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The Fully Funded Chevening Clore Fellowship (2025–2026): Elevate Cultural Leadership

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Are you a mid-career professional in the arts or culture sector with a drive to lead, innovate, and make meaningful impact? The Chevening Clore Leadership Fellowship offers a life-changing opportunity—a fully funded leadership development programme in the UK tailored for professionals from Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, and South Africa.

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Table of Contents

What Is the Chevening Clore Leadership Fellowship?

This esteemed fellowship is a collaboration between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Clore Leadership, one of the UK’s most established cultural leadership training organizations. Each year, up to five international fellows are selected to join a cohort of around 20 fellows from both the UK and eligible partner countries. The programme has been nurturing cultural leaders for over two decades.

When & Where?

The 2025–2026 programme runs from September 2025 to May 2026. It includes:

Two residential leadership courses—typically in September 2025 and May 2026 at Ashorne Hill, near Leamington Spa.
Skills-based workshops in January 2026.
A one-day Online Climate Assembly.
A 360° leadership profile assessment.
A 4–6 week secondment at a UK cultural institution, working on a live project.
Opportunities for conferences, peer networking, and bespoke training.
Mentorship, coaching, and guided thought leadership development (a provocation paper).

Participants return to their home countries in October, then come back to the UK in January for the core development period before concluding the experience in May.

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Full Funding—What’s Included?

The fellowship is fully funded, covering:

Tuition and programme costs.
Two return economy flights.
Accommodation and living expenses in the UK.
Costs for workshops, secondments, conferences, and travel.
A development budget.
Mentorship and coaching support.

Discounted or open-access benefits are also available for D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, or carers.

Who Should Apply?

Ideal applicants are professionals with at least five years of experience in arts and culture leadership. They must:

Be nationals (and residents) of one of the following countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, or South Africa.
Hold a degree equivalent to at least a UK second-class honours degree—or equivalent experience.
Demonstrate leadership potential and a deep commitment to the cultural sector.
Be fluent in English and intend to return home after completing the fellowship.

Additionally, applicants must not hold British or dual citizenship or work for UK government or partner institutions. Previous UK government scholarship recipients must wait five years before reapplying.

Why It Matters

The Chevening Clore Fellowship isn’t just educational—it’s transformational. Fellows gain strategic vision, global perspectives, and practical leadership skills. They emerge with enhanced confidence, clarity of purpose, and stronger influence in the cultural sector. Alumni frequently attribute significant career breakthroughs to the fellowship.

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Fellowship Timeline (Past Cycle Example)

A past cycle followed this timeline:

Applications via Stage 1: January–February.
Stage 2: March.
Interviews: April–May.
Final selection: June.
First residential: September.
Workshops and secondments: January to May.
Final residential: May.

Watch for the next cycle’s dates on the official Chevening website.

In the Words of Alumni

“A life-changing experience, not only on the professional level, but more importantly on the personal level.”
— A Chevening Clore Fellow

“It taught me leadership, resilience, and helped me understand my purpose in the cultural sector.”
— Niyati Mehta, India

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Wrap-Up

The Chevening Clore Leadership Fellowship is a rare opportunity for cultural leaders in eligible countries to thrive in an immersive, high-impact UK development programme. From personalized leadership pathways to immersive hands-on placements, this fully funded experience fosters growth that ripples across the cultural sector.

If you are a mid-career cultural leader ready to elevate your leadership and amplify your impact—this is your moment.