FASPE Fellowship 2026: Berlin & Poland Fully Funded

The FASPE Fellowship is a unique leadership fellowship that blends historical insight with modern professional ethics. Each year, FASPE (Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics) challenges graduate students and emerging professionals to reflect on ethical leadership by studying the actions of 1930s–’45 professionals. In 2026, this fully-funded two-week program returns to Berlin and Poland, immersing fellows in the very settings where history offers crucial lessons. Participants travel together through Berlin, Kraków, and Auschwitz/Oswiecim while attending daily seminars led by expert faculty.

This global opportunity equips the next generation of leaders in fields ranging from business and law to journalism and medicine with a deeper sense of responsibility in their careers. Through these intensive experiences, FASPE promotes ethical leadership and ensures that graduates become more informed, courageous changemakers.

Fellowship Overview

The 2026 FASPE Fellowship is hosted by FASPE, a New York–based nonprofit dedicated to ethical leadership training. Established in 2009, FASPE offers intensive, two-week programs for graduate students and early-career professionals in six fields: Business, Clergy (Religious Leadership), Design & Technology, Journalism, Law, and Medicine. By examining the real-life decisions of professionals under the Nazi regime, the fellowship shows how technical expertise must be coupled with moral courage. FASPE’s distinctive curriculum uses the “power of place” in Germany and Poland: Fellows visit historic sites and daily seminars to turn history into a lesson on contemporary ethics. In recent years FASPE awards about 80-90 fellowships annually, making this a highly sought-after global program for future leaders.

In short, the FASPE Fellowship is an immersive ethics and leadership program: it brings together bright minds from around the world to study professional responsibility in the context of history, and to translate those lessons into today’s professional settings.

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Fellowship Details

• Country: Germany & Poland
• Host Organization: FASPE (Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics)
• Duration: 2 Weeks (spring/summer 2026)
• Funding/Type: Fully funded professional ethics training program

Eligibility Criteria

• Education: Open to graduate students (master’s, MBA, JD, MD, etc.) and recent graduates, as well as early-career professionals. (Typically applicants are in the formative stage of their careers.)
• Fields: Candidates should be studying or working in Business, Law, Medicine, Journalism, Design/Technology, or Clergy/Religious Leadership. Each program track has specific guidelines (see FASPE’s website).
• Experience: No strict minimum, but FASPE favors those who demonstrate emerging leadership potential and up to ~10 years of experience in their field.
• Nationality: Open to applicants from any country there are no citizenship restrictions. Fellows come from around the globe.
• Skills: All applicants must have sufficient English proficiency to participate in seminars. Strong communication skills and an interest in ethics are essential.

Benefits & Funding

• Full Funding: All fellowship costs are covered. This includes round-trip economy airfare to Berlin, ground transportation in Germany and Poland, hotels (shared rooms), meals, and admissions to all program activities. Fellows even receive a daily stipend for any extra meals.
• Academic Program: Fellows participate in daily seminars and discussions led by experts in ethics and history. The curriculum explores how professional skills were used during the Nazi era and applies those lessons to today’s ethical dilemmas.
• Historical Immersion: The program itinerary is built around visits to key historical sites. Expect guided tours in Berlin, Kraków, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, where you’ll learn on-site about how professionals in different fields faced moral choices. This immersive approach (“power of place”) makes the learning deeply impactful.
• Networking & Community: You will be part of a diverse, interdisciplinary cohort of 80–90 fellows. Because Business, Law, and Design fellows travel together in May–June, and Medicine, Clergy, and Journalism in June–July, you’ll broaden your perspective across fields. FASPE also has a vibrant alumni network of 900+ graduates, offering ongoing mentorship, events, and professional connections.
• Professional Development: The experience strengthens leadership skills, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making. Workshops and group projects foster teamwork and communication. By confronting tough historical cases, fellows learn to navigate complex loyalties and innovate ethically in their careers.

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Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Review Eligibility & Select a Track: Confirm you fit one of the six program categories (Business, Medicine, etc.) and meet the academic/professional criteria. Plan which track (field) you will apply for.
2. Create an Account & Fill Out the Online Form: Go to the FASPE Submittable portal. Complete the online cover form with your personal details (contact info, education history, etc.) and the names/emails of your two recommenders.
3. Prepare Your Resume/CV: Upload a current CV highlighting your education, work experience, honors, awards, and publications. Emphasize any leadership roles or ethics-related work.
4. Gather Transcripts: Submit unofficial transcripts from all higher education institutions where you studied (excluding single summer courses). If you are in your first year and lack grades, submit a dean’s letter confirming enrollment.
5. Answer Essay Questions: Each track has a set of short-answer essays on Submittable. Give thoughtful, concise answers (usually a few hundred words each) that reflect your experiences and views on ethical leadership.
6. Request Two Recommendation Letters: Ask two referees (professors or employers) to submit recommendation letters on your behalf. Provide their names and contact info in the form. Recommenders will receive an email link to upload their letters by Jan 9, 2026. Choose recommenders who can attest to your leadership potential and character.
7. Submit the Application: Review all entries carefully. Once you have uploaded the form, CV, transcripts, essays, and listed your recommenders, hit submit by the deadline. The final deadline for application submission is January 4, 2026 (11:59 PM EST). (After submission, ensure your recommenders submit their letters by Jan 9.)

Application Deadline

Deadline: January 4, 2026 (11:59 PM EST). No late applications are accepted. Mark this date clearly on your calendar and prepare all materials in advance to avoid last-minute issues.

Tips for Applicants

• Start Early: This is a highly competitive fellowship. Begin your preparation months in advance. Gather transcripts and request recommendation letters well before the January deadline. Leaving time for reviews can greatly improve your submission.
• Know FASPE’s Mission: Read about FASPE’s history and curriculum. Tailor your essays to explain why an ethics training in Berlin/Poland speaks to you. Demonstrating genuine interest in FASPE’s focus (history-informed ethics) makes your application stand out.
• Reflect Deeply: FASPE values self-awareness and critical thinking. In your essays, share concrete examples of ethical challenges you’ve faced or observed. Be honest and self-reflective show how you’ve learned from difficult choices. Avoid clichés; authenticity resonates.
• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize any leadership roles (academic projects, internships, volunteering, etc.). Illustrate your potential to influence others positively, since FASPE looks for “leadership capabilities” and open-minded fellows.
• Connect the Dots: Explain how the fellowship aligns with your career goals. Whether you’re a business student or medical resident, clarify how learning from history will impact your ethical decision-making in your field. Specific, realistic goals can impress reviewers.
• Prepare Your Recommenders: Choose professors or supervisors who know you well. Provide them with context about FASPE (its focus on ethics and history). The strongest letters will discuss your collaborative skills, moral judgment, and ability to handle intense conversations.

Conclusion

The FASPE Fellowship 2026 in Berlin and Poland is a prestigious, life-changing opportunity for those who want to become ethical leaders in their professions. By joining this global program, you’ll gain deep historical insight, invaluable professional development, and a network of peers and mentors. The experience is challenging but rewarding – you will return with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility in your career. Don’t miss this chance to grow as a leader and thinker.

“Apply now and take the first step toward becoming a global changemaker!”

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