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Munich / Berlin. The BMW Group and ESMT Berlin’s partnership marks its fifth year, with the announcement of the 2026 Change Maker Fellowship aimed at nurturing future leaders in digital transformation. This initiative offers fellowships for ESMT’s Full-time MBA, MSc programmes, and Global Online MBA.
For the upcoming academic year, eight fellowships are set to be awarded:
- Two fellowships for the Full-time MBA (January 2027 intake)
- Two fellowships for the MSc programmes (September 2026 intake)
- Four fellowships for the Global Online MBA (October 2026 intake)
This initiative underscores the joint commitment of BMW Group and ESMT Berlin to identify promising talent and develop responsible leaders who can enact positive change within business and society.
Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, states, “We are proud to be entering the fifth year of our partnership with ESMT. In today’s world, we need leaders who embrace responsibility and leverage technology to shape the future. Responsible leadership is deeply rooted at BMW; it means addressing societal challenges while bringing our people along on this journey.”
The BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship targets candidates with a robust STEM background seeking to augment their technical skills with management education. The programme merges technological know-how with leadership and business acumen, equipping participants to assume responsibilities in digital innovation and influence the future of the mobility sector.
The BMW Group employs over 10,000 IT and software specialists globally, maintaining a network of IT hubs across Germany, India, Portugal, Romania, Brazil, China, the United States, and South Africa. In line with this structure, the 2026 Change Maker Fellowships are available to applicants from countries housing BMW Group IT hubs.
ESMT President Jörg Rocholl adds, “We thank BMW Group for its ongoing partnership in propelling this initiative forward. As digital transformation and artificial intelligence reshape leadership roles, the Change Maker Fellowship integrates technological expertise with management education to prepare participants for responsibilities in this dynamic landscape.”
Who can apply?
The fellowship is open to individuals with a strong quantitative or technology-focused background. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or have pertinent work experience in areas such as computer science, IT, automation, or digitalisation. They must also meet ESMT’s admission criteria for their chosen programme.
Applications are restricted to citizens or permanent residents from Germany, India, Portugal, Romania, Brazil, China, the United States, and South Africa. Those with recognised refugee status in Germany are also eligible.
For the Full-time MBA and MSc programmes, candidates must be under 30 years old by September 1, 2026.
What inspires your digital future?
As part of their application, candidates will respond to the question: “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 application process can be found here.
