Priority Application Deadline: July 12, 2026.
Ana Karina Pano, 2024 – 2025 Alumna
Equipping entrepreneurs with training, expert-led workshops, and a powerful network to bring financial services to underbanked communities, support small businesses, and expand home ownership opportunities.
The Fellowship Offers
The BMO Fellowship, powered by Watson Institute, is a fully-funded program for entrepreneurs and small business owners driving economic opportunity in their communities. Fellows are increasing their communities’ access to formal financial services, tools, and literacy, supporting and enhancing the small business ecosystem in their market, or expanding home ownership opportunities for families locked out of wealth-building pathways. Fellows gain the skills, insights, peer network, and long-term Alumni support needed to drive sustainable impact and growth in their communities.
Business & Leadership Workshops
Participate in 16-weeks of entrepreneurship training led by expert practitioners who are successful entrepreneurs and small business owners themselves, with workshops focused on business acumen and financial literacy.
Financial Tools & Resources
Access practical financial tools, frameworks, and workshops designed to strengthen your venture’s financial foundation. Benefit from the expertise of practitioners and Watson Institute’s broader network of specialists supporting entrepreneurs at every stage.
Basecamps: Creating Lasting Impact
Design and lead a comprehensive 1-day entrepreneurship training program (Basecamp) for 20 earlier-stage small business owners in your community. With training, resources, and a community development stipend, you’ll deepen the small business ecosystem in your market.
Deep Engagement
In partnership with BMO
BMO has connected Fellows with various teams across the bank—including Zero Barriers to Business, Climate Institute, Communications, and Community Giving— through workshops, mentorship, and guest speaker sessions . Alumni have received ongoing support including expo sponsorships, speaking opportunities at BMO branches, and conference attendance funding.
BMO's U.S. CEO, Darrel Hackett, with Alumna Shatoia Robinson
Experts You Will Learn From
We recruit experts and entrepreneurs with the specific expertise needed to best serve you. They are brought on to share their insights, facilitate workshops, and provide 1-on-1 guidance. Preceptors from past BMO Fellowship cohorts have included:
Paul Rivera
Expert Facilitator | Be.Act.Change | USAID
Ali Fraenkel
Community Strategist | Consultant & Facilitator | Trust-based Grantmaking Advisor | Philanthropy Innovator
Cole Hoover
Designer of Impact Networks | Strategic Facilitator | Purpose Coach
Key Dates
- Program: August 25–December 15, 2026
- Immersive: August 25–September 3, 2026 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM MT | Virtual
- Week 1: 8/25–8/28 (Tuesday–Friday)
- Week 2: 8/31–9/3 (Monday–Thursday)
- Virtual Summit: December 15, 2026 – Selected Fellows present their venture pitches to an engaged audience of entrepreneurs, community leaders, BMO representatives, and peers
Schedule & Weekly Time Commitment
- Weekly Workshops: Fellows participate in virtual workshops each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT.
- Weekly Time Commitment: 8–10 hours per week, including workshops, community building events, optional mentorship sessions, Basecamp planning and implementation, and Summit preparations.
Eligibility: Is This Fellowship for Me?
Here is who we are looking for
Don’t take our word for it, hear theirs
Meet The Alumni
More Life Liquid is a wellness brand offering cold-pressed, non-alcoholic beverages that empowers individuals through conscious consumption, while reducing environmental impact by using sustainable packaging and donating compost to local farms. Over the past five years, More Life Liquid has hosted four sober-friendly events that promote social and environmental awareness, introduced 100% biodegradable packaging, and partnered with 2 local farms to compost over 800 pounds of pulp.
Princess Gardens Worm Farm is dedicated to promoting sustainability through vermiculture, composting, and soil regeneration. By educating communities on the benefits of organic waste reduction and regenerative agriculture, the farm empowers individuals to take tangible steps toward combating climate change. They have educated over 4,500 community members through workshops and hands-on training sessions, fostering widespread adoption of regenerative practices like composting and soil revitalization and diverted approximately 8 tons of organic waste from landfills, converting it into nutrient-rich compost that supports urban agriculture and green spaces.
The Halo Food Project is a pioneering initiative that operates Los Angeles’ first 100% clean energy, zero emissions Electric Vehicle (EV) Mobile Retail Grocery Store, providing fresh, locally sourced food to communities across the city. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing over $400,000 into the local economy, and educating more than 2,000 residents on sustainability and environmental justice, the project fosters both environmental and economic resilience. Through innovative food distribution and community engagement, The Halo Food Project actively combats food insecurity while promoting clean energy solutions and sustainable agriculture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if my country or state is not listed under the priority geographies?
Unfortunately, we are not able to consider applications outside the geographies listed above. However, we run numerous programs a year and are likely to have an opportunity for you in the future. We encourage you to check back regularly and reach out to Watson Institute’s team members for more information.
What is the community development stipend?
The community development stipend supports Fellows in organizing and facilitating Basecamps, a required outcome of the program. Basecamps are community events that foster collaboration and advance initiatives that accelerate collective growth in the communities the Fellows are impacting. Whether you host a workshop, networking event, or a collaborative project, this stipend provides resources to engage your community, build connections, and drive meaningful impact.
What is the application review timeline?
We understand the substantial interest in the program and strive to provide prompt responses. Decisions will be communicated by July 22, 2026. We appreciate your patience throughout this process.
How do you define eligibility for this program?
Eligibility for the 2026 BMO Fellowship is based on an entrepreneur or small business owner’s ability to bring formal financial services to underbanked communities (including providing access to financial services, tools, and literacy), support small businesses (including enhancing the small business ecosystem in their markets), and/or expand home ownership opportunities (including creating pathways to home ownership for families locked out of wealth-building).
How does this program open doors to funding?
Watson Institute connects Fellows to a robust network of potential investors, grantmakers, and partners dedicated to supporting ventures with impact. Through mentorship, pitch opportunities, and relationship-building events, Fellows gain access to introductions and resources that can accelerate their growth and sustainability.
What is the long-term impact on Fellows and Alumni?
After completing the program, Fellows join a vibrant community of changemakers with ongoing access to resources, learning opportunities, and peer support beyond the program. Alumni often report increased revenue, expanded networks, stronger leadership skills, and greater community impact as a result of their Watson Institute experience.
Alumni of Watson Institute’s Fellowships have raised over $190 million, created over 2,300 paid jobs, and impacted over 11 million people around the world through initiatives they have helped lead. 93% of Watson Institute alums are employed, continuing their education, or building a venture. 85% of Watson Institute Alumni use a skill they learned while in a Watson Institute-powered program up to 12 years later. Watson Institute’s Alumni have been selected to Y Combinator, the Echoing Green Fellowship, and 11 have been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 lists. Alums continue their education at Harvard University, New York University, and Princeton University, among others.
What if I’m not admitted?
If you are not admitted this cycle, we encourage you to stay engaged with Watson Institute through our newsletters, events, and future programs. Many Fellows apply multiple times and continue to develop their ventures with the resources and support we offer. We value your commitment and look forward to your future involvement. Explore other Fellowships.
I have another question and need assistance.
For all other questions, please reach out to Maria Pamela Pelaez at mariapamela@watson.is.
As the 8th largest bank in North America by assets, BMO provides personal and commercial banking, global markets and investment banking services to 13 million customers. They are proud to be fueling progress for individuals, families and businesses across North America. This program is fully-funded through the generous support of BMO.
