Apply for the beVisioneers Mercedes-Benz Fellowship 2027(Fully Funded)

Application Deadline: January 31, 2026

Applications are now open for the beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship 2027, a fully funded fellowship for young people developing innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The programme supports young eco-innovators with training, mentoring, venture coaching, project development resources and access to an international community.

Implemented by The DO School Fellowships and funded by Mercedes-Benz, beVisioneers is designed to help young innovators move from an environmental idea or early-stage project toward a tested solution with potential for wider impact. The fellowship combines online learning with community activities, expert guidance and practical project development.

For young Africans working on climate, waste management, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, conservation, circular economy or other environmental challenges, the fellowship can provide more than funding. It offers an opportunity to strengthen entrepreneurial skills, build relationships with experienced innovators and develop a project within a structured international community.

The programme is particularly relevant to young people who want to turn their concern about an environmental problem into practical action. Previous entrepreneurial experience or formal technical training is not necessarily required; applicants can apply with an early-stage project or, in some circumstances, a strong idea supported by evidence that they understand the problem and have begun exploring a solution.

About the beVisioneers Mercedes-Benz Fellowship

beVisioneers is a two-year development journey focused on planet-positive innovation and youth leadership. Its first year is a 12-month Foundation Year that combines online innovation training, venture coaching, mentoring, expert sessions and community-based Local Hub activities.

Fellows are expected to dedicate at least 24 hours per month to the programme. The structure is intended to allow participants to continue with university, employment or other commitments while developing their environmental projects.

During the Foundation Year, participants work toward developing and testing their solutions. Those who progress further can enter the Acceleration Year, where the emphasis shifts toward strengthening, scaling and sustaining their projects.

The programme is implemented by The DO School Fellowships and funded by Mercedes-Benz. beVisioneers describes its mission as equipping young innovators aged 18–28 with the training, expert support and resources needed to bring planet-positive ideas to life.

Benefits of the beVisioneers Fellowship

Selected Fellows can gain access to:

Fully funded participation with no programme participation fee.
Innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship training.
One-on-one mentoring and venture coaching.
Expert and peer support from an international community.
Local Hub gatherings and Regional Summit experiences.
Opportunities to participate in international networking activities.
Financial and technology support for eligible participants who need assistance to participate.
Opportunities to apply for project scholarships of up to €20,000 for project development.
Further coaching and scaling support during the Acceleration Year.
Access to the wider beVisioneers alumni and innovation community.

The fellowship’s 2025 impact report also indicates that many Fellows entered without previous entrepreneurship experience, while a large proportion of Year 1 Fellows reported being prepared to launch their projects.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is aimed at young environmental innovators. Key requirements include:

Be within the programme’s specified age range for the relevant application round.
Currently live in an eligible country and remain in an eligible country while participating and implementing the project.
Have a good command of written and spoken English.
Demonstrate commitment to positive environmental change.
Have an existing early-stage environmental project or a strong idea addressing a clearly defined environmental problem.
Demonstrate initiative, persistence and willingness to develop the solution.
Applicants must not work for Mercedes-Benz or have a parent or guardian who does.

Nigeria is among the countries listed as eligible on the current application platform, alongside several other African countries including Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Applicants who are already working in a team should note that Fellows are selected individually. Each interested team member must therefore submit a separate application.

Application Process and Deadline

The application is completed online and includes written questions and a short video component. Applicants can save their progress and return to the application before submitting it. The organisers indicate that completing the application takes approximately 30–45 minutes.

How to Apply

Visit the official beVisioneers application platform.
Register an account and access the application form.
Prepare clear answers describing your environmental challenge, proposed solution and motivation.
Complete the written application.
Record and submit the required short video.
Review your application carefully before submitting.
If shortlisted, complete any additional assessment requested by the programme.

Application deadline: The opportunity listing provided for this article states 31 January 2027. Because the official application platform can update round-specific dates and requirements, applicants should confirm the deadline displayed on the application page before submitting.

How to Strengthen Your Application

A strong application should demonstrate more than enthusiasm for environmental sustainability. Show that you understand a specific problem and have thought seriously about how your solution could address it.

If you already have a prototype, pilot, research findings, customer conversations or early users, explain what you have learned. If your project is still at the idea stage, provide evidence that you have investigated the problem and taken initial steps to test your assumptions. The programme specifically notes that idea-stage applicants need to demonstrate strong understanding and meaningful commitment.

When answering application questions, focus on:

The environmental problem you are addressing.
Who is affected and why the problem matters.
What makes your proposed solution practical.
What you have already done.
What you have learned from your early efforts.
The environmental and community impact you hope to create.
Why you are personally committed to solving the problem.
What you hope to accomplish during the fellowship.

For the video, speak naturally and clearly. Avoid simply repeating your written answers. Use the opportunity to communicate your motivation, personality and commitment to the project.

Most importantly, apply early. Give yourself time to review your answers, test your video and ensure that your project description is specific and evidence-based.

Conclusion

The beVisioneers Mercedes-Benz Fellowship offers young innovators a structured environment to develop environmental ideas while building skills, networks and practical experience. For eligible applicants in Africa and other participating countries, it can be an opportunity to connect local environmental challenges with global innovation networks.

If you are between the required age range and have an early-stage environmental project or a well-developed idea, start preparing your application now rather than waiting until the deadline.

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE

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