The Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded 12-month programme by the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, designed specifically for early-to-mid career African women working in public health across Kenya and South Africa. Benefits include a living and family support stipend, fully funded one-week in-person training with transportation, accommodation and meals, personalised mentorship, and expert-led workshops. No IELTS score is required. The Expression of Interest deadline is 22 May 2026.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Fully Funded Leadership Fellowship |
| Organising Body | University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health |
| Mode | Hybrid (Online + One-Week In-Person Training in Kenya) |
| Duration | 12 Months (2026/2027 Cohort) |
| Location | Kenya (In-Person Training) / Remote (Programme Delivery) |
| Last Date to Apply | 22 May 2026 (Expression of Interest) |
About the Program
The University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health developed the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship in collaboration with Moi University School of Public Health in Kenya and the University of Cape Town School of Public Health in South Africa, with partnership support from the Mastercard Foundation. Together, these institutions designed an integrated 12-month curriculum addressing gender equity, global health policy, advocacy, and leadership development. Consequently, the programme targets a highly specific professional cohort — African women with five to fifteen years of public health experience — and selects 18 fellows per annual cohort through a two-stage competitive process.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Applicants must hold a postgraduate qualification in public health, health policy, health sciences, or a closely related field — including a postgraduate diploma or certificate, master’s degree, or PhD.
- Applicants must currently work in a role focused on public health policy, practice, teaching, or research.
- Applicants must demonstrate between 5 and 15 years of professional experience in local, regional, or global public health work.
Experience & Other Conditions
- Applicants must identify as a woman and be an African national.
- Applicants must reside and work in either Kenya or South Africa at the time of application.
- Applicants must demonstrate leadership qualities through professional work, education, or community service.
- Fluency in English is required; IELTS is not mandatory.
- Applicants must be able to take a leave of absence to attend the one-week in-person leadership academy in Kenya in early 2027.
- Applicants must hold or be able to obtain a valid passport for travel to Kenya.
Stipend, Salary & Benefits
The Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026 delivers comprehensive financial and professional development support across all three programme phases.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Living & Family Support Stipend | Provided to cover lost wages, childcare, elder care, and participation-related expenses |
| In-Person Training | Fully funded one-week leadership academy in Kenya (early 2027) |
| Transportation | Covered for in-person training attendance |
| Accommodation | Provided during in-person training week |
| Meals | Provided during in-person training week |
| Mentorship | Personalised mentorship from experienced global health professionals |
| Leadership Project | Guided design of an individual leadership project |
| Expert Workshops | Training and workshops delivered by subject-matter experts |
Selection Process
- Stage 1 — Expression of Interest (EOI): All candidates submit an online EOI form by 22 May 2026 (approximately 15–20 minutes to complete)
- Screening of EOI submissions against eligibility and selection criteria by the fellowship committee
- Stage 2 — Full Application (Invitation Only): Candidates whose EOI meets or exceeds the criteria receive an invitation to submit a full application by end of June or early July 2026
- Final selection of 18 fellows for the 2026/2027 cohort from the full application pool
How to Apply
- Visit the official Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship webpage through the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health website.
- Complete the online Expression of Interest (EOI) form — the process takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes — and submit it before the EOI deadline of 22 May 2026.
- If your EOI meets the selection criteria, await an invitation to submit a full application, expected to arrive ahead of the full application deadline in late June or early July 2026.
- Upon receiving the invitation, complete and submit the full application with all required details before the stated full application deadline.
Important Dates & Links
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Expression of Interest (EOI) Deadline | 22 May 2026 |
| Full Application Deadline (Invitation Only) | End of June / Early July 2026 |
| In-Person Leadership Academy | Early 2027, Kenya |
Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026?
African women who identify as women, hold postgraduate public health qualifications, have 5–15 years of professional experience, and currently reside and work in Kenya or South Africa are eligible.
Is IELTS required for the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026?
No. English fluency is required, but IELTS or any formal language proficiency test is not mandatory.
How many fellows does the programme select each year?
The fellowship selects 18 fellows per annual cohort through a two-stage competitive process involving an EOI and an invitation-only full application.
What competencies does the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026 develop?
The programme builds skills in gender equity and intersectional analysis, global health policy and advocacy, leadership, and mentorship – all applied within a public health context.
When is the application deadline for the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026?
The Expression of Interest deadline is 22 May 2026, with full applications expected by late June or early July 2026 for shortlisted candidates only.