The LEAP Emerge Fellowship is a year-long leadership development program created to empower rising young leaders as they prepare for their transition into the professional world. Designed for college students entering their final undergraduate year, the fellowship combines mentorship, skills-based training, community impact work, and personalized support. For the 2026–2027 academic cycle, the program remains fully virtual, ensuring nationwide accessibility for students across the United States.
LEAP Emerge Fellowship Overview
LEAP Emerge is structured as an academic-year fellowship that provides participants with tangible leadership skills and exposure to diverse career industries. Fellows receive targeted guidance intended to strengthen their job-readiness and amplify their potential for post-graduation success. The program includes a $3,000 stipend, distributed across the fellowship year, supporting students as they engage in workshops, mentorship sessions, and hands-on project work.
The application window runs from January 16 to March 13, 2026, giving rising seniors and graduating students time to prepare their materials and secure letters of recommendation. This fellowship is intentionally designed to uplift and support students driven by purpose, curiosity, and a commitment to community impact.
Program Structure
Throughout the academic year, Emerge Fellows participate in monthly virtual leadership development trainings led by LEAP staff and partner organizations. Each session lasts between one and two hours and is scheduled around the cohort’s academic commitments. These workshops equip students with essential professional and interpersonal skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and navigating culturally relevant workplace challenges often experienced within Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities.
Mentorship is a defining component of the program. Fellows are paired with multiple mentors across LEAP’s extensive network of more than 1,000 alumni representing corporate, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. These mentors provide one-on-one guidance on résumé development, interviewing strategies, workplace norms, and career exploration. Fellows must connect with their mentors at least once per month, building consistent and supportive professional relationships.
In addition to workshops and mentorship, each participant must complete a Community Impact Project. Working collaboratively, fellows research issues affecting API communities and develop a project that addresses a challenge they identify. This capstone element deepens fellows’ understanding of community-rooted leadership and encourages them to apply their learning to real-world issues.
Fellows are also required to spend 30 hours completing a professional development course to earn a certificate, further strengthening their preparation for the workforce.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
Students eligible for the 2026–2027 cohort must be entering their final year of undergraduate studies during the 2025–2026 school year. Juniors and fifth-year students who are approaching graduation may also apply. LEAP welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and regions, with no preference based on location or race. While API studies coursework is not required, applicants should possess a thoughtful understanding of API issues and history, as these themes are central to the fellowship’s work.
A complete application includes:
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A current résumé
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Two letters of recommendation
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A personal statement
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Five short-answer essay responses
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A general outline of the applicant’s fall academic schedule and extracurricular commitments
Applicants invited to the next stage will participate in a video-conference interview with LEAP staff.
What LEAP Looks for in a Fellow
The ideal Emerge Fellow is a motivated, community-minded individual eager to learn and prepared to grow throughout the program. Applicants do not need to have a defined career path but should show self-awareness, strong values, and a genuine desire to contribute to their communities. LEAP especially values curiosity, leadership experience, collaboration, and a commitment to lifting others as one advances.
A Fellowship Rooted in Community Impact
As an organization dedicated to leadership development for Asian and Pacific Islanders, LEAP created the Emerge Fellowship to address gaps in access, mentorship, and professional guidance. Through alumni connections, skill-based instruction, and culturally responsive support, Emerge empowers young leaders to enter the workforce with confidence, clarity, and community-driven purpose.
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