Hansen Leadership Institute (HLI) Youth Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded

Opportunities

The Hansen Leadership Institute (HLI) offers a global program that aims to train and prepare future leaders from around the world to promote international peace and cooperation among nations. The institute is based on the vision of Fred J. Hansen, which focuses on building a more peaceful world through mutual understanding and effective, ethical leadership.

Program Details

The program focuses on:

Leadership: Training participants in the principles of effective, ethical, and visionary leadership, in addition to communication and public speaking skills. In recent years, the program has expanded to include gender issues in leadership as well.

Mediation and Conflict Resolution: The institute equips fellows with practical skills in communicating across cultural and political divides, with a focus on reconciliation and restorative justice, alongside training on human rights issues.

International Cooperation: The program builds a connected international community of young leaders from conflict zones, where they begin as strangers and leave as close friends committed to peace among their peoples.

Scholarship Details

Donor: Fred J. Hansen Foundation.
Host Institution: University of San Diego, California – USA.
Funding Type: Fully funded by the Fred J. Hansen Foundation.

The funding covers:

International airfare.
Full accommodation (room and meals).
All program-related costs.

Participants are only responsible for:

Passport issuance fees.
Personal expenses during the program.

Application Deadlines

International Applicants: Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:30 PM Pacific Time.
U.S. Applicants: Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 11:30 PM Pacific Time.

Program Duration

Length: 3 intensive weeks.
Dates: July 1 – July 22, 2026.
Full attendance is required; late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.

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Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the 2026 program, applicants must meet the following:

Be between 20 – 25 years old as of July 1, 2026.
Have completed at least one year of university studies at the time of application.
If not currently enrolled in a university, applicants must be recent graduates (class of 2024 or 2025).

English Proficiency

No separate language certificate is required.
English proficiency is verified by the academic referee, who receives an online form to assess your language skills and submit it along with their recommendation letter.

Recommendation Letters (References)

Each applicant must submit two references:

From a university professor or academic supervisor able to evaluate your academic and language abilities.
From a community organization or NGO with which you have worked.

Visa Requirements (for International Applicants)

A U.S. visa is not required at the time of application.
If selected, the program will provide all necessary documentation to support your U.S. visa application, including:
- Letter of acceptance.
- Letter of financial support.
- DS-2019 form issued by the University of San Diego.
- SEVIS fee receipt.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the program’s official online portal by clicking the “Apply” tab.
Create an account and complete the application form.
Submit referee information early to allow enough time for them to respond.

Announcement of Results

The selection committee will begin reviewing international applications in February 2026.
Results will be sent via email to all applicants in early March 2026.