Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026/27 for African Women Professionals in Kenya and South Africa

The Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026/27 is now officially open for applications, offering a transformative opportunity for African women professionals working in public health to strengthen their leadership skills and influence gender equity in health systems across Africa and beyond.

Organized through a collaboration between the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Moi University School of Public Health in Kenya, and the University of Cape Town School of Public Health in South Africa, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, this prestigious year-long fellowship is designed to empower talented women leaders in public and global health.

The program responds to a critical global challenge: despite women making up the majority of the global health workforce, they remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions. Through advanced leadership training, mentorship, policy engagement, and practical learning experiences, the fellowship aims to build a stronger pipeline of women leaders capable of shaping equitable health systems and policies.

About the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship

Globally, women account for nearly 70% of health workers, over 80% of nursing professionals, and more than 90% of midwifery roles. Women also contribute substantially to unpaid healthcare and caregiving responsibilities within communities and households. Yet, despite these contributions, women occupy only about 25% of leadership roles in the health sector.

The Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship was established to address this imbalance by creating safe and empowering spaces where women professionals can learn, grow, connect, and lead.

The fellowship provides an intensive and comprehensive leadership experience that combines academic learning, mentorship, peer engagement, and practical leadership development tailored specifically for African women in public and global health.

Fellowship Objectives

The fellowship seeks to:

1. Strengthen leadership capacity among African women in public health
2. Promote gender-transformative leadership approaches
3. Advance equitable public health policies and practices
4. Build mentorship and networking opportunities for women leaders
5. Equip fellows with skills in policy engagement, advocacy, and knowledge translation
6. Foster collaboration among public health professionals across Africa

What Fellows Will Learn

Participants selected for the 2026/27 cohort will engage in a rich curriculum covering multiple areas of leadership and public health development.

The fellowship curriculum includes:

• Global health policy
• Leadership development
• Gender equity in health systems
• Knowledge translation
• Mentorship and coaching skills
• Public health advocacy
• Communication and strategic influence
• Reflective leadership practices

Learning activities are delivered through:

• Interactive lectures
• Case studies
• Workshops
• Role plays
• Discussion forums
• Reflective exercises
• Mentorship support

Fellows will also benefit from guidance and mentorship provided by experienced experts and leaders in public and global health.

In-Person Leadership Academy in Kenya

An important component of the fellowship is the one-week in-person leadership academy scheduled to take place in Kenya in early 2027.

Selected fellows must be available to travel and participate in this immersive leadership experience, which will provide opportunities for:

• Networking with fellow leaders
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Leadership coaching
• Policy discussions
• Cross-country learning experiences

Applicants are therefore expected to possess or be able to obtain a valid passport for travel.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026/27, applicants must meet all the following eligibility requirements:

• Identify as a woman
• Be an African national
• Reside and work in Kenya or South Africa
• Have 5–15 years of experience in public health or global health-related work
• Possess postgraduate education in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Sciences, or related fields
• Work in public health policy, practice, research, or teaching
• Demonstrate leadership potential or experience
• Be fluent in English
• Be able to attend the in-person leadership academy in Kenya

Fellowship Benefits

Successful fellows will gain access to numerous personal and professional development opportunities, including:

1. Advanced Leadership Training

Participants receive specialized training designed to strengthen their leadership abilities in public and global health settings.

2. Expert Mentorship

Fellows are paired with experienced mentors who provide professional guidance, career support, and leadership coaching.

3. International Networking Opportunities

Participants join a growing network of African women leaders and global health professionals.

4. Practical Policy and Advocacy Skills

The fellowship equips participants with tools to influence health policies and advocate for gender equity in healthcare systems.

5. Career Growth and Visibility

The program helps elevate participants’ professional profiles and leadership opportunities within the public health sector.

6. Collaborative Learning Environment

Fellows engage with peers facing similar public health challenges, fostering collaboration and long-term partnerships.

Application Process

The application process consists of two stages:

Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

Interested applicants must first complete the online Expression of Interest form. The process takes approximately 15–20 minutes.

Applicants whose EOIs meet or exceed the selection criteria will move to the next stage.

EOI Deadline: May 22, 2026

Step 2: Full Application (Invitation Only)

Shortlisted candidates will receive invitations to submit a full application.

The final 18 fellows selected for the 2026/27 cohort will emerge from this stage.

The deadline for full applications is expected to be around late June or early July 2026.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship is more than a training program. It is a movement dedicated to transforming leadership structures in global health by empowering African women professionals to step into positions of influence and impact.

As health systems across Africa continue to evolve and confront complex challenges, women leaders remain essential in driving inclusive, equitable, and sustainable solutions.

This fellowship creates a unique opportunity for talented women professionals to gain the confidence, networks, mentorship, and strategic skills needed to shape the future of public health leadership across the continent.

APPLY HERE

Interested applicants should complete the Expression of Interest application through the official fellowship platform and review the EOI instruction materials before submission.

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026

For more information about this opportunity, visit here.

Discover more Global Fellowship Opportunities on OFY here.