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Enlight Fellowship

Supporting social entrepreneurs in scaling mental health-focused ventures.

Priority Application deadline is June 1st, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after the deadline until all spots are filled.

Start Your Application

Faling Qiu, 2024 Enlight Fellowship Alumna

As an Enlight Fellow, you’ll join a transformative program designed to equip you with the tools, mentorship, and networks to scale your venture and create impact globally. This Fellowship is looking to support 20 youth-led mental health initiatives that are creating impact in China. As part of this inspiring cohort, you’ll gain access to expert mentorship, venture development resources, and potential funding to strengthen your initiative. You will also be invited to a week-long Immersive experience — either in Boulder, Colorado, United States, or in Liugong, Hainan, China — where you will collaborate intensively with peers, build lasting connections, and lay the foundation for your growth.

This is a fully-funded Fellowship thanks to the generous support of the Enlight Foundation.

Dates and Details

Key Dates

  • Program: August 18–December 9, 2025
  • In-Person Immersive (Fellows attend one of the following):
    • Boulder, Colorado: Monday, August 18 – Friday, August 22, 2025
    • Liugong, Hainan, China: July, 2025 (Exact dates to be announced)
  • Virtual Summit: Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Time Commitment

  • Weekly Sessions: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
  • Total Weekly Commitment: 8–10 hours

Core Components

  • Virtual Workshops: Interactive online sessions with your cohort
  • Basecamp: Lead a 1-3 day impact workshop in your community
  • Virtual Summit: Pitch to leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs
  • Community Development Stipend: Selected Fellows will receive financial support to plan and execute their Basecamp—an interactive, community-focused workshop.

To create the most valuable experience for all, we ask every Fellow to fully participate and attend all weekly workshops and events.

Who Should Apply

Entrepreneur Profile
You are an entrepreneur or community leader with deep knowledge of social impact challenges, leading a venture that’s already creating positive change in the mental health space in China.

Venture Stage
Your nonprofit or for-profit organization has an established business model and is actively serving customers or beneficiaries in historically underserved communities. You’re now ready to scale your impact with the support of dedicated mentorship and resources.

Location & Eligibility

The Enlight Fellowship is exclusively for entrepreneurs leading ventures focused on creating impact in the Greater China Region.

What You Will Receive

Through this fully-funded Fellowship, supported by the Enlight Foundation and powered by Watson Institute, you’ll gain the tools, mentorship, and network needed to scale your venture’s impact. The Fellowship is specifically optimized for mental health-focused entrepreneurs, with carefully selected facilitators, mentors, and speakers who bring deep expertise.

Pitch Development & Professional Recording

Refine how you communicate your venture’s impact and vision to stakeholders.

Create a professionally recorded pitch video you can use beyond the Fellowship.

Master the art of engaging and persuading key audiences.

Skill Enhancement & Leadership Growth

Develop essential skills through hands-on workshops focused on strategic planning, venture development, and problem-solving.

Build resilience and adaptability for the entrepreneurial journey.

Learn to effectively lead and scale an impact-driven organization.

Mentorship & Expert Guidance

Receive personalized life coaching from exceptional coaches, many of whom are Enlight Fellowship alumni, and get invaluable support for your personal growth.

Participate in one-on-one or group mentorship calls for collaborative learning.

Work directly with an Entrepreneur in Residence who supports your venture’s growth.

Community & Network Expansion

Join a dynamic community of impact-driven entrepreneurs and changemakers.

Connect with Fellows, Alumni, and experts who share your commitment to social impact.

Build lasting relationships that extend beyond the Fellowship.

Visibility & Collaboration

Share your work through Watson Institute summits and events.

Connect with mission-aligned leaders, funders, and industry influencers.

Position yourself as a thought leader in social impact.

Real-World Experience Through Basecamp

Design and lead a Basecamp community event with provided training and resources.

Put your leadership skills into action through hands-on experience.

Receive a stipend to support your community initiative.

Application Process

1. Submit Your Application Candidates complete the online application in approximately 30 minutes. Submit by the priority deadline of June 1st, 2025, for early consideration. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.

2. Application Review Our Admissions Committee evaluates applications to identify innovative entrepreneurs—candidates with scalable ventures and strong potential for impact. Early applicants receive priority consideration.

3. Interview Selected candidates will be invited to a 20-minute Zoom interview to share their entrepreneurial journey, discuss their venture’s vision for growth, and explore how the Fellowship aligns with their goals.

4. Final Selection & Enrollment Final decisions will be announced by July 15, 2025. Accepted applicants must confirm their enrollment to secure their spot. The program begins on August 18, 2025.

