprofit sector?

The Atlas Corps Fellowship is designed for mission-driven individuals seeking social change. Competitive applicants will have 2-10 years of experience, and most tend to be in the nonprofit/NGO sector. However, the Atlas Corps Fellowship also includes individuals in business, technology, media, government, and other sectors. Those who are not in the nonprofit/NGO sector should provide examples of how they have integrated their desire for social change into their career. For example, a candidate in the business sector may be using information and communication technology to achieve social missions, bringing entrepreneurship programs to marginalized communities, or doing volunteer work.

I’ve mostly done volunteer work and/or internships. Can I still apply if I do not have two years of full-time work experience?

Our average Fellow is 29 years old and has 2-10 years of full-time work experience. Although we have admitted Fellows as young as 22 years of age before, these individuals demonstrated extraordinary dedication to mission-driven work through various volunteer and service opportunities. If you have had similar experiences, we encourage you to apply. Otherwise, the Fellowship is designed to be of greatest benefit to those with at least two years of full-time work experience. If you choose not to apply for this round of applications, we do hope you will consider doing so in the near future.

I’m older than 35 years old. Can I still apply?

Applicants must be age 35 or younger at the beginning of the Fellowship (Fellows can turn 36 during the Fellowship). Our general age range has been from 23-35 with an average age of 29 years old. Our research and experience indicate that the Fellowship is best suited for young, rising, skilled professionals as opposed to professionals older than 35 years old. The reason for this is that our host organization placements are more appropriate for someone with some experience, but generally not 12+ years of experience. In addition, by having a maximum age limit of 35 we are able to tailor our training program to a more specific age group and skill set. The compensation, the network, and the training are all geared more towards individuals who are approximately 23-35 years old, not older than 35.

What do you mean when you say a Bachelor’s degree is required? I don’t have a bachelor’s degree; can I still apply?

We require all our Fellows to have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. We say “equivalent” because education systems vary between different countries and the degree may be called different names. In the U.S., a Bachelor’s degree is a diploma awarded for successful completion of 4 years of a higher education (post-secondary school). In many countries, the equivalent degree is higher education of 3-5 years, depending on the educational system. At any rate, applicants must have a higher educational degree beyond the compulsory secondary school education.

I have a medical condition; should I still apply?

Yes, please apply to be considered for the Fellowship. Atlas Corps places a high value on inclusivity across multiple dimensions․ We encourage candidates of all abilities to apply. On the application’s question about accommodations, please describe the accommodations you may need to serve full-time in an office environment if selected to be a Fellow. Your answer will not affect your eligibility for the program․ Atlas Corps will work with selected Fellows to develop a strategy on a case-by-case basis. Please note that the travel insurance plan that the Atlas Corps Fellowship provides only covers new injuries and new illnesses that arise during the Fellowship, not pre-existing conditions, so Fellows are responsible for any costs related to the treatment of those conditions, including doctor visits and prescriptions.

Do I need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19?

As of May 2023, adult foreign national travelers arriving in the U.S. no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine. That said, many of our Host Organizations still require their staff to be fully vaccinated. Therefore, Atlas Corps will still request information about the vaccination status of candidates who reach the Semi-Finalist stage, in order to determine whether those Semi-Finalists are eligible for Host Organizations that have this requirement. Atlas Corps encourages, but does not require, Fellows to be vaccinated if it is not a requirement of the Host Organization.

Application/Selection Process

When is the next application deadline and how long does it take for Atlas Corps to review my application?

Atlas Corps considers applications on a rolling basis and year-round, but often launches special recruitment campaigns that prioritize the review of candidates with specific backgrounds in high demand. Please visit apply.atlascorps.org for new active opportunities.

Since Atlas Corps receives hundreds of applications each month, the overall vetting process may take 1 – 3 months to complete. For a timely consideration of their application, it’s recommended that candidates apply by a priority deadline if one is listed on the website for a specific opportunity.

What are some tips for a great application?

1. Context and Plain Language. Avoid the use of jargon and assume that the application reviewer does not know anything about your professional background, industry, and why the work you do is important. Include relevant background details and historical information to help the reader understand your background, and don’t use acronyms without first spelling out the full meaning.

2. Details and Results. Avoid vague responses that lack clarity. Instead, provide detailed and concrete examples that demonstrate the results you have achieved in your professional career. We want to know about your individual contributions to the goals and objectives of a team or organization. When appropriate, use statistics and numbers to support these claims.

