Become a Global Leader: Apply Now for the Fully Funded McCain Global Leaders Program 2025!

About the Funded McCain Global Leaders Program

The McCain Global Leaders Program supports character-driven leaders from around the world. It embodies Senator John McCain’s legacy of serving a cause greater than oneself. Specifically, this program is structured as a 10-month fellowship and experiential learning experience. Each cohort will include 25 diverse leaders actively working “in the arena” to advance democracy, human rights, and freedom. Consequently, the program aims to enhance each leader’s personal and professional journey. It provides training, resources, and access to relevant regional and global networks. Ultimately, the goal is to prepare today’s leaders to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Financial Coverage for the 2025 Funded McCain Global Leaders Program Cohort

The McCain Institute will fully cover the direct costs of participation. This includes economy-class travel, hotels, visas, meals, and incidentals. Therefore, there will be no financial burden other than the time commitment required for participation in the program.

Eligibility

Applicants should be mid-career professionals who possess working proficiency in English. Additionally, they must actively work on the program’s focus areas. Aspiring McCain Global Leaders (MGLs) should hold leadership roles and strive to enact change in their communities. Furthermore, candidates must be committed to serving a cause greater than themselves. They should also be willing to fully participate in virtual engagements, in-person programs, and post-program alumni activities. Notably, there are no minimum educational requirements.

Each year, the McCain Institute selects target sectors and issues specific to that program year. Thus, applicants from all countries and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Key criteria for acceptance include leadership capacity, vision, and a commitment to serving a cause greater than oneself, alongside fulfillment of other eligibility requirements.

A Regional and Global Approach

To adapt to the ever-changing global environment, the McCain Institute determines a global thematic focus area. Additionally, it identifies technical areas for each region. In doing so, the Institute recruits participants who work on relevant issues related to each theme. Throughout the 12-month program, leaders will engage in both regional and global programming. This approach connects them with a relevant professional peer group in their home region and a broader global network.

2025 Global Theme: Advancing Democracy and Human Rights

The McCain Institute recognizes the complex global landscape. This includes great-power competitions, authoritarianism, threats to democracy, and climate change. Furthermore, 2025 will bring unprecedented challenges due to recent and upcoming elections and conflicts worldwide. Therefore, the Institute seeks a diverse cohort of leaders dedicated to advancing democracy and human rights in their home countries through various professions and projects.

2025 Regional Themes

• Western Hemisphere: Protecting the Human Rights of Migrants: This theme will unite individuals working to reduce push factors related to migration. It will focus on creating policies that humanize the migration process and enhance the safety and well-being of migrants.
• Europe and Eurasia: Countering the Spread of Authoritarianism: The regional cohort will address democratic backsliding and external threats from Russia. They will explore solutions to disinformation and rising nationalism while connecting with networks that advance democracy and human rights.
• Africa and the Middle East: Building the Foundations for Conflict Resolution: Conflict persists in these regions. Young leaders must identify solutions for resolution. The cohort will examine the drivers of conflict and humanitarian consequences, learning from regional case studies and building expert networks.
• Asia and Oceania: Managing the Great Power Competition in the Asia-Pacific: This region faces competition between China and the United States over economic and security interests. The cohort will focus on threats to stability, exploring how advancing democracy and human rights can counteract this instability.

Following in Senator John McCain’s footsteps, leaders will embark on a journey. This journey will equip them with the tools needed to champion democracy in their home countries and regions.

Connecting Leaders from Around the World

Leaders are selected through a competitive, open recruitment process. Each annual cohort includes up to 25 leaders, divided into four regional groupings. Although there is no age requirement, leaders typically range from 25 to 45 years old. They should possess a strong record of serving a cause greater than themselves and have experience working on the global theme of defending democracy. Additionally, the McCain Institute emphasizes diversity across gender, ethnicity, disability, political viewpoint, economic background, and education.

Cohort 2025 Programming Schedule

Leaders will participate in three impactful in-person events, complemented by online learning. These events include expert-led practical skills training and an integrated leadership development curriculum. This curriculum is inspired by Senator McCain’s legacy and emphasizes peer mentoring and group problem-solving.

Summer 2025

The McCain Leadership Curriculum: Throughout the program, leaders will engage in a curriculum administered both online and in person. This curriculum incorporates lessons from Senator McCain’s life. Consequently, it reinforces in-person engagements while focusing on community building and group problem-solving. A central tenet of this curriculum is a dynamic peer-mentorship model. Through this model, leaders support each other’s journeys directly. Ultimately, the curriculum helps each leader chart their path as a changemaker while imparting real-world skills. These skills will assist leaders in tackling the most difficult challenges facing their home countries and regions.

Fall 2025

Annapolis, M.D. and Washington, D.C.: The first in-person event, the Leadership Experience, will unite all participants for the first time. This event takes place at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and in Washington, D.C. Over the course of 10 days, leaders will be exposed to the principles that guided Senator McCain’s leadership approach. They will connect with experts in their core thematic areas and key decision-makers. Furthermore, leaders will collaborate with experts to establish their own leadership philosophies and goals.

Winter 2025/2026

The Changemaker Tour (Host Country in Each Region): The second in-person event convenes each regional cohort and members of the Global Advisory Council for five-day regional study tours. These tours provide exposure to the global theme of defending democracy in a host country. Additionally, they focus on developing targeted regional connections and networks. Leaders will have the opportunity to discuss solutions and ideas related to the theme. While exploring regional professional collaborations is encouraged, it is not required. The McCain Institute will actively support any resulting collaborations. Each respective region will have one Changemaker Tour. Past tours have occurred in Colombia, Poland, Singapore, and South Africa.

Spring 2026

The Legacy Experience (Vietnam): The capstone event of the 10-month journey will bring all leaders together once more in a country significant to Senator McCain’s leadership journey. The Legacy Experience will take place in Vietnam and will examine the relationship between Senator McCain and the Vietnamese people. During this seven-day trip, leaders, MGL alumni, and members of the Global Advisory Council will reflect on their experiences throughout the program. They will share how their leadership philosophies have evolved, explore professional collaborations, and outline the next steps in their leadership journeys. Additionally, they will learn about the resources available to them as program alumni.

The 2025 application window is open until February 21, 2025.

Click here to apply and take the next step in your leadership journey!

For inquiries, please email: leadershipinitiatives@mccaininstitute.org.

You can also view the Youth Action Lab Grants initiatives in Africa and Europe 2025.