About this opportunity
Thunderbird SHARE Fellows are change makers, in the school's own words. The programme was founded in 2007 by alumnus Marshall Parke, who learned from working in developing countries that a degree is only half the battle, because students also need networks and mentoring. Today dozens of Thunderbird alumni contribute money and time, a typical Fellow works with at least 10 alumni during the programme, and SHARE ensures full tuition and expense money so its Fellows can participate fully in campus life, take unpaid internships and attend optional academic programmes.
What makes SHARE different from a usual scholarship is the mentoring model. Fellows receive individualised training, goal setting, tutoring and high level introductions from multiple experts and senior executives, and they are taught business communication and networking skills so they can build their own professional relationships rather than wait for them. A typical Fellow graduates with a developed network of executive mentors in their industry or geography, and the community gives back: 85 percent of Fellows volunteer with the programme and 30 percent contribute financially after graduating.
The selection criteria reward purpose and grit over pedigree. Thunderbird wants applicants from a low or middle income country, guided by the OECD list of ODA countries or similar regions, regardless of the passport they currently hold, with a plan to make a positive impact in their home region, strong financial need considered, clarity of professional goals and why the Master of Global Management degree is essential to them, entrepreneurial experience and a demonstrated spirit of innovation in any sector, a global mindset, proven leadership and community involvement, and at least five years of relevant professional experience or equivalent skills from hands on opportunities. You also need to satisfy Thunderbird's separate admission requirements for the degree itself.
The cycle moves on a fixed academic rhythm. The Fall application opened 1 September, information sessions run through the autumn, and the hard gate in the timeline is December: to be reviewed for the SHARE Fellowship, students must obtain admission to Thunderbird's Master of Global Management by 31 December 2026, so anyone serious about this should start the degree application and the mandatory information session early. Nominated semi finalists then interview with the SHARE Committee in January and February, and final decisions and recipient notifications land in March and April. Attending one of the official SHARE information sessions is a stated requirement, the next listed session is 5 November 2026 at 9:00 am Arizona time, so build it into your plan before anything else.
What you receive
- Full tuition for the Master of Global Management degree at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University
- Expense money so Fellows can participate fully in campus life, take advantage of unpaid internships and attend optional academic programmes
- Individualised training, goal setting, tutoring and one on one professional coaching
- Introduction to a global network of executive mentors, with a typical Fellow interacting with at least 10 alumni
- Business communication and networking training that helps Fellows build their own professional relationships
- Executive mentors can help Fellows pursue internship opportunities and full time roles
- A lifelong alumni community: 85 percent of Fellows give back through volunteering and 30 percent contribute financially
- Exposure to classmates and professionals from different countries and cultures in a global management learning environment
Who can apply
- From a low or middle income country, guided by the OECD list of ODA recipient countries or similar regions, regardless of current passport
- A plan to make a positive impact in your home region, now or in the future
- Financial need is given strong consideration, as SHARE aims to attract students who would not be able to attend Thunderbird otherwise
- Clarity and viability of professional goals, with a convincing case for why the Thunderbird Master of Global Management degree is essential to achieving them
- Entrepreneurial experience and a demonstrated spirit of innovation, regardless of sector
- Global interests and a demonstrated global mindset
- Demonstrated leadership and community involvement
- At least five years of relevant professional experience, or equivalent skills from hands on opportunities
- Attendance at an official SHARE Fellowship information session, the next listed session is 5 November 2026 at 9:00 am Arizona time
- Separate admission to Thunderbird's Master of Global Management programme, obtained by 31 December 2026 to be reviewed for the fellowship
Who should not apply
- Admission to the Master of Global Management by 31 December 2026 is mandatory for fellowship review; a SHARE interest alone does not qualify you
- Mentor introductions do not guarantee employment, an internship or any particular career outcome, since placements depend on your qualifications, opportunity availability, employer requirements and work authorisation
- Travel, visa applications, health insurance and books are not listed in the published award terms, so do not assume they are covered
- The award is up to full tuition and expense money; the exact package is confirmed in Thunderbird's official programme terms
- Skipping the information session is not an option, since attendance is a stated eligibility requirement
Documents to prepare
- Thunderbird Master of Global Management application and any documents the admissions team requests
- A statement of your plan to make a positive impact in your home region
- Evidence of at least five years of relevant professional experience or equivalent hands on skills
- Financial information supporting your need, following the official instructions
- Confirmation of attendance at an official SHARE information session
- Proof of the interview stages, since selection includes an admissions interview and a final SHARE Committee interview
How to apply
- Read the official SHARE Fellowship page at https://thunderbird.asu.edu/degree/future-students/funding/share-fellowship and check the selection criteria against your profile.
