The Nivishe Mental Health Fellowship Cohort 7 is a 12-week virtual fellowship designed for emerging and established changemakers who want to deepen their understanding of mental health and contribute to improving mental wellbeing across African communities. The fellowship brings together mental health experts, practitioners, researchers, and leaders to explore mental health from both African and global perspectives. Participants will examine topics including community mental health, lived experience, neuropsychology, and the ways in which the brain, mind, environment, and society influence wellbeing. Applications for Cohort 7 open on 9 September 2026 and close on 18 September 2026. Fellowship Overview The Nivishe Mental Health Fellowship is designed to move participants beyond basic mental health awareness toward practical leadership and community action. Throughout the 12-week programme, fellows will participate in expert-led virtual sessions, collaborative activities, peer learning, and networking opportunities. The programme is grounded in African realities and encourages participants to examine mental health challenges through diverse cultural, professional, and lived-experience perspectives. A central component of the fellowship is the Community Impact Capstone Project, through which fellows transform their learning into a practical initiative that addresses a mental health challenge within their community. Previous fellows have implemented community dialogues, radio programmes, awareness campaigns, school interventions, and community outreach activities. Fellowship Schedule The fellowship will run for 12 weeks, with virtual sessions taking place every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM EAT. Selected fellows should also expect to dedicate approximately six hours per month to assignments, collaborative activities, group discussions, and other fellowship requirements. Who Should Apply? The fellowship welcomes passionate individuals who are committed to reducing mental health disparities and promoting wellbeing within their communities. Applicants should: Be 18 years or older. Ideally be between 18 and 35 years old, although applicants above 35 with strong records of community leadership, advocacy, or social impact are encouraged to apply. Have an interest in or experience in mental health, community development, advocacy, education, healthcare, research, humanitarian work, or related areas. Hold or aspire to leadership positions and demonstrate the ability to influence positive change. Value diversity, inclusion, different perspectives, and lived experiences. Have access to a computer and reliable internet connection. Be able to participate actively in virtual fellowship activities. Be prepared to design and implement a Community Impact Capstone Project benefiting their community. Selection Criteria Applications will be assessed based on several factors, including leadership potential, commitment to mental health advancement, availability, lived experience, diversity, and the quality of the proposed capstone project. Particular consideration will be given to applicants who demonstrate initiative, community impact, a clear commitment to mental health and wellbeing, and the potential to create positive change beyond the fellowship. The proposed Community Impact Capstone Project should be realistic, relevant, and capable of reaching and positively influencing at least 200 community members. Community Impact Capstone Project The capstone project allows fellows to apply knowledge gained during the programme to a real-world mental health challenge. Applicants may propose initiatives such as: Mental health awareness campaigns. Community dialogues. Radio programmes. School-based interventions. Digital campaigns. Support groups. Workplace mental health initiatives. Research dissemination. Mental health advocacy activities. Other innovative community-based approaches. Project ideas may evolve during the fellowship as participants gain additional knowledge, mentorship, and perspectives from fellow participants and experts. Expectations for Selected Fellows Selected fellows will be expected to attend weekly virtual sessions throughout the 12-week programme and actively participate in assignments, collaborative activities, discussions, and peer-learning opportunities. Participants must be proficient in English, as the fellowship will be conducted in English. Fellows will also be expected to design and implement their Community Impact Capstone Project and contribute to the wider Nivishe Fellowship Network after completing the programme. Why Join the Nivishe Fellowship? The fellowship provides an opportunity for emerging and established changemakers to strengthen their understanding of mental health while developing practical leadership and community engagement skills. Participants will gain exposure to African and international perspectives on mental health, connect with professionals and other changemakers, and develop approaches for addressing mental health challenges within their communities. The programme is particularly valuable for individuals who want to combine mental health advocacy with leadership, community development, education, healthcare, research, humanitarian work, or social impact. How to Strengthen the Application Applicants should clearly explain why mental health matters to them and demonstrate how the fellowship aligns with their personal, professional, or community leadership goals. Strong applications should provide specific examples of leadership, community involvement, advocacy, or other activities that demonstrate a commitment to community wellbeing. Formal mental health experience is not mandatory, so applicants should highlight transferable leadership and social impact experience where relevant. The capstone proposal should identify a clearly defined community challenge, explain the proposed intervention, identify the target community, and demonstrate how the initiative could reach at least 200 people. Applicants should also provide a realistic plan for sharing knowledge and networks gained through the fellowship with others after the programme. Application Deadline Applications for Nivishe Mental Health Fellowship Cohort 7 open on 9 September 2026 and close on 18 September 2026. The fellowship is conducted virtually every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM EAT over a 12-week period. How to Apply Interested applicants should complete the official Nivishe Mental Health Fellowship Cohort 7 application form before the deadline. The application requires information about the applicant’s background, leadership experience, motivation, understanding of community mental health challenges, and proposed Community Impact Capstone Project. Applicants should ensure that all responses accurately reflect their experience, motivation, community context, and plans for creating impact. VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.