Cora Weiss Fellowship for Young Women Peacebuilders – Call for Applications (2026 Cohort)

The Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) invites young women based in the United States who are passionate about peacebuilding, human rights, and gender equality to apply for the eighth Cora Weiss Fellowship for Young Women Peacebuilders.

Launched in 2015, this prestigious Fellowship honors the legacy of Cora Weiss by nurturing the next generation of women leaders committed to peace, conflict prevention, and social justice. The Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for young women to deepen their expertise in Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), and global gender equality advocacy.

About the Fellowship

The Cora Weiss Fellow will join GNWP’s team in New York to support the organization’s advocacy programs, research, and training initiatives. Working closely with UN agencies, governments, civil society, and youth networks, the Fellow will gain hands-on experience in international policy engagement and grassroots peacebuilding.

This is a full-time, six-month fellowship running from 1 March 2026 to 31 August 2026. Fellows must not engage in other work—paid or unpaid—during this period.

GNWP will provide:

• Round-trip national airfare to New York
• A monthly stipend of USD 3,500 to cover living costs, transportation, and personal expenses
• Full-time mentorship and engagement in global, intergenerational advocacy spaces

Key Responsibilities

Fellows will contribute to:

• Global advocacy at the United Nations (UNSCR 1325, UNSCR 2250, and related WPS/YPS frameworks)
• Implementation of GNWP programs, including Localization of UNSCR 1325, National Action Plans, and the Young Women+ Leaders for Peace Program
• Research and development of training and advocacy materials on WPS, YPS, and humanitarian action
• Administrative and coordination tasks within the GNWP office (up to four days per week of in-office work required)

Who Should Apply?

The Fellowship is designed for early-career young women who are:

• Based in the United States and legally eligible to work during the fellowship
• Passionate about WPS, YPS, gender equality, peacebuilding, and social justice
• Experienced in civil society engagement, government or UN interactions, policy advocacy, or research
• Strong writers and communicators, with at least one year of professional or internship experience

Highly encouraged to apply:
Young women of marginalized identities, including women of color, refugees/asylum seekers, Indigenous women, and others historically underrepresented in global peace and security spaces.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Peace Studies, Gender Studies, or related fields
• Minimum one year of relevant experience (professional or internship)
• Research, writing, or campaign experience
• Strong digital literacy (MS Office, Google Suite, virtual collaboration tools)
• Commitment to feminist, intersectional, and inclusive peacebuilding

Competencies

• Ability to work collaboratively across regions and time zones
• Strong commitment to social justice, inclusion, and grassroots advocacy
• Excellent communication skills in English (additional UN languages are an asset)
• Respectful, humble, and team-oriented approach to collective work

Application Requirements

All application materials must be submitted in English and in PDF format. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

Required materials:

1. Completed online application form
2. One-minute video describing a project demonstrating your commitment to gender equality, peace, or security
3. Cover letter (max 1 page)
4. Resume/CV
5. Writing sample (minimum 1,500 words; policy or research-focused)
6. Two letters of reference with full contact details

Eligibility & full application guidelines: Click Here

Application Deadline

15 February 2026
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the online form.

Questions?

Contact: employment@gnwp.org

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