3. Consistency. Highlight professional expertise, including social issue areas and skill sets, throughout your entire application, such as in the biography, essays, social issue areas and skills sections. Your application should tell a consistent story about your professional experience and what you’re passionate about. Ask yourself if there is a clear connection between your work and your goals in the Fellowship. If you have changed fields or career paths, ensure that your application clearly communicates this change.

4. Keywords and Statistics. Please answer application questions thoroughly, as using statistics and keywords in your response will ensure that your application is matched with appropriate roles. In the skills section, you should write out technical terms describing your expertise and the proper names of the software you are proficient in.

5. Passion and Social impact. Communicate your passion for one or more social issue(s) by describing what inspired you to address this social issue and why it is important to you. Connect your passion to the impact you’ve achieved so far in the social issue area and your intended future impact. We especially want to know how the Fellowship will help you address social issues and achieve impact after the program.

6. Tell the Truth. Make sure your application is truthful, complete, and accurate. In interviews, Host Organizations test the skills (including softwares) listed in your application.

7. Write a Strong Biography. Your biography is very important as it builds the first impression of your overall qualifications for the Fellowship. Be sure that it reflects your professional skills and relevant experience as well as social issues you’re passionate about.

8. Skill expertise. The most successful candidates demonstrate their expertise in a specific skill area throughout the entire application, including the resume, biography, employment history, and short essay section. If your application does not demonstrate at least two years of experience in one skill area, then it is unlikely that your application will be successful. Keep in mind the following when filling out the skills section:

Give specific details and examples when you’re describing your skills and interests. If you say you manage volunteers, how many volunteers do you manage? If you work in fundraising, how much money have you raised or how many successful grant applications have you worked on?
In your application, you can choose up to 3 skills that best represent your professional experience. The first skill you list (Skill 1) should be your primary skill-set in which you have the most education and experience (think what does my role title communicate?). Do you have other professional skills and experience complementing your primary skill? They could be marked as your Skill 2 or Skill 3.

9. Additional Guidance. Atlas Corps has developed additional tips for filling out your application’s biography and skills section. Please see this guidance below.

Biography Section Guidance: bit.ly/AtlasCorpsFellowBioTemplate

Skills Section Guidance: bit.ly/AtlasCorpsFellowSkillsTemplate

10. Understand the Terms and Conditions. Review our current Fellow agreement for the Blended Fellowship to better understand the benefits and responsibilities of becoming a Fellow. You can access it here: https://bit.ly/BlendedFellowAgreement2023.

How does the placement process with Host Organizations work?

Applicants apply not to a specific Host Organization, but rather the opportunity to be placed at one of our partner organizations. Matching Semi-Finalists with Host Organizations is a multi-step process. Once we receive a position description from a Host Organization, we send them the profiles of several candidates that could be a good match. They then pick candidates to interview and may assign tasks such as a writing sample, portfolio, or an assignment, after which they may pick a candidate for the Fellowship, or choose not to host a Fellow at that time.

Candidates should have two or more years of full-time experience in select skill areas (refer to eligibility requirements for an overview of those skills).

How long does the placement process take?

Atlas Corps receives a high volume of applications each year, and to give each candidate a thorough review, it may take up to a few months for our team to complete each stage of the review process. We review candidates based not just on eligibility and quality of their applications, but also on how well they fit with the desired profiles our potential Host Organizations are looking for at any given time, so some candidates may advance more quickly through the process than others.

In some cases, strong applicants may be selected for the Fellowship in as little as 3-4 months after they submitted their application. In other cases, strong applicants may be considered for multiple classes, potentially longer than a year, before matching with a Host Organization placement. Reaching the Semi-Finalist stage does not guarantee placement. Approximately 10% of candidates who reach the Semi-Finalist stage are selected as Fellows.

If you are offered a Fellowship after interviewing with a Host Organization, there may be a quick turnaround time between your acceptance and the beginning of the Fellowship. You would typically have around 4-8 weeks to give notice to your current employer before starting the Fellowship.

Can I request a specific Host Organization?

Applicants may indicate in their application or interview which organizations most interest them. However, we cannot guarantee placement at any particular organization, and in many cases, those organizations may be looking for a very specific candidate profile.

Can I contact potential Host Organizations?

Candidates should NOT contact potential or current Host Organizations unless they have been contacted by the Host Organization first. Atlas Corps is best able to explain the benefits and responsibilities of hosting a Fellow to potential Host Organizations. Contacting Host Organizations directly will jeopardize your candidacy for the Fellowship. If you already do work with an organization based in the U.S. and would like us to send a U.S.-based staff member information on hosting a Fellow, please send us their contact information (at apply@atlascorps.org); do NOT contact them yourself about hosting you.

