Applications are open for the Vital Voices VV Engage Fellowship 2026. This fully funded 10-month fellowship supports women public leaders who are making and influencing policy across the world.
The program focuses on women’s public leadership, gender equality in representation, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 5. In addition, fellows join a virtual leadership journey and access a global network of peers, alumni, and political leaders.
Application Deadline: 11:59pm EST on May 22, 2026
Eligible Countries: All countries
Program Duration: 10 months, from June 2026 to March 2027
Program Location: Global; fellows participate in a virtual leadership development course and gain access to a global network of peers and political leaders.
Funding/Benefits: Fully funded fellowship
Award Provider: Vital Voices
About this Program
The VV Engage Fellowship 2026 is designed for women in public leadership. It supports leaders working across public office, government, civic institutions, political movements, and public policy spaces.
Through the fellowship, participants build practical skills in leadership, strategic communications, political strategy, and governance. The program also includes learning opportunities developed in partnership with the Council of World Women Leaders and professors of the Harvard Kennedy School.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have at least three years of experience in 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
- Be one of the following: an elected or appointed official, political party leader, appointed official, political activist, community leader, media professional, or civil society leader
- Demonstrate commitment to the core principles of the Vital Voices Leadership Model
- Show that they are innovative, collaborative, and mission-driven
- Be engaged in their community
- Be committed to working with different political ideologies
- Be committed to advancing the status of women and girls
- Be committed to transparency and good governance
- Demonstrate commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals
What Fellows Receive: Fully funded fellowship with training on leadership, strategic communications, political strategy, and governance; Vital Voices Leadership Journey virtual leadership development course; access to a global network of peers and political leaders; access to the VV Engage Alumni community; continued alumni virtual programming; access to the Vital Voices global network of more than 49,000 women leaders and its Hub with continuing education and engagement opportunities.
Program Components
Key program components include:
- Training on leadership, strategic communications, political strategy, and governance
- Vital Voices Leadership Journey virtual leadership development course
- Access to a global network of peers and political leaders, including current and former heads of state, through the Council of Women World Leaders
- Access to the VV Engage Alumni community of over 190 alumni
- Continued alumni virtual programming
- Access to the Vital Voices global network of more than 49,000 women leaders and its Hub
Selected fellows are expected to commit to full participation from June 2026 to March 2027. They should also stay prepared and engaged with staff, trainers, and fellows before, during, and after the program. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to a 30-minute virtual interview.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the online application form before the deadline. Before you apply, review the eligibility requirements and program expectations carefully.
Application form: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8783140/Vital-Voices-Engage-Fellowship-2026-Application
👉 Visit the official fellowship page for details
