Call for Applications: Morehead-Cain Global Fellows Program 2027–2028
Dear Students,
Under the cooperation established between Boğaziçi University and the Morehead-Cain Foundation, applications are now open to Boğaziçi University students for the Morehead-Cain Global Fellows Program 2027-2028.
[Please read all the information provided below carefully!]
The Morehead-Cain Global Fellowship
The Morehead-Cain Global Fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) offers exceptional undergraduate student leaders from around the world a fully funded, transformational academic year beginning in August 2027. Throughout the fellowship, participants become part of the Morehead-Cain community, benefiting from leadership development, academic enrichment, research opportunities, and global engagement while studying at one of the United States' leading public universities.
As the program enters its third cohort, we strongly encourage all interested students to explore the experiences of previous Global Fellows. You may learn more through the program website, news stories featuring former fellows—including Boğaziçi University student, Güneş Tuğcu, and other program highlights available through the links below:
Program Website: https://global.moreheadcain.org/
- First Morehead-Cain Global Fellows Come to Carolina
- Güneş Tuğcu Loves to Learn — and Pay It Forward
- Global Fellow Hopes to Explore the United States
- The Catalyze Podcast – Meet the Inaugural Class
- Research Spotlight: Global Fellow Advances Greener Battery Manufacturing
Eligibility for the Program
- To have completed at least two academic years (excluding the English preparatory education) consisting of 2 spring and 2 fall terms, by the end of the Academic Year 2026-2027.
- To remain enrolled at Boğaziçi University for at least one more semester (excluding summer terms) following their return from the program in scope of the Fellowship.
Important Notice: The students in their fourth year are not eligible to apply.
- To have a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00. (as of the date of application)
- Not to have received any disciplinary penalties.
What Makes a Strong Candidate?
Strong Candidates Are Those Who:
- demonstrate academic excellence and the ability to thrive in a rigorous university environment.
- take initiative and have a track record of positive leadership impact.
- approach new ideas and experiences with curiosity, resilience, and integrity.
- seek opportunities to serve and strengthen their communities.
- are ready to take an unconventional step in their undergraduate journey and immerse themselves in a different academic and cultural environment.
- will return to their home university after their year at Carolina to complete their degree and bring new perspectives to their community.
Important Dates for the Applicants
- University Internal Application Opens: September 10, 2026
- University Internal Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
- Application for the Nominated Candidates on the system: October 15-30, 2026
- Finalist Notification: November 23, 2026
- Final Selection Experience: February 4–8, 2027
- Recipient Notification: February 16, 2027
- Arrival in the United States (Outdoor Leadership Program): Late July 2027
- First Day of Classes at UNC-Chapel Hill: August 16, 2027
How to apply?
Step 1: Internal Application & Pre-selection by the university
Submit your application through the university application form.
Step 2: Nomination by the university
Selected students will be nominated for the program
Step 3: Submitting the application through the Morehead Cain Website
Nominated students will submit their application through the online application system on the Morehead Cain foundation website.
Please note that candidates cannot submit their application directly to the Morehead-Cain Global Fellows Program. Before an application can be submitted, each student must first be nominated by Boğaziçi University. The application submitted without a nomination by the university will not be taken into consideration.
Required Documents for the University Internal Application
- Official Transcript
- English Proficiency Test Score Report (BUEPT, IELTS Academic, TOEFL-IBT, CEA)
- Motivation Letter
- Any documents supporting the application
Required Documents for the University Internal Application
Following Step 2 (Nomination), nominated candidates will be required to complete a separate application through the program’s official website. In addition to the documents requested by the university, candidates will be asked to submit:
- A short video essay introducing themselves and explaining their motivation for participating in the program.
- Two letters of recommendation:
- One from a faculty member at Boğaziçi University;
- One from a referee outside the university. This letter may be provided by, for example, a supervisor or representative from an organization where the candidate has worked, completed an internship, volunteered, or participated in extracurricular or other relevant activities.
Please note that the reference letters and video essay are not required as part of the university’s internal application process. These documents will only be requested from candidates nominated by Boğaziçi University when they proceed with their application through the program’s official website.
Online Information Sessions Organized by Morehead Cain Foundation
Representatives of the Morehead-Cain Foundation will offer two virtual information sessions during the nomination and application period for prospective nominees They provide an overview of the Global Fellows experience, application and selection process, and answer questions from students.
Administrative Processes at Boğaziçi University
- This fellowship is not an exchange program administered by the Office of International Relations. Students selected for the program will be responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals from their academic department and faculty for a one-year leave of absence, as well as completing any required credit transfer procedures upon their return, where applicable.
- Since this program is not an exchange program, and its application and selection process are conducted entirely separately from regular exchange applications. Therefore, the two processes should not be confused or considered related.
- Although the program will take place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, any previous exchange application a candidate may have submitted to the university will have no impact on their application to this program. Likewise, participation in or application to this program will not affect any future exchange application the candidate may submit for an exchange program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Detailed guidance regarding the leave of absence and credit transfer procedures will be provided to admitted students after the completion of the selection process.
For more information, please submit your inquiries to globalprograms@bogazici.edu.tr
We encourage all interested students to take advantage of this outstanding opportunity and to attend the online information session to learn more about the fellowship and the application process.