I applied before September 2019; do I need to re-apply on the new application form that Atlas Corps launched in September 2019?

All applications from before September 2019 have been archived. If you want to be considered for upcoming classes, you must re-apply on the application form we launched in September 2019 (see apply.atlascorps.org for instructions). You will still have access to your old applications if you use the same login, so you can re-use some of your answers on the old form, but please read the instructions and questions carefully to take note of changes on the new application form.

I’m a Semi-Finalist but was not matched for the most recent class. What should I do?

After Atlas Corps completes placement for each class, we email instructions to Semi-Finalists who were not matched for that class, but are still eligible for placement, on what are their next steps to remain in consideration for the Fellowship. Usually, these instructions include updating your availability for the next class(es), and occasionally filling out a new application form. You must update your availability through your account every 2-4 months in order to have your application considered for placement with prospective Hosts. Don’t forget to also update your application with any new and relevant information. Atlas Corps will continually reassess Semi-Finalists to determine if they are still being considered for future Fellowship placements. In some cases, Atlas Corps may ask for additional information or another interview.

I was not a Semi-Finalist – can I apply again?

If you applied in a previous application cycle and were NOT designated as a Semi-Finalist, you may reapply, but you should only apply once a year. We recommend, however, that you take your time and fill out the application completely, with detailed and thorough answers. In most cases, you will need to start a new application. See apply.atlascorps.org for the most up-to-date information on how to apply. Please review the eligibility requirements before applying.

What documents or attachments should I prepare for my application?

The application process requires:

A copy of your undergraduate transcript or diploma: You will be able to submit your application without this attachment, but you won’t be able to move on to the final stages of the selection process until you submit it.
Two references: You will also need to submit contact information for two references as part of the application. Once you enter their contact information, the system will send your references an email with instructions on how to fill out our reference form. The reference forms do not need to be completed in order for you to submit your application, but you won’t be able to move on to the final stages of the selection process until your reference forms are submitted. Please choose someone who can comment in detail on your professional abilities․ Strong applicants choose supervisors/managers who can speak to their professional performance.
Samples of your work: You may be asked to submit samples of your work to provide evidence of your professional skills. See the Skills section (Part 8) of the application for instructions.

Attaching a resume/CV is strongly encouraged but not required. Test scores or certificates from past training are not required at this time. You will also need to have a valid passport, but you do not need to attach it to your application.

I’m having trouble submitting my recommendations. What should I do?

Within the application form, you can resend the reference form to your recommenders, and edit or delete the contact information for your recommenders. If you are still experiencing issues, email apply@atlascorps.org with the subject line “Recommendation Issue,” and explain exactly the problem you’re experiencing.

My recommender is not fluent in English. Can I send you a recommendation in a different language?

Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to translate letters of recommendation. Letters in English are required.

Fellow Experience

What is the “Blended Fellowship”?

As the world adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, Atlas Corps launched a blended Fellowship that combined virtual service from Fellows’ home countries with service in the United States. We first piloted this blended version of our classic Fellowship with our 39th Class in May 2020 and 40th Class in November 2020.

With many U.S. organizations evolving to include remote work, we have adopted a modified version of the Blended Fellowship model starting in 2023. The Blended Fellowship combines approximately one month of virtual service from Fellows’ home countries with approximately eleven months of service in the United States, along with in-person and virtual training through our Global Leadership Lab.

The total length of the Blended Fellowship (including the remote and in-person components) is typically 12 months but can be extended by agreement of the Fellow and Host. While the specific Fellowship structure for each placement will be defined based on the potential placement opportunity, the typical Blended Fellowship includes:

