The Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship is a prestigious year-long programme designed to strengthen the leadership capacity of talented African women working in public and global health. The fellowship aims to advance gender equity in health systems by equipping women professionals with the leadership skills, policy expertise, mentorship abilities, and strategic knowledge required to influence health outcomes at local, regional, and global levels. Hosted through a collaboration between the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, Moi University School of Public Health, and University of Cape Town School of Public Health, the programme is delivered in partnership with Mastercard Foundation. The 2026/27 cohort application process is now officially open. Advancing Women’s Leadership in Global Health Women continue to play a critical role in health systems across the world. They make up the majority of healthcare workers globally, including nursing and midwifery professionals, while also carrying significant unpaid care responsibilities within families and communities. Despite these contributions, women remain underrepresented in senior leadership positions within the global health sector. The fellowship addresses this leadership gap by creating a supportive and transformative environment where women can: Strengthen leadership confidence and decision-making skills Build networks with like-minded professionals across Africa Gain exposure to global health policy and systems thinking Learn from experienced mentors and sector leaders Advance gender-responsive approaches to public health leadership The programme recognises that women leaders already exist across the continent, but often lack access to mentorship opportunities, leadership training, and supportive professional spaces that allow them to thrive and influence change effectively. Fellowship Curriculum and Learning Experience The fellowship delivers an intensive and interactive curriculum designed to prepare participants for leadership roles in public and global health systems. Key learning areas include: Global health leadership Public health policy and governance Gender equity and transformative leadership Knowledge translation and research communication Strategic mentorship and coaching Advocacy and systems change Participants engage through: Expert-led lectures Case studies and simulations Interactive workshops Role plays and discussion forums Reflective learning exercises Peer collaboration and mentorship support The programme combines academic learning with practical leadership development, ensuring fellows can apply their skills directly within their organisations and communities. Eligibility Criteria Applicants interested in joining the 2026/27 fellowship cohort must meet the following requirements: Identify as a woman Be an African national Reside and work in Kenya or South Africa Have 5–15 years of professional experience in public health, including local, regional, or global health work Possess postgraduate qualifications in: Public Health Health Policy Health Sciences Or a related field Eligible qualifications include: Postgraduate diplomas or certificates Master’s degrees PhDs Applicants must also: Work in public health policy, teaching, research, or practice Demonstrate leadership qualities through work, education, or community service Be fluent in English Be available to attend a one-week in-person leadership academy in Kenya in early 2027 Be able to obtain a valid passport for travel purposes Application Process The fellowship application process consists of two stages. Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) Interested candidates are required to complete an online Expression of Interest form. The process takes approximately 15–20 minutes and is designed to assess eligibility and leadership potential. The deadline for EOI submissions is: 22 May 2026 Step 2: Full Application Candidates who successfully meet or exceed the eligibility and selection criteria during the EOI stage will be invited to submit a full application. From this pool, 18 fellows will be selected for the 2026/27 cohort. The expected timeline for full applications is: End of June or early July 2026 Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all application instructions before submission. Programme Impact and Vision The Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship is committed to building a stronger and more inclusive pipeline of women leaders across Africa’s health sector. Through mentorship, strategic leadership development, and peer learning, the programme seeks to strengthen women’s influence in shaping equitable health systems and policies. The fellowship also contributes to broader global conversations around: Gender equality in leadership Inclusive health governance Women’s participation in decision-making Sustainable public health transformation By investing in emerging women leaders, the programme is helping create future decision-makers who can influence policies, improve healthcare systems, and champion gender equity across Africa and beyond. Contact Information For additional information regarding the fellowship programme, applicants may contact: womenGH.dlsph@utoronto.ca More information can also be accessed through the official Dalla Lana School of Public Health website. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.