Emboldly Fellowship 2026: Empowering Early-Career Women to Lead with Confidence

Opportunity Description

The Emboldly Fellowship is a free four-month program for early-career women and nonbinary professionals. Learn what it offers, who can apply, and how to join the 2026 cohort.

What Is the Emboldly Fellowship?

The Emboldly Fellowship is a four-month hybrid program designed to empower women and nonbinary professionals in the early stages of their careers. Fellows meet biweekly for interactive, two-hour sessions that combine practical skill-building, mentorship from industry experts, and a strong peer community.

The fellowship is completely free for accepted participants. A refundable retainer fee of $50 is required only after acceptance and is reimbursed upon successful completion.

Why the Emboldly Fellowship Exists

Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles across most industries. Many miss out on mentorship and structured support to navigate workplace challenges. The Emboldly Fellowship bridges that gap, providing a safe, inspiring space to build confidence, learn essential skills, and connect with other emerging leaders.

Through mentorship and community, the program helps participants gain the confidence and clarity needed to grow both personally and professionally.

What You’ll Gain from the Emboldly Fellowship: Learn, Grow, Connect

Learn

Gain essential skills to thrive at work from self-advocacy and negotiation to communication and confidence-building. Sessions cover practical topics like managing imposter syndrome, networking authentically, and balancing career and personal growth.

Grow

Discover your strengths, build resilience, and define your purpose. Fellows engage in guided reflection, receive mentorship, and gain tools for career advancement and leadership.

Connect

Join a global network of ambitious, like-minded women. You’ll share experiences, build lasting relationships, and expand your professional network beyond the program.

Our 2025 Cohort Snapshot

• 93% women of color

• 55% first-generation college graduates

• 47% from low-income backgrounds

• Fellows from 70+ companies and 30 countries

• 17% acceptance rate

Katie Welch, Chief Marketing Officer of Rare Beauty, says:

“I’m so impressed by what Emboldly has created. This is exactly what we need — a space that helps women climb the corporate ladder and improve gender balance in leadership.”

Cynthia Anaba, Spring 2025 Fellow, shared:

“As I enter the job market, Emboldly feels like the 9th semester I never had. The chance to sharpen my communication, negotiation, and leadership skills while learning from accomplished women across industries is invaluable.”

Emboldly Fellowship 2026 Timeline

• October 7: Information Session

• October 15: Applications Open

• December 1: Application Deadline

• December 31: Acceptance Notifications

• January 9: Retainer Fee Due

• January 24: Fellowship Begins

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for the Emboldly Fellowship 2026, applicants should:

• Identify as a woman or nonbinary professional with 0–3 years of full-time work experience

• Be able to attend bi-weekly Saturday sessions (10 AM PT / 1 PM ET)

• Show a clear commitment to personal and professional growth

• Demonstrate strong motivation for leadership development

• Be ready to participate actively in discussions, mentorship, and peer learning

• Align with Emboldly’s mission to advance women in leadership

If cost is a barrier, applicants can request a fee waiver directly in the application form — it will not affect candidacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay the $50 fee if I’m not accepted?
No. The retainer fee is only collected after you’re accepted and refunded upon completion.

Can I work full-time while joining?
Yes! The program is designed for working professionals, with sessions held on Saturdays and flexible asynchronous activities.

What if I can’t attend every session?
Fellows must attend 7 of 8 sessions to receive their refund, but the team understands that emergencies happen. communication is key.

Is it open to students?
Primarily yes for early-career professionals, but full-time students preparing for career transitions are welcome to apply.