Middle East Leadership Initiative
The Middle East Leadership Initiative by the Aspen Institute is a two-year Fellowship developing values-driven leaders in the Middle East through intensive seminars and a lifelong impact network.
Funder: Aspen Institute
Due Dates: September 30, 2026 (Nominations deadline for Class VII)
Funding Amounts: No direct financial award; all seminar tuition, materials, and lodging are covered for Fellows; travel and incidentals are the responsibility of the Fellow.
Summary: Two-year Fellowship uniting established Middle Eastern leaders to deepen values-based leadership, foster community, and catalyze regional impact.
Key Information: Nomination by a third party is required; self-applications are not accepted.
Description
The Middle East Leadership Initiative (MELI), developed by the Aspen Institute, is a two-year Fellowship program designed to empower established leaders from across the Middle East to address critical societal challenges. Through a series of four in-person seminars and a lifelong commitment to an "Impact Journey," Fellows engage in text-based dialogues, develop self-awareness, and join a global network of over 4,200 leaders. The program aims to cultivate integrity, purpose, and cross-sector collaboration among leaders working to advance prosperity and resilience in the region.
