Deadline: May 22, 2026
Applications are open for the Vital Voices Engage Fellowship 2026. Supported by Freeport-McMoRan, this 10-month fellowship is designed to strengthen the capacity, decision-making power, and effectiveness of women leaders in public life. The program fosters bipartisan collaboration, challenges and shifts cultural perceptions of women’s public leadership and advances progress toward equality in public representation globally.
Through this fellowship, they aim to work towards a more inclusive and equitable world by advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a particular focus on SDG 5: Gender Equality. The curriculum will include leadership, strategic communications, political strategy, and governance in partnership with the Council of World Women Leaders (CWWL) and professors of the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS).
Upon graduation, fellows will have access to a global network of changemakers engaged in crucial work in government and civil society across the globe.
Fellowship Overview
The program runs for 10 months (June 2026 through March 2027), with bi-weekly meetings and unfolds in the following phases:
- Phase 1: Virtual Leadership Skills – At the start of the program, fellows will participate in sessions centered on the Vital Voices Leadership Journey’s five core leadership practices. They will engage in small-group discussions and learn from guest speakers across the Vital Voices network.
- Phase 2: Virtual Practical Skills – The program then transitions into a hands-on learning experience, where fellows gain practical knowledge of legislative processes, stakeholder engagement, and effective advocacy strategies to drive policy change. Through sessions on political strategy, governance and strategic communications, fellows refine their leadership approaches to meet the demands of public leadership. They also strengthen their ability to influence policy and public systems while developing compelling narratives to advance their work.
- Phase 3: In Person Convening – The program culminates in an immersive, multi-day in-person convening designed to deepen fellows’ capacity, decision-making power, and effectiveness as women leaders in public life while fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose. Centered on peer-to-peer learning, the convening provides opportunities for fellows to learn from one another’s lived experiences, leadership journeys, and policy work through facilitated discussions, group sessions, and informal dialogues. The experience includes peer-led discussions, reflections on impact, strategic partnership development, and tailored leadership and policy workshops, complemented by mentorship touchpoints and office hours. This intentionally designed environment fosters trust, open communication, and a strong sense of community, enabling fellows from diverse regions and governance contexts to exchange ideas, apply insights in real time, and identify opportunities for cross-country and cross-sector impact.
Benefits
Through participation in the program, participants will:
- Strengthen their leadership capacity through the Vital Voices Leadership Journey (VVLJ), enabling them to lead with purpose and inclusively.
- Build comprehensive public leadership skills by enhancing decision-making, governance, strategic communication, and political strategy to effectively influence policy, mobilize stakeholders, and advance equity and SDG-aligned systemic change.
- Join the VV Engage alumni community of over 190 alumni worldwide, with access to ongoing virtual programing and continued engagement opportunities.
- Become part of the Vital Voices global network of over 49,000 women leaders, with full access to the Network Hub and continuous learning education and engagement opportunities.
- Receive a certificate of completion upon successfully completing the program. .
Eligibility
- Applicant must have at least three years of experience holding a leadership or decision-making role in public office, government, civic institutions, political movements, or public policy spaces.
- Be 18 years old by June 2026
- Must be one of the following:
- An elected/appointed official
- A political party leader
- An appointed official
- A political activist
- A community leader
- A media professional
- A civil society leader
- Must demonstrate a commitment to the core principles of the “Vital Voices Leadership Model” – Innovative, collaborative, and driven by a clear sense of mission; engaged in her community; committed to working with different political ideologies; committed to advancing the status of women and girls; committed to transparency and good governance
- Must demonstrate a commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Application
Accepted fellows must commit to full participation in the entire program from June 2026 to March 2027 and are expected to be prepared and engaged with staff, trainers and fellows before, during and after the program. The VV Engage Fellowship is highly selective. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a 30-minute virtual interview. Final decisions will be communicated following the selection process.
For more information, visit Vital Voices Engage Fellowship.