Service from Fellows’ home countries: Service from Fellows’ home countries: Fellows serve remotely full-time (an average of 40 hours a week) with U.S.-based Host Organizations until they secure their visa to travel to the U.S.. Fellows and Host Organizations determine a weekly schedule that makes sense for both of them, which usually includes at least 4 hours of daily overlap with U.S. business hours. During remote service, Fellows receive a stipend based on the local cost of living that would cover lodging for one person, basic utilities, food, local transportation, and financial support for the technology necessary to meet Host Organization requirements remotely. Atlas Corps would also support the Fellow in obtaining a U.S. visa during this time.
Service in the U.S.: Following the one-month remote service period, Fellows will arrive in the U.S. for continued in-person service with their Host Organizations. Host Organizations provide a working space for Fellows, and Fellows are required to meet regularly with their Host Organization in person, though most Fellows continue to have some level of remote service from their home in the U.S. depending on their office’s work environment. Exact schedules may vary between organizations. While in the U.S., Fellows receive a basic stipend that is only meant to cover shared housing, basic utilities, food, and local transportation.
Visa Preparation Process: As soon as Fellows are placed with a Host Organization and they accept the offer with Atlas Corps, the Fellows will start working on the visa process (before the program start date). Atlas Corps would provide support for the Fellow in obtaining a U.S. visa while reimbursing the Fellow for visa fees incurred. Some U.S. Embassies around the world are still operating at a reduced capacity, so there will be 3 potential U.S. arrival dates based on visa availability.
Global Leadership Lab & Global Network: In addition to full-time service at their Host Organization, throughout the entire Fellowship. Fellows will also participate in over 200 hours of in-person and virtual training through our Global Leadership Lab, and join our global network of 1,700+ social change leaders in 116+ countries.

Atlas Corps will reach out to individual Semi-Finalists who receive an invitation to interview for a Host Organization placement for a Blended Fellowship opportunity.

When does the program begin?

The U.S. Fellowship begins every three months. Typically Fellowships start in January, April, July, and October, but start dates may be modified based on health, visa, and travel guidelines. Each Fellowship begins with a one-week orientation program.

When does the program end?

Our Blended Fellowships typically last 124 months. Fellows and Host Organizations may choose to extend the Fellowship, up to a total U.S.-based Fellowship length of 18 months. Fellows must return to their home countries immediately after the program ends.

How many hours am I expected to serve at a Host Organization each week?

Fellows are expected to serve at their Host Organization full-time, or an average of 40 hours per week. They could also have approximately 1-2 hours of study and/or participation related to the Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab per week outside of business hours.

What does the Blended Fellowship provide?

Fellows – but not their dependents – receive:

Program-related international travel
Program-related domestic travel
Basic health insurance that covers new injuries and illnesses during U.S.-based service
Monthly stipend for basic living expenses in the city where the Fellow is placed (shared housing, food, local transportation, and a phone plan)
Documentation (DS-2019) that enables the Fellow to obtain a J-1 visa
Placement with a Host Organization
Participation in the Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab (leadership development training series)

What are the benefits of participating in the Blended Fellowship?

Professional experience with U.S.-based organizations gaining new perspectives on global issues
Engagement in a meaningful learning opportunity and supportive environment to learn best practices, collaborate across borders, and grow your professional skills
Development of skills to successfully work and lead across languages and cultures
Connections to a network of 1,700+ social change leaders from 116 countries
J-1 visa sponsorship and support with visa application process
Financial coverage of international travel, visa fees, travel health insurance, a U.S. phone plan, and support for basic living expenses
Approximately 200 hours of supplemental trainings and engagement in cultural orientation, Fellowship planning and reflection sessions, and leadership development through enrollment in Global Leadership Lab
Enrollment in career networks, which may include a Devex Career Account and a PCDN Career Campus Network Account, for 12 months
Support with planning your post-Fellowship career

Does Atlas Corps provide housing?

For Fellows serving in the U.S., Atlas Corps does not secure housing directly in most cases and instead provides Fellows with the resources necessary to help them secure their own housing. Once accepted to the Fellowship, the Atlas Corps staff will help guide Fellows through the process of finding temporary and permanent housing. Atlas Corps provides a relocation stipend for Fellows based on the cost of living. Atlas Corps has also recently partnered with a homestay program that provides optional temporary housing for Satellite Fellows. All Fellows receive housing during their initial orientation after arrival.

For the remote portion of the Blended Fellowship, Atlas Corps provides a basic stipend based on the local cost of living, which includes shared housing.

What is the Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab?

The Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab comprises more than 200 hours of experiential learning that is both theoretical and practical. At three, four-day training immersions convened over the course of the Fellowship in January, July, and October, Fellows participate in presentations and workshops led by innovative social change leaders who share practical strategies for social impact, as well as their own professional journeys. This professional development series intentionally combines hard skills like business planning and proposal writing with intensive workshops that explore critical soft skills like conflict resolution and leadership.

Helping develop the ability to see a better future, inspire others and implement innovative ideas requires a unique combination of awareness, knowledge, skill, and experience. Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab complements the Host Organization experience with the opportunity to develop competencies in four key areas essential for the next generation of global changemakers. These core competencies are interwoven with an exploration of foundational skills of nonprofit leadership.

How do you determine the living stipend?

