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The Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship

Empowering dedicated mobility and transportation focused entrepreneurs to amplify their mobility-based businesses.

Applications are now being reviewed on a rolling basis.

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Desiree Riley, 2024 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship Fellow

The Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship is an intensive venture and leadership development program designed to empower mobility and transportation focused entrepreneurs and community leaders to elevate 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?

Here is who we are looking for:

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.

On average each Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellow leading a venture impacts 2,234 individuals in their communities.

Nicole Cabrera Salazar, 2024 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship Fellow

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.

Venture Acceleration & Leadership Training

Fellows will engage in weekly expert-led sessions covering:
• Foundations
• Data & Metrics
• Product Market Fit
• Funding
• Team Management
• Pitch

Community & Network Building

A diverse cohort of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit founders will form partnerships, collaborations, and further their growth and impact during and after the program. Community building activities include:
• Engagement with Watson Institute Alumni
• Self-organized Fellow events
• Basecamp training and events

Mentorship & Collaboration

Renowned leaders, entrepreneurs, and practitioners join the Fellowships to share their entrepreneurial journey and experience, as well as mentor the Fellows. Fellows are provided with multiple mentorship opportunities that include:
• Preceptor Advisory Board
• Impact Speaker Series
• Mentor Bonanza

Pitch Training & Summit

Throughout the program, Fellows will refine their pitch through guided sessions focused on crafting their story, showcasing impact, and effectively communicating their vision. The Summit is the culminating event where top Fellows pitch and present their ventures to local leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs. It’s a platform to catalyze change, forge partnerships, and unlock new opportunities for growth and impact.

Apply Today!

Pay the Impact Forward: Empower Your Communities through Basecamps

Jeffery Johnson, 2024 Ford Philanthropy Fellow, Basecamp: High Impact Coaching Workshop, West Tennessee, United States.

A Basecamp is a 1-3 day workshop hosted by each Fellow in their respective communities, designed to accelerate their impact, build community involvement, provide networking opportunities, practice skill-building, and obtain valuable feedback to enhance their ventures. Each Basecamp invites approximately 30 participants to engage in dynamic workshops and community-building. Fellows receive a monetary stipend, a playbook, and team support to plan and facilitate their Basecamps.

As a key outcome of the Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship, all Fellows will facilitate a Basecamp event during their time in the program.

Learn More

The Fellows are Making an Impact

88 Fellows have created impact for over 950 entrepreneurs through the Basecamps they run around the world and initiatives they help lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility for this program?

  • Your venture is in the Problem-Solution or Product-Market Fit Stage.
  • Your venture is in the space of mobility, transportation, or accessibility, specifically focusing on increasing access to transportation or putting services on wheels.
  • You are located and/or creating impact in Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Philippines, Spain, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom (including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), Vietnam.
  • You are able to commit to attending a majority of the workshops that are hosted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30am to 10:30am MT.

The Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship seeks exceptional candidates who are entrepreneurs or community leaders currently at the Problem-Solution or Product-Market Fit stage, demonstrating a tangible history of impact and leadership within their community. This typically includes a track record of successfully raising funds through grants, investments, donations, or other means to support their ventures. Additionally, candidates might have a team of up to ten full-time members.

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What are the eligibility requirements for the Venture Development Stipend?

Fellows have the potential to receive a venture development stipend of up to $6,000, contingent on their active participation in the program, leading a Basecamp, and successfully completing the workshop-related checkpoint assignments (eligibility requirements may vary depending on the Fellowship). In addition, all Fellows are eligible to receive a stipend to support the implementation of their Basecamp.

How selective is this program?

Fellowships Powered by Watson Institute receive a high volume of applications each year and have a 2% selectivity rate.

What do the in-person components entail?

Fellows facilitate a Basecamp event in their communities during their time in the program. They will also have the option to meet up with other Fellows.

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 February 10th, 2025. Your patience during this process is greatly appreciated.

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

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.

I have another question and need assistance.

For all other questions, please reach out to Angelique Newhouse at angelique@watson.is.

The Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship is a program designed to equip 45 rising entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and experience to scale the mobility-based businesses they are building. Ford Philanthropy Fellows will learn advanced skills in entrepreneurship and leadership, have the opportunity to earn a venture development stipend, garner experience, and build a global network, as they lay the foundation to empower many more individuals and transform their communities.