Cultivating Conversation Student Fellowship

Elevating Discourse Through Expert-Led Training 

The Cultivating Conversation Student Fellowship is open to returning undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The application period for the 2026–2027 cohort (beginning in September 2026) is open now through 11:59 pm on September 4, 2026.

Early Action: Applications received by 11:59 pm on May 15, 2026 will receive special consideration, and successful early applicants will hear a decision by late June.

Questions? Contact cultivating.conversation@yale.edu.

Apply Here

Fellowship Overview 

The Cultivating Conversation Fellowship is a unique leadership development opportunity for returning undergraduate, graduate, and professional student leaders who are passionate about honing dialogue facilitation and communication skills.

Through the fellowship, students will develop competencies highly sought after in all sectors, industries, and graduate/professional degree programs. Fellows gain practical insights from fields such as communication, psychology, neuroscience, education, and organizational management.

Fellows will engage in six expert-led, in-person workshops throughout the fall and early spring semesters. This selective program combines rigorous intellectual development with practical skill-building, preparing participants to lead and engage in meaningful discourse across academic, professional, and civic contexts.

Part of Yale’s broad Cultivating Conversation initiative, the student fellowship program was developed in response to student feedback.

Learn more: read about the 2025–2026 fellowship in Yale News.

Commitment

Fellows participate in six in-person modules held across the fall and early spring semesters (approximately one two-hour workshop per month), along with opening and closing events. To earn recognition of completion, fellows must attend the opening and closing events and at least five of the six modules. Fellows will be compensated for their time to acknowledge that meaningful leadership development requires meaningful commitment from both the institution and participants. Compensation is up to $200, based on attendance.

Schedule of Events

Three opportunities will be offered to attend each module. Please make sure you are able to meet the attendance requirements before submitting your application.

  • Fellowship kick-off: 
    Wednesday September 16, 5:00–7:00 p.m. 
  • Module 1:  
    Choice of Sept. 23, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; Sept. 24, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; or Sept. 25, 12:00–2:00 p.m.
  • Module 2: 
    Choice of Oct.14, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; Oct.15, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; or Oct.16, 12:00–2:00 p.m. 
  • Module 3: 
    Choice of Nov. 4, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; Nov. 5, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; or Nov. 6, 12:00–2:00 p.m. 
  • Module 4: 
    Choice of Dec. 2, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; Dec. 3, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; or Dec. 4, 12:00–2:00 p.m. 
  • Module 5: 
    Choice of Jan. 27, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; Jan. 28, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; or Jan. 29, 12:00–2:00 p.m. 
  • Module 6: 
    Choice of Feb. 17, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; Feb. 18, 5:00–7:00 p.m.; or Feb. 19, 12:00–2:00 p.m. 
  • Closing Celebration: 
    March 3, 5:00–7:00 p.m. 

Learning Objectives

Through participation in the Cultivating Conversation Student Fellowship, student leaders will deepen their capacity to engage others thoughtfully and develop practical skills to lead and facilitate meaningful conversations. They will learn to sharpen their self-awareness and emotional intelligence as well as be equipped with multiple approaches to successfully navigate complex conversations and disagreement with empathy, curiosity, and intentionality. Fellows can expect tools to cultivate both personal growth and collective impact in their current and future leadership roles.