KAICIID Fellows Programme
The KAICIID Fellows Programme is an ongoing capacity development and networking programme that starts with one year of hybrid training. The Programme is designed to connect and cultivate a network of leaders committed to fostering peace in their communities through interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Since its launch in 2015, the Programme has equipped more than 500 Fellows from 92 countries with the dialogue skills needed to tackle real-world challenges – such as hate speech, communal conflict, and violent extremism. Fellows can be part of the international or regional cohorts including the Arab Region, Africa, Europe, South and South-east Asia and Latin America.
Who are the Fellows?
The Fellows are a global community of diverse religious leaders, educators and dialogue practitioners from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and other religious backgrounds. The international cohort includes Fellows from different parts of the world, while regional cohorts draw Fellows from their respective regions and use the regional languages. The content and the format of the training, resources, and the opportunities offered are the same in all cohorts.
What do the Fellows study?
The Fellows Programme includes three intensive residential trainings which cover interreligious dialogue theory, dialogue facilitation and project sustainability and evaluation. Throughout the trainings, Fellows visit diverse houses of worship and learn to facilitate their own site-visits. KAICIID also provides Fellows with small grants to implement dialogue projects tailored to the needs of their institutions and communities. Past initiatives have included interfaith youth projects, trainings in interreligious/intercultural dialogue for future religious leaders, hate speech awareness campaigns, and initiatives designed to empower women at the global policymaking table.
What is the KAICIID Fellows Alumni Network?
The KAICIID Fellows Alumni Network connects programme graduates with a vibrant community of global changemakers. The Network has helped Fellows expand and deepen the impact of their initiatives, allowing them to share best practices with one another and find funding and resources. The Network also provides continuing learning and professional development opportunities to reinforce lasting outcomes in the field.
Who Can Apply?
Each year, the KAICIID Fellows Programme selects a new group of extraordinary leaders and educators, with a proven ability of advancing interreligious dialogue in their institutions and communities. The acceptance rate in 2025 was 4%.
For more information about the application process and the programme in general, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Requirements:
- Ability to Engage in Complex Dialogue: Capacity to engage in dialogue on complex topics in English (for international cohorts) or the appropriate regional language (Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese) for regional cohorts.
- Institutional Support: Representation of or endorsement by an organization or institution.
- Relevant Background: Experience or education in a field related to religions, interreligious or intercultural dialogue, international development, peace and reconciliation, or working with religious communities.
- Openness to Diversity: Willingness to collaborate with individuals from globally diverse religious, cultural, and ideological backgrounds.
- Commitment to Full Participation: Availability and commitment to attend all components of the Programme, including in-person training sessions and online activities.
- Additional Requirements: Specific Programme cohorts may have specific requirements, such as residence in a specific region, or work in a specific field.
We are revising our application process. The applications for the 2026 Fellows Programme will be opened in May 2025.
APPLY HERE
Please visit our frequently asked questions for more information
