Opportunity Collaboration (OC) Fellowship 2026 for Social Entrepreneurs and Nonprofit Leaders

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Applications are open for Opportunity Collaboration (OC) Fellowship 2026. The Opportunity Collaboration (OC) Fellowship is a prestigious global opportunity designed for innovative social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders who are building sustainable solutions to poverty around the world. Each year, OC selects exceptional leaders from diverse communities and backgrounds, providing them with access to a powerful ecosystem of knowledge, networks, and collaboration that can significantly accelerate their impact.

About OC Fellowship

Every year, OC offers Fellowships to exceptional leaders who represent diverse communities from around the globe. Fellows are social entrepreneurs and innovative nonprofit leaders building sustainable solutions to poverty around the world.

The purpose of the Fellowship is to open doors, minds and networks for emerging social entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives; enrich OC with new, emerging leaders; and infuse OC in-person and online discussions with a diversity of perspectives.

As one Fellow shared, “At the Opportunity Collaboration, I honestly learned more in the past few days than in a semester in business school.” — Cynthia Koenig, Founder & CEO, Wello (USA).

Eligibility Criteria

OC Fellows are catalytic leaders whose actions and accomplishments demonstrate innovation, resilience, and adaptive leadership. Successful applicants typically have not yet received similar global fellowships or international awards. Successful OC Fellow applicants typically have not yet received similar global Fellowships or awards.

Individual Eligibility

Applicants must:

Be high-impact, innovative, entrepreneurial for-profit or nonprofit executives
Demonstrate a clear commitment to social justice and poverty alleviation
Not have attended a previous OC in-person summit
Be available to attend OC Sunrise & OC2026, taking place November 2–6, 2026 in Albufeira, Portugal (arrival on November 1)
Be able to engage in programs conducted primarily in English

Organizational Eligibility

Organizations must:

Have at least one year of active operations focused on poverty alleviation
Have no prior OC in-person summit attendees within the organization
Demonstrate financial need, with an annual budget below USD $1 million
Maintain an active web or social media presence

OC Fellowship Benefits & Financial Support

Fellows selected from non-OECD countries (developing economies) receive a $2,890 award (fully covering their OC Sunrise, OC2026, & OC365 registration), and pay a refundable $295 administration fee, which is refundable after the non-OECD Fellow attends OC Global.
Fellows from OECD countries (developed economies) receive a $1,895 award (partially covering their OC Sunrise, OC2026, & OC365 registration) and pay a $995 registration fee.

The OC Fellowship provides:

All-inclusive room-sharing accommodations for 5 nights and 4 days, including meals, internet fees, onsite recreation and resort fees
Full access to leadership programs and capacity building opportunities
Opportunity to facilitate sessions for OC365 & OC2026
Access to working discussion groups
Organizational showcasing opportunities
Networking concierge services
Transportation to and from Faro International Airport (FAO)
Most importantly, 4 days connecting with hundreds of the world’s most passionate impact leaders.

Fellow Responsibilities

While the Fellowship covers most on-site costs, Fellows are responsible for:

Paying their own round-trip international airfare
Securing all required travel documents and visas
OC supports Fellows by providing a formal invitation letter for immigration purposes and is actively seeking airline partnerships to reduce airfare costs.
Preparing a Strong Application

The OC Fellowship application asks detailed questions about your background, organization, leadership journey, and motivation for joining Opportunity Collaboration in 2026.