The Farah Pahlavi Fellowship is an invitation to a small, extraordinary cohort of emerging women leaders who have demonstrated the promise of ethical leadership, cross-cultural dialogue, and meaningful impact. Grounded in the ancient Persian triad of Good Thoughts (Pendar-e-Nik), Good Words (Goftar-e-Nik), and Good Deeds (Kerdar-e-Nik), Fellows think rigorously, speak honestly, and act with responsibility towards the communities they serve.

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Fellows convene virtually and in person over the Fellowship year for collaborative inquiry, mentorship, impact work, and collective growth.

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The Foundation values humanism as a living principle: governance with dignity and dialogue, diplomacy through reason and understanding, education as the formation of the whole person, culture as a tool for empathy and connection, and leadership that serves people rather than systems.

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Her Majesty created and influenced institutions across education, public health, social services, culture, the arts, and civil society. As Empress of Iran, she was a pioneering figure in social inclusiveness and cultural dialogue, and a lifelong champion of women and children. The Fellowship carries her name and her standard.

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The Programme Structure

The Fellowship offers three things that are rarely available in combination: a peer cohort of women working on problems that mirror their own from different corners of the world; mentorship from seasoned practitioners matched specifically to their work; and the structured time and support needed to advance a developing capstone project to its next significant stage.

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The centrepiece of the year is the Annual Residency, a week-long in-person gathering held each autumn in a rotating international location. The Residency is built around a carefully designed curriculum: shared readings, seminars, and workshops that the cohort works through together, guided by skilled moderators.

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Fellows will read, debate, and grapple with the ideas most alive in their fields and in the world, including issues of education, culture, civil society, and the role of women in leadership and public life. Acclaimed guest speakers will join throughout the week, and Fellows will have the opportunity to meet in person with Her Majesty Farah Pahlavi.

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The Residency includes field visits and concludes with an Annual Dinner. All travel, accommodation, and meals are covered by the Foundation.

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Over the Fellowship year, Fellows will have access to bespoke skill-building workshops and training sessions, a speaker series, regular peer learning, and cohort check-ins. Fellows will retain permanent access to all programme content after the Fellowship year ends.

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Eligibility

The Fellowship is designed for women who have moved beyond the earliest stages of their careers and are beginning to lead work with demonstrated local impact. They are working on a capstone project that is locally rooted, with a clear plan of execution and an ambitious impact framework.

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These emerging leaders are at a pivotal moment where focused support and mentorship could make a decisive difference. They are accomplished enough to contribute meaningfully to a peer cohort, and are in a position to benefit from the community, guidance, and structured support the Fellowship offers.

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We welcome applicants from multiple fields, including culture and the arts, education, public health, civil society, climate, media and entertainment, sport, and the social sciences. Fellows apply as individuals, even if their work has been undertaken within an institution. The Fellowship is open to women of all nationalities and backgrounds, from any country in the world, with proficiency in English language.

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Application Process

As part of the application, applicants should submit a letter of interest, their full CV, and a description of the capstone project they propose to work on during the Fellowship year.

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The letter of interest should be no more than two pages and should introduce the candidate while addressing the following questions:

1. Describe a project, initiative, or leadership role through which you created positive impact.

2. Offer insight into your leadership approach and explain how you have demonstrated empathy, ethical judgement, and a commitment to human dignity.

3. Give examples of how you have engaged in cross-cultural dialogue, community service, or collaboration.​

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The capstone project should be a locally rooted initiative and may be at varying stages of development, from planning to launch. Fellows will receive customised skills training and purposeful, milestone-based mentorship to support the progress of their capstone projects.

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In your 1–2-page capstone project description, please address the following questions:

1. Describe your capstone project, its current stage of development, the proposed timeline, and details of any funding you have secured to date.

2. Which community does this project serve, and what are your goals for its impact?

3. How do you envision the capstone project advancing through the Fellowship experience?

4. Ideally, which mentors in your field would you be eager to work with or receive guidance from on your capstone project?

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