This in-person intensive two-week course at University College London (UCL) seeks to foster a curiosity and solutions-driven mindset through a series of actions — open dialogue, consultation, exploration, and reflection — and to create a dynamic feedback loop that leads to transferable and scalable outcomes.

University College London (UCL) will host the third cohort of the Holcim Foundation Fellowship in July/August 2025, open to candidates studying at a university in Europe. Students will come to UCL’s Bloomsbury Campus to collaborate closely with lecturers, tutors and industry experts, observing, analyzing, and challenging ideas while developing interdisciplinary strategies to scale local innovations focusing on tomorrow’s resilience.

Fellows will also engage with case study projects in London, connecting with professionals to gain first-hand insights into the pioneering work and leadership shaping transformative, regionally inspired solutions. They will produce final projects that will be documented in a digital publication that will become a reference for future students and professionals worldwide. Upon completion of the program, selected Fellows will be chosen to take part in the next step of the journey - the Holcim Foundation Emerging ChangeMakers.

Applications are open to those in the fields of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning, Historic Preservation, Structural/Civil/Construction Engineering and Real Estate Development at any university in Europe. The candidate must be a current final year Masters student (who will finish their studies no later than October 31, 2025) or a recent Masters graduate (who graduated no sooner than January 1, 2023).

• Expose final year professional degree students within the built environment to realities of practice on building sites and the end-user’s experience – bridging the gaps between academia, the profession and society.
• Foster the adoption of a humble posture of learning among professionals and students as a way to close the knowledge and execution gap.
• Empower students by equipping them with the skills required to succeed as catalysts for industry transformation in their studies and future careers.
• Support career development, continued learning, mentorship, and collaboration through future participation in Holcim Foundation international programs, events and networking opportunities.

• 15 candidates from across Europe will be selected as Holcim Foundation Fellows to take part in this unique program - from July 21 to August 1, 2025 - at UCL in London.
• Participants will engage in focused lectures, discussions and talks on relevant themes, led by UCL faculty and other guest interdisciplinary experts, lecturers and building industry practitioners.
• Learnings will be shared in discussions with professionals aligned with Holcim Foundation’s goals and principles.
• Selected participants will embark on the next phase of the journey as a Holcim Foundation Emerging ChangeMaker and open the door to a transformative experience that could shape their future and contribute to the transformation of the industry.

Partnering Firms

Site visits of real projects will provide an immersive experience, exploring user needs, planning requirements and innovative construction methodologies, in collaboration with AL_A, BDP, Eckersley O’Callaghan and Expedition Engineering.

Upon completion of the Fellowship at UCL, the next Fellowship for Europe will take place in Brussels on September 1-12, 2025. The second European Fellowship, hosted by ETH Zurich, is themed: Designing Incentives for Change - focusing on advocating the importance of renovating Europe’s existing built environment.

The application process for the Fellowship with ETH Zurich is similar to the Fellowship at UCL. Applicants are encouraged to apply to the Fellowship that is most relevant to their respective field of interest and expertise.

Successful applicants will be allowed to take part in one Fellowship only.