Middle East Leadership Initiative
Middle East Leadership Initiative supports proven Middle Eastern leaders through a values-based fellowship and community initiatives that advance prosperity, well-being, and lasting regional impact.
Funder: Aspen Institute
Due Dates: October 8, 2026 (Class VII nominations) | May 9–14, 2027 (Seminar 1) | October 17–22, 2027 (Seminar 2) | March 5–10, 2028 (Seminar 3) | October 15–20, 2028 (Seminar 4)
Funding Amounts: Two-year fellowship covering seminar tuition, materials, and lodging; Fellows pay travel and incidental expenses
Summary: A values-based leadership fellowship supporting proven Middle Eastern leaders in creating lasting community and regional impact.
Key Information: Third-party nomination is required; individuals cannot apply, and Fellows must attend all four seminars in full.
Description
The Aspen Institute’s Middle East Leadership Initiative (MELI) brings together proven leaders across sectors to address pressing societal challenges in their communities and the region. The two-year fellowship creates space for reflection, dialogue, and relationships across national, sectoral, and ideological lines. Through four seminars using Aspen’s text-based dialogue method, Fellows explore values, leadership, purpose, and the “good society,” strengthening their capacity to lead with integrity.
Each class includes 20–24 individuals, largely from business and civil society. Fellows pursue an Impact Journey, developing an initiative that puts their values and leadership into action for community or regional benefit. The program emphasizes prosperity, well-being, and lifelong positive impact, while connecting participants to the Aspen Global Leadership Network and its international community of leaders.