As volunteers who are serving at their Host Organizations, Atlas Corps Fellows will receive monthly living stipends, not salaries. The exact living stipend amount varies depending on the specific city of placement, accounting for unique costs of living.

Stipend in Fellow’s Home Country: The living stipend provided to Fellows in their home countries during virtual service is intended to cover the basic expenses of accommodation for one person, utilities related to accommodation, food, local transportation, internet, local health insurance, and financial support for the technology necessary to complete host organization requirements.

The amount of the living stipend for the Fellow in their home country during their one month of remote service is no less than $1,250. The Fellow will also receive a start-up stipend of $650 to purchase any technology, equipment, or other costs required for their remote service. If you live in a city that is more expensive than the stipend of $1,250, please reach out to your Program Contact to request additional funds.

Stipend in the United States: The amount of the living stipend is fixed and is determined through an assessment of the cost of shared housing, transportation, a phone plan and food in each city. Stipends do increase overtime to keep up with changes in the cost of living in each city. Here are some of the monthly stipend amounts by the city as of June 2023:

Philadelphia: $1,602
Chicago: $1,717
Washington, DC: $1,941
New York: $2,121
Seattle: $2,121
Boston: $2,386
San Francisco: $2,729

What does the stipend cover?

As volunteers, Fellows receive a modest living stipend intended to cover only shared housing, food, and local public transportation. Atlas Corps also provides all incoming Atlas Corps Fellows with a SIM card and phone plan. The stipend is not intended to cover expenses you may have in your home country; eating out at restaurants; buying new clothes; or emergencies. While Fellows are able to keep their basic expenses (food, shared housing and local transportation) within the allotted stipend, many choose to bring additional funds for personal items, such as clothing, travel, or entertainment.

Monthly budgets vary from city to city, but a suggested monthly living budget for a Fellow in Washington, DC, is as follows:

Rent & Utilities: $1,080
Transportation: $120
Food: $500
Other small necessities: $241

Total $1,941/month

Upon authorization from the Fellow, Atlas Corps may also deduct money from the stipend each month to pay for any agreed-upon rent or housing deposit if the Fellow decides to stay in housing provided by Atlas Corps.

How much money should I bring with me?

Once Fellows arrive in the U․S․, we require that they deposit a minimum of $500, ideally more, into their U.S. bank accounts to help prepare them for expenses during the year that may not be covered by their stipend․ These expenses could include the security deposit on an apartment, furniture, clothing for cold weather, or medical expenses that are not covered by health insurance. A recent survey of Fellows suggested that incoming Fellows try to bring between $500 and $1,000 with you to meet common expenses that come up during the year that are not covered by the stipend. We only require that Fellows bring $500, but we are suggesting that Fellows try to bring as much as $1,000 with you if they can.

As an Atlas Corps Fellow, what type of U.S. visa does a Fellow get?

Atlas Corps is a sponsor designated by the U.S. Department of State to operate a J-1 Visa Program and provides documentation to secure a J-1, Exchange Visitor visa under the trainee designation. The goal of the Exchange Visitor Program is to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange. The Exchange Visitor Program provides foreign nationals opportunities to participate in exchange programs in the United States with the expectation that on completion of their exchange program, they will return home to share their experiences.

For more information on J-1 Visas, please visit j1 visa.state.gov.

What kind of issues or projects do Fellows work on at their Host Organizations?

Our Fellows work on a broad range of social issues, from education to the environment to human rights, and so on. The Fellow’s role and daily responsibilities at his or her Host Organization varies greatly from organization to organization. A Fellow typically deepens their professional growth in skill areas where they already have at least two years of experience. Before accepting the Fellowship role, candidates will be given a position description and an opportunity to ask questions to make the determination about whether or not a Host Organization placement is a good match for their skills, experience and professional development goals.

For some examples of what our current Fellows are doing at their Host Organizations, check out their biographies here.

Can I bring my family with me?

Atlas Corps discourages Fellows from bringing family members with them to the United States. Family members may visit the Fellow provided it does not interfere with work and fellowship responsibilities. Family members should not travel to the United States until the Fellow is well established in the Host organization. Atlas Corps does NOT provide financial support or visa sponsorship or documentation for spouses or other family members, and the living stipend and health insurance are only intended for one person. The Fellow is responsible for all costs incurred for and by family members, including the cost of securing a visa. Atlas Corps does not sponsor J-2 visas (non-immigrant visas). Most family members who visit Fellows in the U.S do so on a B-2 (visitor) visa since Atlas Corps is unable to provide documentation to secure a J-2 visa.

After the Fellowship, do I have to leave the United States?

