Rolling deadline: April 1, 2025

6-month virtual accelerator program designed for social entrepreneurs aged 25-35 who are working on some of the most pressing challenges in the field of human rights

What we do

We help emerging leaders drive bold and courageous social change, improve their effectiveness, and advance their missions throughout the world.

Develop leadership

Developing leadership abilities with a focus on organizational development and personal growth. Through a six-month virtual curriculum, fellows gain skills in leading movements, managing teams, building networks, partnership development, fundraising, and organizational sustainability, equipping them to become resilient and self-sustaining leaders in their fields.

Provide mentorship & Resources

Enhancing fellows' advocacy skills by providing mentorship and financial resources.

Create community

Creating a strong, interconnected community of leaders and mentors.

Support network

Providing a robust alumni network and continued opportunities for engagement and development.

Our Academic Partner

Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Studies at Brown University

The Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Studies (CHRHS) at Brown University is the academic partner of the Global Fellows in Courage program. CHRHS supports the program by developing a comprehensive curriculum focused on leadership, organizational development, and contemporary human rights issues. The Center engages distinguished faculty from Brown University to lead sessions and share their expertise.

As part of this partnership, CHRHS provides certificates of completion to Fellows, recognizing their dedication and achievements throughout the program. Additionally, the Center offers Fellows the opportunity to join its prestigious alumni network, connecting them to a global community of human rights leaders and experts. This collaboration ensures the program meets the highest academic standards while fostering meaningful growth and impact for participants.

Expert-Led Curriculum

Certificates of Completion

Access to an Alumni Network

Commitment to Excellence

Founder and Co-Chair of GFiC

Lorne Adrain

I have always been in awe of changemakers like Mandela, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Malala, Martin Luther King, Lincoln, and others who stepped up for others in the face of danger, resistance, and ignorance. Their courage, passion, and commitment expanded the reach of freedom and justice, allowing millions — including me — to live with dignity, pursue their dreams, and contribute to a better world.I believe the world will always need — and will always have — courageous souls. People who dare to defy oppression, fight injustice, and unleash the limitless possibilities within every heart. But today, as threats to human rights and dignity grow, we need these changemakers more than ever — and they need allies who can stand beside them, ensuring they have the resources, networks, and support to succeed.

My purpose — and the purpose of Global Fellows in Courage — is to find these remarkable individuals, encourage them, and equip them with the concepts, connections, and capital to magnify their impact and turn their visions into reality.

Global Fellows in Courage is building more than a program — we are building a community. A global network of human rights leaders supported by seasoned volunteers whose wisdom, experience, and generosity will inspire, encourage, and enable these Fellows to create lasting change. These Fellows come from every corner of the world — standing up for marginalized communities, challenging corrupt systems, and sparking change against all odds. Their courage is contagious, and their potential is limitless.If you are one of these courageous changemakers — or if you are someone who wants to support such a person — we invite you to join us. Together, we can shape a future built on dignity, opportunity, and justice for all.

Past & Upcoming Fellowships

Each year, we select a cohort of courageous leaders for an immersive fellowship focused on leadership, human rights, and impact-driven change. Fellows gain access to expert mentorship, a global network, and tailored development opportunities to advance their work.

Cohort
'25
Global Fellows in Courage Program '25
Rolling deadline: April 1, 2025
July — December, 2025

6-month virtual program designed for social entrepreneurs aged 25-35 who are working on some of the most pressing challenges in the field of human rights.

- 3 Cohorts, Gender Justice
- 45 Fellows
- 45+ Mentors

Cohort
'24
Global Fellows in Courage Program '24
Deadline: Passed
July 2024 – January 2025

In 2024, we selected 12 courageous leaders for the inaugural GFiC Cohort ‘24.

- 1 Cohort
- 12 Fellows 7 months (July 2024 - January 2025)
- 14 Online Sessions
- 100+ Total Learning Hours
- 20 Experts and Brown University Faculty specializing in Gender Justice
- 15+ personal coaches/mentors