Start Your Application

Jiayan Zhang, 2024 Enlight Fellowship Alumna

Da Fan and Wenxi Lin, 2024 Enlight Fellowship Alumni

On average, Fellows experience a 67% increase in income post-Fellowship, demonstrating the program’s impact on their financial growth and sustainability.

Creating Lasting Impact: Empower Your Community with Basecamps

As a core component of the Fellowship, you will design and lead a 1-3 day Basecamp—an interactive, community-focused workshop that strengthens your leadership skills, expands your network, and provides valuable feedback. You’ll receive training, resources, and a stipend to plan and execute an impactful event that supports rising entrepreneurs and changemakers in your community.

Learn More About Basecamps

Jie (Vincent) Liu, 2024 Enlight Fellowship Alum

Meet the Alumni

Over 90 Fellows have graduated from the Enlight Fellowship, impacting more than 450 individuals through their Basecamps and driving initiatives that create positive change across communities in China.

 

Yu Zheng
The Yibao Project Micro-Insurance US Cohort

The Yibao Project provides micro-insurance solutions for people at the bottom of the socioeconomic pyramid in China, with a particular focus on families and individuals with cognitive or mental health challenges. Their bi-weekly online live streams and offline workshops have educated thousands on financial literacy, significantly enhancing their financial management and risk prevention capabilities. To date, the venture has impacted 150,000 households, settled 1,200 insurance claims, and raised $100,000 in capital with support from its team of 22 full-time employees.

Dantong Zhang
EmpowerfulHer Women Empowerment China Cohort

EmpowerfulHer is a non-profit community dedicated to promoting women’s leadership in China through in person and online mentorship programs and workshops. EmpowerfulHer offers bilingual training in Chinese and English, addressing gender equality and encouraging women to excel as leaders across various sectors. To date, the venture has positively impacted over 200,000 women globally, and established partnerships with NGOs and universities worldwide – including Utrecht University, University of Cambridge, and Harvard University.

Zhili Liao
706 Youth space Supporting Youth China Cohort

706 Youth Space is dedicated to supporting youth cultural spaces and promoting co-living to combat urbanization-induced loneliness and foster civic engagement for sustainable cities and communities. The venture provides public cultural activities, skill exchanges, discussions, and affordable accommodation. Since its inception, 706 has expanded its influence through projects like “Living Lab” and “City Living Room,” which are present in 75 city communities worldwide with over 50,000 members and has built partnerships with more than 200 spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility for this program?

Eligibility Requirements

  • Venture Stage: Your venture is at the Problem-Solution or Product-Market Fit stage.
  • Location: The Enlight Fellowship is exclusively for entrepreneurs leading ventures focused on creating impact in the Greater China Region.
  • Time Commitment: You can fully commit to the entire 16-week program, including the mandatory week-long Immersive in Boulder, Colorado or in Liugong, Hainan, China.  Active participation throughout the program is essential, as our community thrives on engaged Fellows who are eager to both learn and contribute.
  • Availability: You can attend all weekly virtual workshops scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The Enlight Fellowship seeks exceptional entrepreneurs and community leaders who:

  • Have reached the Problem-Solution or Product-Market Fit stage with their mental health-focused ventures.
  • Demonstrate a proven history of impact and leadership within their communities
  • Have successfully raised funding through grants, investments, donations, or other means
  • May lead a team of up to ten full-time team members

How selective is this program?

Fellowships powered by Watson Institute receive a high volume of applications and generally have a 2-8% acceptance rate.

What do the in-person components entail?

  • Fellows will travel to either Boulder, Colorado, or Liugong, Hainan, China for a week-long in-person Immersive to build community and learn about key programmatic information.
  • Fellows will facilitate a Basecamp event in their communities during their time in the program. They will also have the option to have meet-ups with other program Fellows in their locations.

What are the costs associated with this program (travel, fees, deposits, etc.)?

Watson Institute covers the cost of accommodations, program-related transportation, and most meals.

  • Fellows attending the in-person Immersive are responsible for flights and transportation to and from Immersive’s location, either in the United States or China.
  • Fellows attending the in-person Immersive in the United States are responsible for visa related expenses.

What is the application review timeline?

We understand the substantial interest in the program and strive to provide prompt responses. Decisions will be dispatched during the week of July 15th, 2025. Your patience during this process is greatly appreciated.

Can I apply if my country is not listed under the priority countries?

Enlight Fellowship is designed for any mental health-focused entrepreneur regardless of their location.

I have another question and need assistance.

For all other questions, please reach out to Lallas@watson.is (wechat: lallas0707).