Application Deadline: 16 January 2026
Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity Programme. Applications are now open for the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) programme for social-change leaders who are working to tackle inequality. Policymakers, researchers, activists, practitioners, artists, and movement-builders from around the world are invited to apply to the innovative, fully-funded, and inequalities-focused fellowship programme based at the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Currently recruiting for its tenth cohort, the AFSEE Fellowship is aimed at mid-career social-change leaders who have at least seven years of experience in challenging inequalities. Applications are accepted from individuals working on any field of social and economic equity, including, but not limited to economic and social rights; sustainability and environmental justice; tax justice and economic alternatives; women’s, minority, and disability rights; rights to education; public policy; housing and urban inequalities; labour rights; community organising; arts and culture; and peacebuilding and transitional justice.
Launched in 2016, the AFSEE Programme aims to build a 400-strong inspiring community of Fellows over two decades. In its first nine cohorts, the programme has brought together over 150 change-makers from over 60 countries across the globe.
The AFSEE Fellowship, which offers both Residential and Non-Residential tracks, begins with an active fellowship year that offers an intensive period of learning and skills-building carried out in LSE’s research-rich environment informed by dialogic pedagogy and co-creation.
Fellows on the Residential track spend one year in London undertaking the MSc in Inequalities and Social Science degree at LSE, as well as participating in the programme’s four bespoke fellowship modules over the course of the year. The modules feature contributions from academics, practitioners, campaigners, and civil society professionals, and focus on the foundations of social and economic inequalities, policy for equity, challenging and transforming inequality, and debates around inequality.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants to the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme must be able to demonstrate their ability to meet the following eligibility criteria.
Residential Fellows
- Applicants must qualify for admission to the London School of Economics’ MSc in Inequalities and Social Science. These requirements include a 2:1 degree or equivalent in any discipline. A background in social science and/or work experience in the social policy field are advantageous but not essential. Please refer to the programme page for full details.
- Applicants must meet LSE’s standard English Language Requirement.
- Applicants must have at least 7 years of experience demonstrating courage, care, leadership and commitment in advancing equitable solutions to inequality.
Note: Applicants who have attained a PhD, who have completed an MSc within the past three years, or who are currently studying for a degree, will not normally be considered for the Residential track.
Non-Residential Fellows
- Applicants must meet LSE’s standard English Language Requirement.
- Applicants must have at least 7 years of experience demonstrating courage, care, leadership and commitment in advancing equitable solutions to inequality.
Note: For the Non-Residential track, we aim to be inclusive and to encourage applications from non-traditional applicants. We therefore welcome applications from both those applicants who hold an undergraduate degree (2:2 and above) and to those who do not hold an undergraduate degree. This track is also open to applicants who already hold postgraduate degrees. Applicants currently enrolled in a degree programme will not be considered unless their course of study ends before the Fellowship year begins in September.
Benefits
- The Residential track of the AFSEE Programme is fully-funded. AFSEE covers full tuition fees for the MSc Inequalities and Social Science course, travel to and from London at the beginning and end of the active fellowship year, and any visa and immigration-related costs. All Residential Fellows will also receive a £23,000 stipend to cover living costs while in London.
LIFELONG FELLOWSHIP
After completing the active fellowship year, Fellows from both tracks become Senior Fellows and join a lifelong fellowship community made up of members of all seven Atlantic Fellows programmes worldwide, and receive ongoing support to learn, connect, and collaborate.
Non-Residential Track
Non-Residential Fellows remain based in their home and professional environments, and travel to attend in-person Modules. Because of the reduced time and location commitment, this fellowship track is ideal for applicants who are unable to take a full year off from their work. However, they will be expected to commit time (around five hours per week) in addition to their module commitments, for reading, coursework, and project work.
PROJECT WORK
Non-Residential Fellows undertake a project that aims to offer a new insight, challenge, or solution to inequalities that are central to Fellows’ future social-change agendas. The purpose of the AFSEE Fellowship Project is for Fellows to reflect on the learning that they will undergo throughout the active fellowship year and apply this learning to their own work towards addressing inequalities and bringing about social change. .
Application Timeline:
- 13 October 2025: Applications open for the 2026-27 Cohort of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme.
- 20 October 2025: Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity Information Webinar.
- 18 November 2025: Application Tips for the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme Webinar.
- 16 January 2026: Applications close for the 2026-27 Cohort of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity program
- 23 January 2026: Deadline for submitting references.
- Mid-March 2026: Applicants who are invited for an interview will be notified.
- Mid-April 2026: Applicants will be notified of final decisions.
- Mid-June 2026: The 2026-27 Cohort of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme is announced.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity Programme
