Aspire Leaders Program 2025 - Cohort 5

Aspire Leaders Program is a fully funded global leadership initiative created by Harvard Business School faculty, designed to empower underserved youth from around the world. The Aspire Leaders Program 2025 offers a unique 4-week online curriculum with no requirement for IELTS or other English proficiency tests, making it accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. The program features three transformative modules that help young individuals enhance their leadership potential, connect with a global network of peers, and build the confidence to create change within their communities.

Eligibility

• Be 18-29 years old
• Be a current undergraduate student or recent graduate who has not proceeded to a graduate program
• Meet at least ONE of the following:
  • Come from a limited-income background
    • Aspire defines “limited income” broadly. They trust applicants to self-identify based on their life circumstances. There’s no strict income cutoff; instead, the application includes questions to help you reflect on your access to resources and opportunities in your own context. If you’ve had fewer opportunities than others in your community, you likely qualify.
  • Be first-generation to attend university in their family

Program Date/Format

• Application Deadline: October 1,2025
• Duration of Program: October 15 - December 16 2025 (4 weeks)
• Format: entirely online via "My Aspire Portal."
  • All modules, live sessions, masterclasses, and peer interactions are conducted through this web-based portal
• Language: English

Program Modules

Module 1 (Approx. 3 Weeks)

Personal & Professional Development

• Strengths-based leadership skills assessment.
• Professional development resources co-created with Harvard Business School for creating a LinkedIn profile, crafting your resume, tips for interviewing, and how to network.
• Live interactions among a global cohort of peers.

Module 2 (Approx. 5 Weeks)

Aspire Horizons Leadership Course

Leadership development course designed and delivered by Harvard University faculty. 

Topics:

• Understanding Yourself as a Leader.

• Importance of Understanding Context and Building Trust

• Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence

• Addressing Community Challenges

• Being in Action in Your Communities Worldwide

Masterclasses (Throughout the Program)

Immersive Learning Experiences

• Synchronous sessions led by world-class educators from universities around the world
• Live learning and discussions with a global cohort of peers and mentors.