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“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
— R. Buckminster Fuller

The Fellows

If you’re a proven doer and believe you know where the world should aim next, you’re a Mira Fellow. We’re looking for mid-career applicants with a proven track record, an undying need to sink their teeth deep into a specific problem, and the openness to reframe their assumptions to find a new solution.

Selected Mira Fellows will work individually and gather several times during the Fellowship to share their research and build on each other’s ideas. It’s a deep dive mixed with a little creative structure and a small group of excellent people.

    1. Are observant

    2. Are flexible yet determined enough to push through rough patches

    3. Enjoy working collaboratively

    4. Seek other perspectives

    5. Are deeply knowledgeable in your field

    6. Are an established professional - You’ve done something and you want to do something more

    Click here for more of what a Mira Fellow looks like.

    Know someone who fits the bill? Nominate them below!

  • The application window is open! We encourage you to prepare your application materials in advance as described below. Once you are ready, visit our online application form to upload your materials.

    The application window closes June 1, 2025.

    If you have any questions don’t hesitate to drop us a line at info@mirafellowship.org.

  • Here is an overview of the application materials. For additional details, review our Application Guidelines.

    1. Video Statement (2 minutes or less)

    Tell us a simple story about something that happened to you recently. A trip to the store. A vacation. Meeting a new friend. The story should be two minutes or less. We’re interested in how you tell the story more than how “good” the story is. This doesn’t have to be high production value. Using your phone is fine. Just make sure you’re not in a noisy place. Please upload this to YouTube or a similar platform and make sure your video is set to public or unlisted. You will be asked to include the link to your video in the application form. 

    2. Work Experience (Resume)

    Outline your work history with a classic resume. You will be prompted to upload this to your application form as a single PDF.

    3. Written and Visual Materials (Sample Submission)

    You will be prompted to upload a single PDF that includes all of the following:

    • Idea Description, Impact Goals & Timeline  (500 words or less)

      You have an idea that’s been knocking around in your head that will make the world a better place. What is it? How will it change the world? What are your impact goals? And what’s a rough timeline for what you will complete during the Fellowship?

    • Idea Impact Visual (250 words or less)

      Make a visual representation of how the world will be different after your idea is implemented. A quick drawing, a photograph, anything that might communicate the result of your vision.

    • Resource Analysis (500 words or less)

      If you had all the resources you needed, what would the next three years look like? Outline in as much detail as possible the resources you have, the resources you need, and the milestones you’ll achieve.

    • Why You? (500 words or less)

      Why does this work matter to you and why are you uniquely qualified to solve this problem?

    • Why Now? (500 words or less)

      Every idea that changed the course of history had a person or group of people who believed it had to happen now. This deep sense of conviction carried them through the toughest moments in their work and attracted others to help them make their dream a reality. Why do YOU need to be doing this work and why does it need to begin NOW — to happen in the next year? Please be audacious and bold.

    4. Proof of Payment

    Submit your application fee via Qgiv prior to submitting your application form. You'll receive a receipt with a transaction ID that you can copy and paste into the appropriate section.

  • Application fees are collected on Qgiv:

    • Before April 30:  Early Bird Deadline - $0 - FREE

    • May 1-May 15:  Regular Deadline - $10

    • May 16-June 1:  Last Call Deadline - $20

    All applicants are asked to register on Qgiv prior to completing the application form, even if applying when there is no fee or if a fee waiver request has been granted.

    Submit your application fee via Qgiv prior to submitting your application form. You'll receive a receipt with a transaction ID that you can copy and paste into the appropriate section.

    *We do not want the application fee to be a barrier that prevents you from applying. If it presents a hardship, please reach out to the Mira Fellowship Team at info@mirafellowship.org.

  • After submitting your application and fee, the Mira Team will review submissions and contact you by email. Here is a high-level overview of the process for your reference:

    • June 1: Application period ends

    • June-July: Interviews of top applicants (virtual)

    • Mid-July: Finalists selected and all applicants notified of application decision by email

    • July 31-August 1: Finalists’ Event (virtual)

    • Mid-August: 2026 Fellows selected

    • October 4 or 5: Mira Fellowship 2026 Cohort Launch Event (virtual)

    If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us at info@mirafellowship.org.

  • Q. My project has a cofounder. Can we make a joint application for the Mira Fellowship?

    A. Great question! We encourage you to either choose one of the two of you to apply, or for you to each apply separately. The fellowship is definitely designed for individuals, although it is not uncommon for someone to be working closely with a cofounder or an organization as a fellow.

    Q. I'm in another Fellowship Program, can I apply?

    A. You can apply for the Mira Fellowship while currently in another program, however we highly recommend not doing another fellowship simultaneously, simply because of time. If you have a unique situation you think you can pull off, definitely reach out to us and we can figure it out together.

    Q. Is this a full time residential program?

    A. The Mira Fellowship is not a full time residential program. When we gather in person for some of our summits, they are 2-3 days and we provide lodging during those days, but the rest of the year all meetings are virtual.

    Q. Is this a paid program?

    A.There is a research fund that fellows can access to support their work but it does not cover living expenses or serve as a salary. Many fellows work full or part time jobs while completing the fellowship.

    Q. Is the fellowship something that a person working full-time can manage?

    A. Yes. Many of our fellows work full-time while participating in the fellowship. Fellows must have a little flexibility in their schedules so they can participate in coaching, cohort calls, and summits. Most are juggling work and the fellowship.

    Q. What do you mean by mid-career? Is there an age requirement?

    A. There is not an age requirement but the fellowship is a mid-career program, we believe that people reach mid-career at different chronological ages so the definition is more experience-based vs. age-based. We want our fellows to have enough experience that they are addressing a problem they truly understand and want to make their life’s work

    Q. Is the fellowship limited to a certain country or geography?

    A. No. The Mira Fellowship is a global opportunity, we welcome applications from anywhere in the world.

Nominate Someone

Give us the name and email of someone you think would make a great fellow and we’ll reach out to them.