The Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship is an intensive venture and leadership development program designed to empower mobility and transportation-focused entrepreneurs and community leaders toelevate the mobility-based businesses they are building. This fully-funded virtual program aims to equip entrepreneurs with the essential skills and hands-on experience necessary to enhance their ventures, access invaluable networks and resources, and drive transformative change in their communities.
This program is fully funded through the generous support of the Ford Philanthropy.
Dates and Details
Dates: February 24th to June 17th, 2025 (16 weeks of programming).
Format: Weekly virtual workshops with localized gatherings and events when possible. Sessions are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 am – 10:30 am Mountain Time Zone.
Immersive: A 2-week virtual Immersive starts on February 24th, 2025, requiring a time commitment of approximately 10–15 hours each week. This Immersive serves as a foundational experience, setting the stage for the Fellowship’s community-oriented and cohort-driven journey.
Basecamp: Basecamp refers to a 1-3 day Impact Workshop led by each Fellow in their community. Its purpose is to gather a base of participants, allowing Fellows to showcase their ventures, receive feedback, and expand their network. Additionally, Basecamps offer participants a hands-on experience in exploring social impact through entrepreneurship. Read more about Basecamps below.
Venture Development Stipend: Fellows can earn up to $6,000 in venture development stipends, depending on their performance and impact throughout the Fellowship.
What You Will Accomplish
With the unwavering support of the Watson Institute team, Fellows will receive a comprehensive roadmap to guide the growth and scalability of your work and impact. Additionally, each Fellow will facilitate an impactful workshop and training session (known as a Basecamp) in their respective communities, backed by a stipend, playbook, and team support to bring their visions to life. This is an opportunity to enhance Fellows’ leadership skills, get their ventures in front of a larger audience, and pay it forward.
Eligibility: Is This Fellowship for Me?
Who you are:
You are an entrepreneur or community leader deeply committed to creating sustainable, scalable impact in your community. Your venture focuses on mobility, transportation, or accessibility, aiming to increase access to transportation or provide services on wheels. Alternatively, you might be seeking to expand the mobility of your venture and looking to enhance or implement mobile solutions or put your services on wheels through this Fellowship. You possess an entrepreneurial spirit, a growth mindset, and are driven to develop as an effective leader.
Venture Stage:
You are an impact-driven entrepreneur with proven products, traction, and revenue. This Fellowship targets those in the ‘missing middle’ stage—entrepreneurs who have moved beyond prototyping but need support to grow. You lead a mobility, transportation, or accessibility-focused social impact venture or community endeavor in its initial stages, showcasing a history of making a difference. Ideal candidates have demonstrated impact in their communities and are in the Problem-Solution Fit or Product-Market Fit stages, with engaged customers and measurable outcomes in both impact and revenue.
Commitment:
You are able to commit to the 16-week program including a 2-week virtual immersive. We prioritize individuals who are fully committed to actively participating in the entire program. At the heart of the program is a strong sense of community, and its success hinges on the active engagement and enthusiasm of all participants, who are eager to both learn and share.
Where You Are Creating Impact:
Applicants located in and/or creating impact in the following locations are encouraged to apply:
Global: Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Philippines, Spain, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom (including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), Vietnam.
What You Are Looking For:
You are seeking expert-guided entrepreneurial training, a community of entrepreneurs to provide feedback that improves your venture, and a wide-reaching mentorship network to enhance your leadership abilities and the impact of your venture.
Demographics:
Adults 18 or Older.
Application Process
1.Applications Submitted: Complete the online application. This application should take approximately 45 minutes to fill out. The priority deadline for application submissions is January 12th, 2025. Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis thereafter until the spots are filled.
2. First Round Review: Our Admissions Committee diligently reviews all applications, seeking entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and ventures that are both innovative and scalable. Applications received after the deadline will be assessed on a rolling basis as needed.
3. Interview: Qualified applicants will receive invitations for a 20-minute one-on-one Zoom interview. This interview allows us to delve deeper into your motivations for pursuing the Fellowship and to gain a better understanding of your venture.
4. Admissions Committee Review: The most promising applicant profiles will be shared with our external Admissions Committee for their final review and selection.
5. Acceptances Announced: Notifications of acceptance will be sent out no later than February 10th, 2025.
6. Fellows Confirm & Enroll: The final step to complete your enrollment is to confirm your commitment to the program. Upon confirmation, you will receive an invitation to participate in a “Meet the Cohort Webinar” event leading up to the program’s commencement. The program begins on February 27th, 2025.
The Fellowship offers:
The Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship offers an intensive program focusing on mobility, transportation, and accessibility. Designed for entrepreneurs and community leaders dedicated to advancing these areas, the Fellowship provides comprehensive training, mentorship from mobility experts, and hands-on experience. Fellows collaborate to develop impactful solutions that improve transportation access and services. This fully-funded virtual program empowers participants with valuable networks and resources, enabling them to drive significant change within their communities.