Yes. One of the primary goals of Atlas Corps is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices between social change leaders in the U.S. and in other countries. This exchange is completed once a Fellow returns home and is able to share and apply what he or she has learned. Fellows are expected to return to their country at the end of their Fellowship; typically this is for two years unless stated differently on the visa. The one-year requirement is an Atlas Corps requirement. Fellows are required to leave the U.S. within 30 days of the program ends. Fellows may not come to the United States to participate in the Fellowship and remain in the United States after the Fellowship has ended. Program participants are expected to fulfill not only the terms and conditions of the Fellowship but also the home residency requirement directly upon completion of the Fellowship.

What does Atlas Corps do to protect the digital privacy and safety of its Fellows and Alumni?

The safety and privacy of our Atlas Corps Fellows are our top priority. We want to proudly raise the profile of our Fellows, but we do not want additional media attention to increase security concerns you may have in your home country. Therefore, Fellows may opt-out of some of our public media efforts before, during, or after the Fellowship. If a Fellow is concerned about their security at any point during the Fellowship, they can elect to have their profiles removed from the Atlas Corps website and/or to blog under an alias to protect their identity. Fellows can also opt-out of being included in communications to your country’s embassy in the U.S. and being featured in other public promotional material.

What organizations does Atlas Corps partner with?

You can find a list of our past and current Atlas Corps Host Organizations here. Please note that this list is not exhaustive; some organizations have chosen not to be publicly announced. If you want to know the organizations that are not publicly announced, you may email apply@atlascorps.org. Atlas Corps also partners with the U.S. Government to support certain special initiatives; however, the majority of our Fellowships are privately funded.

Remote Fellowship

What is the Remote Fellowship?

The Atlas Corps Remote Fellowship is a 12-month leadership development program for the world’s top social change leaders in their home countries. Fellows serve full-time remotely with Host Organizations to develop leadership skills and learn effective practices through the Atlas Corps professional development programs and networking opportunities with other Fellows

The total length of the Remote Fellowship is 12 months but can be extended by agreement of the Fellow and Host Organization. While the specific Fellowship structure for each placement will be defined based on the potential placement opportunity, the typical Remote Fellowship includes:

Service from Fellows’ home countries: Fellows serve remotely full-time (an average of 40 hours a week) in time zones overlapping with U.S. time zones (Eastern Standard/Daylight Time to Pacific Standard/Daylight Time) for 12 months. Fellows do not travel to the U.S. for in-person service and stay in their country of residence throughout the Fellowship. Fellows and Host Organizations determine a weekly schedule that makes sense for both of them, which usually includes at least 4 hours of daily overlap with U.S. business hours. During remote service, Fellows receive a stipend based on their country’s local cost of living that would cover lodging for one person, basic utilities, food, local transportation, and financial support for the technology necessary to meet Host Organization requirements remotely.
Global Leadership Lab, Virtual Leadership Institute, & Global Network: In addition to full-time remote service at their Host Organization, throughout the entire Fellowship, Fellows will also participate in up to 200 hours of virtual training through a combination of activities from our Global Leadership Lab and Virtual Leadership Institute. Fellows will also join our global network of 1,700+ social change leaders from 116 countries.

What are the benefits of participating in the Remote Fellowship?

Professional experience with U.S.-based and/or international organizations gaining new perspectives on global issues without having to leave your home or obtain a visa
Engagement in a meaningful learning opportunity and supportive remote work environment to learn best practices, collaborate across borders, and grow your professional skills
Development of skills to successfully work and lead remotely across languages and cultures
Connections to a network of 1,700+ social change leaders from 116 countries
Financial support for a laptop and other technology necessary to complete remote service requirements
Enrollment in career networks, which may include a Devex Career Account and a PCDN Career Campus Network Account, for 12 months
Support with planning your post-fellowship career
Leadership development training

When does the Remote Fellowship program begin?

Typically, Fellowships start in January, April, July, and October, but start dates may be modified based on host organization requirements. The full launch will take place in July 2023.

When does the Remote Fellowship end?

The Remote Fellowship lasts 12 months.

How many hours am I expected to serve at a host organization each week?

Fellows are expected to serve remotely at their Host Organization full-time, or an average of 40 hours per week. They could also have approximately 3-5 hours of study and/or participation related to the Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab or Virtual Leadership Institute per week outside of business hours. The Fellowship will be the Fellow’s primary professional engagement throughout the course of the 12-month Fellowship. A Fellow should not have any other professional obligation or employment greater than 10 hours per week during the entire Fellowship period.

