The Belmont Forum and its members: the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI); the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S.A.; and the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), Thailand. This call is open worldwide, and closes 24 November 2025.
Are you a researcher or societal actor with a passion for tackling global challenges? The Belmont Forum’s Advancing Leadership Program (ALP) is looking for bold, boundary-spanning change-makers like you to join its inaugural cohort. This isn’t your typical leadership program; it’s a one-year fellowship designed to cultivate transdisciplinary (TD) leaders who can navigate uncertainty and drive systemic change through real-world, collaborative projects.
This program is for those who are frustrated by silos and performative inclusion and are ready to challenge the status quo. If you’re an academic who refuses to be trapped by tradition, a policymaker who challenges outdated systems, or a community leader who demands true collaboration, then the ALP is for you.
What is the Advancing Leadership Program (ALP)?
The ALP is a Belmont Forum initiative that unifies and enhances existing resources to cultivate a global network of leaders. The program aims to transform how global challenges are tackled by moving beyond traditional collaboration methods toward dynamic, transdisciplinary partnerships. Through hands-on learning and practical application, the ALP equips you with the skills, tools, and mindset to work effectively across boundaries and lead diverse, multi-actor teams.
The ALP is led by the Belmont Forum and its members: the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI); the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S.A.; and the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), Thailand.
Program Features
- Embedded in Active Research: Your participation is directly tied to proposed or ongoing research projects (with the Belmont Forum or elsewhere), ensuring that leadership development is integrated into real-world efforts.
- Equitable Partnerships: You’ll apply with a “TD Pair” — a researcher-societal actor duo from the same project — to foster equitable co-learning relationships.
- Hybrid Training Model: The one-year fellowship runs from April 2026 to April 2027. It includes a 4-day in-person kick-off workshop (June 2026) and a closing retreat, with virtual deep-dive sessions in between
- Practical Outputs: You’ll create tangible outputs such as op-eds, case studies, and creative community engagement stories to showcase your project’s impact.
- Mentorship: Each TD Pair will propose their own mentor during the early stages of the program to guide and support their leadership journey.
Who Should Apply?
The ALP is looking for individuals (academic and non-academic) who are ready to disrupt silos and amplify unheard voices to co-create a more just and resilient world. Applicants must have a demonstrated commitment to transdisciplinary work and direct involvement in addressing global environmental challenges. The program’s selection criteria will emphasize balanced representation across disciplines, sectors, regions, and career stages.
Ready to join a community driven by courage, resilience, and curiosity? Apply now! For any queries or challenges accessing the application forms, please contact Anne-Teresa Birthwright, ALP Lead:
anne-teresa.birthwright@belmontforum.org.
Application Open: October 24, 2025
Application Deadline: November 24, 2025 11:59 PM Panama Time