- Register for and attend an official SHARE information session, the next listed session is 5 November 2026 at 9:00 am Arizona time, since attendance is required for eligibility.
- Complete the SHARE pre assessment survey and any webinar steps listed for the cycle.
- Start your Thunderbird Master of Global Management application at https://thunderbird.asu.edu/degree/future-students/applying before the October to November window closes, and gather pending documents early.
- Progress through the admissions interview and complete the admissions process.
- Secure admission to the Master of Global Management by 31 December 2026, the stated gate for being reviewed for the fellowship.
- If the Thunderbird Admissions Council nominates you, prepare for your final interview with the SHARE Committee in January or February.
- Await final decisions and recipient notifications in March and April, then accept your award and plan your Fall intake.
Selection process
- September: the Fall application opens 1 September and candidates attend the SHARE webinar and complete the pre assessment survey.
- October to November: candidates submit the Thunderbird Master of Global Management application, complete the admissions process, interview for admissions and gather pending documents.
- December: to be reviewed for the SHARE Fellowship, students must obtain admission to the Master of Global Management by 31 December 2026.
- January to February: eligible admitted students are nominated by the Thunderbird Admissions Council to the SHARE Committee and invited for a final committee interview.
- March to April: final decisions are made, recipients are notified, and Fellows accept their awards.
- Selection weighs impact plans, financial need, clarity of goals, entrepreneurial experience, global mindset and demonstrated leadership, guided by the published criteria.
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Who is the SHARE Fellowship for?
Exceptional professionals from developing countries, guided by the OECD list of ODA recipient countries or similar regions, who plan to make an impact in their home regions and are enrolling in Thunderbird's full time Master of Global Management degree. Your current passport alone does not decide eligibility, so check against the OECD list and Thunderbird's guidance.
What does the fellowship cover?
SHARE ensures full tuition and expense money so Fellows can participate fully in campus life, take unpaid internships and attend optional academic programmes. It is funded entirely by Thunderbird alumni and friends. Travel, visa and insurance costs are not named in the published terms, so confirm them with the school.
Is there a standalone SHARE application deadline?
The published cycle opens the Fall application on 1 September, and the hard date inside the timeline is 31 December 2026, the day you must have obtained Master of Global Management admission to be reviewed for the fellowship. Work backwards from that date rather than hunting for a separate final deadline.
Do I have to attend an information session?
Yes. Attending an official SHARE Fellowship information session is a stated requirement, and the next listed session is 5 November 2026 at 9:00 am Arizona time. Plan for it before you invest in the rest of your application.
How many years of experience do I need?
At least five years of relevant professional experience, or equivalent skills from hands on opportunities. If your background is unconventional, say so clearly in your application and explain the leadership, enterprise or community work that stands in for formal employment.
What does the mentoring side actually involve?
Individualised training, goal setting, tutoring and high level introductions from multiple experts and senior executives, plus training in business communication and networking. A typical Fellow interacts with at least 10 alumni and graduates with a working network of executive mentors in their industry or geography.
When are results announced?
Final decisions come in March and April, when recipients are notified and asked to accept their awards, after committee interviews in January and February.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