What organizations does Atlas Corps partner with for the Remote Fellowship?

Atlas Corps launched its pilot partnership with Generation for the Remote Fellowship pilot. Currently, Atlas Corps is expanding partnerships to other remote-friendly organizations.

Remote Fellowship Experience

What does the Remote Fellowship provide?

Fellows – but not their dependents – receive:

Funds to purchase basic health insurance that covers new injuries and illnesses
Monthly stipend for basic living expenses in the country where the Fellow is working (housing for one person, food, local transportation)
Placement with a Host Organization.
Participation in the Atlas Corps leadership development programs, including selected Global Leadership Lab activities and Virtual Leadership Institute
Atlas Corps will provide financial support for the technology necessary to complete Host Organization requirements remotely from their home countries. This can include a stipend to support the purchase of a laptop.

Does Atlas Corps provide housing?

Atlas Corps does not provide housing directly for Remote Fellows serving in their home countries. The living stipend provided to Fellows is expected to be used to cover the housing costs of one adult throughout the Remote Fellowship.

What does the stipend cover? How do you determine the living stipend?

As volunteers, Fellows receive a modest living stipend intended to cover only housing, food, and local public transportation. The amount of the living stipend is fixed and is determined through an assessment of the average cost of housing, transportation, and food in each geographical region where the remote Fellow is located. Atlas Corps also provides all incoming Atlas Corps Fellows with the start-up and running costs of the tech equipment required to fulfill their remote duties throughout their Fellowship.

The stipend is not intended to cover expenses such as eating out at restaurants, buying new clothes, or entertainment. While Fellows are able to keep their basic expenses within the allotted stipend, many choose to use their savings beyond this for personal items, such as clothing, travel, or entertainment. The living stipend is intended for one person, and Atlas Corps does not provide additional financial support to Fellows’ families.

Monthly budgets vary from country to country. Fellows are expected to be able to budget their expenses using the living stipend. Here are the projected monthly stipend ranges by region based on historical data, with exact amounts determined by individual Fellow’s requirements and our cost of living estimation based on your city of residence:

Latin America: $850-1,000 USD
Central and Western Europe: $1,250-1,400 USD
Eastern and Southern Europe: $1,000-1,150 USD
North Africa: $850-1,000 USD
Sub-Saharan Africa: $900-1,050 USD
South East Asia: $850-1,000 USD
Middle East: $1,050-1,200 USD

What professional development do Fellows receive during the Remote Fellowship?

Fellows will participate in up to 200 hours of virtual professional development through a combination of activities from our Global Leadership Lab and Virtual Leadership Institute, which complement the Host Organization experience with the opportunity to develop competencies in key areas essential for the next generation of global changemakers. Both of these opportunities are organized into five learning modules: Orientation, Developing Self, Developing Others, Leading Movements, and Reflection. In Global Leadership Lab, Fellows will receive support from their peers and Atlas Corps staff on strategies for success at their Host Organizations, and they will participate in presentations and workshops led by innovative social change leaders who share practical strategies for social impact, as well as their own professional journeys. In the Virtual Leadership Institute, Fellows will participate in interactive workshops, self-led activities, discussion groups, and community-building activities with Atlas Corps Scholars. These professional development programs explore key leadership skills like peer coaching, agile planning, storytelling for social change, and individual branding, alongside peers in our network of 1,700+ social change leaders.

Eligibility Requirements and Selection Process

What are the minimum eligibility requirements for the Remote Fellowship?

The eligibility requirements are similar to the requirements of the Blended Fellowship (https://atlascorps.org/faq/#become), with some exceptions detailed below:

No Visa Requirement: Since participation in the Remote Fellowship is not visa-dependent, candidates are eligible to participate in the Atlas Corps Fellowship if they are a legal resident and/or citizen of any country.
Time Requirement: Candidates must commit to completing the 12-month Remote Fellowship of 40 hours per week from their country of residence with weekly schedules that partially overlap with US time zones (typically Pacific Standard/Daylight Time or Eastern Standard/Daylight Time).
Internet Requirement: Candidates must have access to stable internet connection for video calls and to use other software programs during the hours of the Fellowship. Atlas Corps will provide financial support for the technology necessary to complete Host Organization requirements remotely from their home countries.

How do I apply for the Remote Fellowship? Can I be considered for the Remote Fellowship and the In-Person or Blended Fellowship at the same time?

Candidates for the Atlas Corps Fellowship that reach the Semi-Finalist stage may be considered for both the Remote and Blended Fellowships. On your application form for the Fellowship, you can indicate which program opportunities you are interested in.

