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Students at ESMT Berlin

Credit: ESMT Berlin

The collaboration between BMW Group and ESMT Berlin is entering its fifth year. In 2026, the BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship will once again empower emerging leaders who are committed to driving digital transformation. The fellowship opportunities are offered within ESMT’s Full-time MBA, MSc programs, and the Global Online MBA.

For the next academic cycle, a total of eight fellowships will be granted:

• two fellowships for the Full-time MBA (January 2027 intake)

• two fellowships for the MSc programs (September 2026 intake)

• four fellowships for the Global Online MBA (October 2026 intake)

This initiative highlights the joint commitment of BMW Group and ESMT Berlin to recognize exceptional talent and cultivate responsible leaders capable of creating meaningful impact in business and society.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with ESMT into its fifth year. Today more than ever, we need leaders who embrace responsibility and harness digitalization and technology to shape tomorrow. At BMW, responsible leadership is a core value — it means addressing societal challenges proactively and guiding our teams through transformation,” says Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for People and Real Estate, and Labor Relations Director.

The BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship targets candidates with a strong STEM background who wish to expand their technical expertise through advanced management education. The programs integrate technological proficiency with leadership development and business strategy, equipping participants to lead digital innovation and contribute to the evolution of the mobility sector.

BMW Group employs over 10,000 IT and software specialists across the globe and maintains an international network of IT hubs located in Germany, India, Portugal, Romania, Brazil, China, the United States, and South Africa. In line with this global presence, the 2026 Change Maker Fellowships are open to applicants from countries where BMW Group IT hubs operate.

ESMT President Jörg Rocholl states, “We appreciate BMW Group’s continued support of this important initiative. As digital transformation and artificial intelligence redefine leadership demands, the Change Maker Fellowship bridges technological expertise with management education, preparing participants to take on responsibility in a rapidly changing environment.”

The fellowship is designed for applicants with strong quantitative or technology-oriented backgrounds. Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline or possess current professional experience in fields such as computer science, information technology, automation, or digital transformation.

All applicants must also satisfy the admission criteria of their chosen ESMT program.

Eligibility is limited to citizens or permanent residents of Germany, India, Portugal, Romania, Brazil, China, the United States, and South Africa. Individuals with officially recognized refugee status in Germany may also apply. For the Full-time MBA and MSc programs, applicants must be no older than 30 as of September 1, 2026.

As part of the selection process, candidates are required to respond to the following prompt: “The BMW Group actively shapes the future of mobility: what aspect of a digital future fascinates you most, and why?”

Further details about the fellowship and the application procedure are available upon request.