As we celebrate International Women’s Month, we honour the strength, leadership, and impact of women worldwide. This is also a moment to seize new possibilities. Here are 15 global opportunities for women with deadlines fast approaching as of March 11, 2026, offering funding, leadership, learning, and growth for changemakers everywhere.
1. Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship to Attend One Young World Summit 2026 (Fully-funded to Cape Town, SA)
Now in its second year, the Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship was created to empower young leaders who are committed to addressing the urgent and deeply interconnected challenges facing women and girls today. The scholarship equips emerging changemakers with the tools, knowledge, and global platform they need to lead transformative action. By supporting passionate young leaders who are tackling issues like child marriage, gender-based violence, and mental health disparities, the Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship aims to foster a new generation of empathetic, courageous, and visionary leaders working toward a more just, inclusive, and equitable world for all.
Click here to apply | Deadline : Mar. 27
2. MILEAD Fellows Program for Young African Women Leaders 2026
For over a decade, MILEAD Fellows have been catalysts for transformative change, breaking barriers, implementing life-changing initiatives, and challenging systems that discriminate against women and girls. Their program is crafted to identify, nurture, and elevate the next generation of African female leaders, equipping them with the skills and support needed to thrive in leadership roles across Africa.
Click here to apply | Deadline: March 20, 2026
3. UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education 2026 (up to $50,000)
The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education honours outstanding and innovative contributions made by individuals, institutions, and organizations to advance girls’ and women’s education. It is the first UNESCO Prize of this nature and is unique in showcasing successful projects that improve and promote the educational prospects of girls and women and in turn, the quality of their lives.
Click here to apply | Deadline: May 12
4. AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship 2026 for the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture
The Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship is a career development initiative that seeks to strengthen the capability, confidence, and influence of African women scientists to lead and participate in climate-resilient agricultural research. The Fellowship combines leadership development, mentoring partnerships, and technical excellence to enhance the Fellows’ capabilities and position them as influential actors in agrifood systems.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Apr. 26
5. Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator 2026 (up to $10,000)
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC, in partnership with Village Capital is excited to announce the call for applications for the 6th Cohort of the Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator. An annual philanthropic programme for young, women entrepreneurs led by the Standard Chartered Foundation and implemented in Ghana by Ashesi University’s Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, empowers women-led and women-owned businesses with the tools, training, and funding needed to leverage technology and build scalable, innovative businesses that address Ghana’s pressing economic and environmental challenges for sustainable growth and social impact.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 27
6. Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit 2026 (Funded)
Founded in 2017, this annual summit brings together a cohort of 36+ young women aged between 25-35 representing each of the countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as Nepal, for a 5-month leadership development and professional networking program culminating in a week-long gathering in person to deepen learning and connections.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Apr. 19
7. Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award 2026 (€25,000 cash prize)
The Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award is a 6-month accelerator for women founders building proven solutions in health and food security. They are selecting 15 ventures across Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East to strengthen fundamentals and build investor readiness.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Apr 13
8. Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science 2026 ($50,000 prize)
The Inspiring Women in Science awards celebrate and support the achievements of women in science, and all those who work to encourage girls and young women to engage with STEM subjects and stay in STEM careers around the world. They invite applications in two award categories — Science Outreach and Scientific Achievement.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Apr. 8
9. VV Visionaries Program 2026 for Women Leaders
The program is a partnership between Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund, the charitable fund of Estée Lauder, to support the next generation of emerging leaders who are redefining leadership in their everyday lives. Together with the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund, they aim to champion women leaders across diverse sectors, industries, and experiences who want to create positive social impact in their communities and beyond.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 13
10. KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition 2026
The KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition is delighted to invite applications from dynamic female entrepreneurs across the continent. In a world marked by ever-evolving global dynamics, they are seeking resilient and ambitious ventures – owned and led by women – across a diverse array of sectors, including technology, health, agriculture, and beyond.
Click here to apply | Deadline : Ongoing
11. NATO STO Women and Girls in Science Challenge 2026
The Women & Girls in Science Challenge invites young women and girls to submit visionary research proposals addressing pressing challenges in the field of defence research. Launched every year on 11 February, in celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the WGS is a NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) diversity of thought initiative.
Click here to apply | Deadline : Mar. 11
12. UNIDIR Women in AI Fellowship 2026
To redress gender inequalities and promote inclusive and effective policymaking, UNIDIR is convening the 2026 edition of the Women in AI Fellowship. This is designed as a capacity-building intervention that endows women diplomats with up-to-the-minute knowledge of the policy, legal and technical aspects of AI. Women in AI Fellows acquire the knowhow, skills, resources and networks required to engage effectively in multilateral AI discussion in the field of international peace and security.
Click here to apply | Deadline : Feb. 24
13. Open Doors Fellowship Program 2026 for Women Researchers in Africa
The Open Doors Fellowship Program for women researchers in Africa is a holistic program that targets women researchers in Africa to help them acquire the necessary hard and soft skills to strengthen their placements within their hosting institutions and, ultimately, avoid dropping out before their consolidation stage.
Click here to apply | Deadline : Ongoing
14. Fidelity Bank HerFidelity Apprenticeship Program 2026
The HerFidelity Apprenticeship Program is designed to support young female apprentices by providing structured training, mentorship, and financial inclusion opportunities that prepare them for long-term independence.
Click here to apply | Deadline : Unspecified
15. SMEDAN GROWHer Accelerator Programme 2026
SMEDAN presents the GROWHer Accelerator Programme, a transformative initiative for bold, ambitious women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Designed to help women-led businesses scale, access new markets, and secure funding, GROWHer equips participants with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities needed for lasting success.
Click here to apply | Deadline : Apr. 4
For more information, visit OD Blog