Atlas Corps will use information from a Semi-Finalist’s application, especially the biography and skills sections, to select candidates who fit the desired profiles for placement interviews with partner organizations.

Remote Fellowship Pilot with Generation

In October of 2022, Atlas Corps partnered with Generation to launch our remote pilot program. The pilot program created the inspiration to expand our Fellowship offering to include a wider variety of organizations and applicants.

Why did Atlas Corps partner with Generation to launch the Remote Fellowship Pilot?

Over the course of the pandemic, many organizations worldwide have begun to accept that talent is everywhere and opportunity can be too! These organizations are shifting their modes of working towards a hybrid or remote mode. We believe that a remote Fellowship can offer the opportunity for longer-term employment opportunities at a host organization or serve as a great signal to global employers remotely or in-person down the line regardless of background and location, just based on your talent.
We have been carrying out this remote Fellowship pilot together with virtual-first organization Generation, a global leader in training, placement, and support to help people find life-changing careers.
Generation is open to considering Atlas Corps as a regular and annual source for their fellows if this pilot is successful, creating the scope for a long-term partnership.
Generation is a fully remote company with a global mindset able to manage people across time zones and very engaged in impact measurement of their work.

Why should you participate in the Remote Fellowship with Generation?

We know from research that working in a professional global environment boosts the productivity of staff regardless of their background and previous training. Generation is such an organization and a great place to work and enhance your skills and your career! Generation has recently been ranked 74th in their annual global list of the top 200 social good organizations, placing it in the company of top employers such as BRAC, Teach for America, and the Global Fund.
Develop the skills to successfully work and lead remotely across languages and cultures is a key skill for the 21st century.
Gain experience working internationally and develop new perspectives on global issues as you will serve directly with a global and diverse team focused on an important mission to help people find life-changing careers.
Get hands-on learning with a leading professional development organization
Become part of a global network of 1,700+ social change leaders from 116 countries.
Receive close to 200 hours of leadership development training.
With a virtual pilot, you are not restricted by the U.S. visa regulations or returning to home countries, and a fellowship like this can create pathways to permanent employment or into the international social change job market.

Virtual Leadership Institute

What is the Virtual Leadership Institute?

The Atlas Corps Virtual Leadership Institute is an online learning community for global social change leaders based on the established Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab. Participants, known as Atlas Corps Scholars, enhance their professional skills and build their global networks. Read more about our Virtual Leadership Institute here.

What are the benefits of participating in the Virtual Leadership Institute?

Atlas Corps Scholars will enhance their professional skills, build their global networks with other Scholars and Atlas Corps Fellows, gain access to selected trainings within the Atlas Corps Global Leadership Lab, and receive guidance on an individual project focused on their own professional development and/or on positive social impact for the community they serve.

What is the time commitment of the Virtual Leadership Institute?

Atlas Corps Scholars should expect to spend approximately 3 to 5 hours per week on online activities and assignments over 6 months. The activities will include a mix of live and asynchronous sessions.

How do I apply for the Virtual Leadership Institute?

Please visit apply.atlascorps.org to find out if Atlas Corps is accepting applications for the Virtual Leadership Institute. Atlas Corps implements a different selection process for the Virtual Leadership Institute with a shortened application and specific eligibility criteria that is highlighted on the web page of each opportunity.

Candidates for the Atlas Corps Fellowship that reach the Semi-Finalist stage may also be considered for the Virtual Leadership Institute and can indicate their interest in the Institute when filling out the Fellowship application. Atlas Corps will contact eligible Semi-Finalists when there are opportunities to join the Virtual Leadership Institute, and candidates may be requested to complete supplemental questions.

Can I be considered for the Virtual Leadership Institute and the Atlas Corps Fellowship at the same time?

Yes. If you submit applications for both the Fellowship and Virtual Leadership Institute, you can be considered for both programs simultaneously.

You can remain under consideration for the Fellowship while participating in the Virtual Leadership Institute. If you are selected for the Fellowship, you may choose to remain in the Virtual Leadership Institute, since the time commitment is only 3 to 5 hours per week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Eligibility Requirements

Application/Selection Process

Fellow Experience

Remote Fellowship

Remote Fellowship Experience

Remote Fellowship Pilot with Generation

Virtual Leadership Institute

Eligibility Requirements

Application/Selection Process

Fellow Experience

Remote Fellowship

Remote Fellowship Experience

Eligibility Requirements and Selection Process

Remote Fellowship Pilot with Generation

Virtual Leadership Institute

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