Application Deadline: 5 February 2026 | Applications Open for: 2027 Chevening Clore Leadership Fellowship
The 2027 Chevening Clore Leadership Fellowship is now open for applications. This prestigious Fellowship offers a bespoke leadership development journey designed specifically for outstanding mid-career professionals in the cultural sector. Each year, the programme awards approximately 24 Fellowships to visionary leaders operating across diverse fields such as visual and performing arts, museums, libraries, archives, heritage, film and digital media, as well as cultural policy and practice.
The Clore Fellowship aims to empower leaders who exhibit ambition and foresight, showcasing their potential to elevate their leadership capabilities to new heights. Unlike traditional classroom learning, this Fellowship embraces an experiential approach, deeply rooted in modern leadership theories and methodologies. The structure integrates facilitated reflection, interactive discussions, debates, and a blend of individual and group activities. This format allows Fellows to build meaningful connections with peers while exchanging rich professional insights and personal experiences.
What the Fellowship Offers
- A personalized, self-guided learning journey where Fellows chart their own developmental path.
- An emphasis on introspection and self-awareness over formal instruction.
- A space to discover new aspects of oneself by stepping beyond familiar boundaries, exploring both personal and professional growth as a leader.
- Engagement with complex, challenging issues confronting the cultural sector today.
- Opportunities to collaborate and learn alongside a diverse cohort of peers from various artistic and cultural disciplines.
What the Fellowship Does Not Include
- It is not a business management or entrepreneurial training programme, although these topics may be explored within the Fellowship as components of the individual learning plan.
- This is not a formal training course, although there are optional taught workshops and training sessions included.
- The Fellowship does not confer a formal qualification or accreditation.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates interested in applying must meet the following criteria:
- Have held a leadership or change-making position in the arts and culture sector for at least seven years. (An exception applies to the Excellerate Fellowships for early-career leaders, which require a minimum of five years’ experience.) Applicants must submit a CV demonstrating this experience.
- Show evidence of leadership ambition and the ability to make a substantial impact through their professional practice or work.
- Exhibit a strong dedication, passion, and comprehensive understanding of the cultural sector and its broader socio-political context.
- Demonstrate awareness of their leadership potential.
- Display curiosity, openness to self-reflection, and eagerness to learn about both themselves and others.
- Be positioned to influence organisational practices, policies, or the wider cultural ecosystem, whether as an artist or cultural professional.
- Some specialist Fellowships may have additional criteria; applicants will be asked to address these in their applications.
- Be willing to share knowledge and insights gained throughout the Fellowship with others.
International Fellowship Opportunities
In 2026/27, through international collaborations, a limited number of Fellowships will be available for applicants from India, South Africa, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, China, Egypt, and Brazil.
Programme Overview
The Clore Fellowship runs from September 2026 through May 2027 and comprises several key components:
- Two residential courses: Each lasting between 5 to 10 days, these immersive residential sessions, including accommodation, meals, and refreshments, focus on self-discovery and leadership skill development alongside facilitators, Clore Leadership staff, associates, and distinguished guest speakers who share their leadership journeys.
- Three-day workshops: Skill-building sessions that complement the residential experiences, covering essential leadership topics.
- Fellows’ Assembly: An international gathering connecting Fellows with cultural leaders worldwide to discuss global leadership challenges.
- 360° leadership profiling: An assessment designed to provide deep insights into one's leadership style and areas for growth.
- Secondment placement: Typically lasting 6 to 8 weeks within a UK-based cultural organisation outside the Fellow’s usual field, designed to broaden leadership perspectives and capabilities.
- Development budget of up to £4,000: Available for individualized learning activities such as attending conferences, courses, study visits, or purchasing relevant literature.
- £14,000 bursary: Offered to UK-based Fellows to financially support the time taken away from regular work during the Fellowship. This payment can be made directly to the Fellow or their employer as applicable.
- Mentor or coach support: Personalized guidance throughout the Fellowship journey to assist in reflection and learning.
- Provocation piece: Fellows produce a research piece focused on a leadership topic of their choice.
- Collaborative enquiry project: In teams, Fellows investigate contemporary leadership questions, presenting their findings at the second residential.
- Access budget: Additional resources to support D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent Fellows, or those with caregiving responsibilities.
Funding and Coverage
The Fellowship is generously supported by a range of funding partners, ensuring that all costs are fully covered for Fellows, except in cases where the Fellowship is self-funded or supported by an employer.
The funded Fellowship package includes:
- Tuition and all materials for two residential courses.
- Travel expenses, accommodation, meals, and refreshments during residentials and skill workshops.
- Support from a personal mentor or coach throughout the programme.
- Up to £4,000 development budget for tailored learning activities, available to all Fellows.
- An access budget to accommodate the needs of D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent individuals, or those with caring duties.
- Centralised support by the Clore Leadership team to assist Fellows through their development journey.
Fellowship Timeline and Key Dates
The 2026/27 Fellowship engagement spans approximately 6 to 9 months, from September 2026 to May 2027. Although each Fellow’s experience is individually tailored, attendance at the following core cohort activities is mandatory:
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Residential 1 | 14 – 23 September 2026 (including weekend) | Ashorne Hill, near Leamington Spa |
| Skills Workshops | 18 – 20 January 2027 | Venue to be confirmed |
| Fellows’ Assembly (Online) | 25 March 2027 | Virtual |
| Residential 2 | 17 – 21 May 2027 | Ashorne Hill, near Leamington Spa |
Application Process and Important Deadlines
- Applications open for Stage 1: Thursday, 8 January 2026
- Stage 1 application deadline: Thursday, 5 February 2026 (12:00 noon)
- Stage 1 assessment period: February – March 2026
- Stage 2 applications open: Thursday, 6 March 2026
- Stage 2 application deadline: Thursday, 26 March 2026 (12:00 noon)
- Stage 2 interview invitations: Week commencing 13 April 2026
- Interviews: From week commencing 20 April to late May 2026
- Final Fellowship decisions announced: Late June 2026
Successful applicants will be expected to commit fully to the Fellowship schedule and activities outlined above.
Further Details and How to Apply
For comprehensive information about the Fellowship, its structure, eligibility, and application procedure, please Visit the Official Webpage of the Chevening Clore Leadership Fellowship.
