The 2026 University of Toronto Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship offers a big chance for African women to build skills in health leadership. This fully funded program targets talented women who care about gender equity in global health. It runs for 12 months and mixes online and in-person training.
Fellowship Overview
The University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health leads this program. It partners with Moi University School of Public Health in Kenya and the University of Cape Town School of Public Health in South Africa. The Mastercard Foundation also supports it. The fellowship takes place mainly in Kenya. It aims to help early to mid-career women grow as leaders in public health.
This hybrid program includes workshops, mentorship, and a personal leadership project. Fellows learn about gender equity, global health policy, and strong leadership. They also build skills in mentorship and advocacy. All training comes from experts in the field.
Who Can Apply
You must meet these key requirements to join the 2026 University of Toronto Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship:
- Identify as a woman.
- Have 5 to 15 years of experience in public health at local, regional, or global levels.
- Hold a postgraduate degree or diploma in public health, health policy, health sciences, or related areas.
- Work in public health policy, practice, teaching, or research.
- Show leadership through your job, studies, or community work.
- Live and work in Kenya or South Africa.
- Be an African national.
- Speak English well.
- Take time off for a one-week in-person academy in Kenya in early 2027.
- Get a valid passport for travel.
No IELTS test is needed. The program picks 18 fellows for the 2026/27 group.
What You Get
This fully funded fellowship covers many costs to let you focus on learning. Benefits include:
- Full sponsorship for the program.
- Living and family allowance to help with lost wages or care needs.
- Travel, accommodation, and meals for the one-week in-person training.
- Personalized mentorship from leaders.
- Help to design and run your own leadership project.
- Workshops on key skills like gender analysis, policy advocacy, and team leadership.
The in-person part happens in Kenya. Organizers pay for flights, hotel stays, and food during that week.
Program Phases
The 12-month fellowship has three main phases. It starts with online sessions and builds to hands-on work. You gain skills in:
- Applying gender equity to health systems.
- Shaping health policies and speaking up for change.
- Leading teams, making decisions, and fighting bias.
- Mentoring others to promote equity.
This setup helps you apply what you learn right away in your work.
Application Steps
Follow these steps to apply for the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship:
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) online. It takes 15 to 20 minutes. Use the form on the official page.
- If selected, you get invited to send a full application. Only top EOI candidates move forward.
Visit the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health page to start. The process picks the best 18 applicants.
Key Dates
- EOI deadline: May 22, 2026.
- Full applications due: Late June or early July 2026.
- In-person academy: Early 2027 in Kenya.
Act fast to meet the May 22 deadline. Check the official site for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the 2026 University of Toronto Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship?
Women from Kenya or South Africa with 5-15 years in public health, a postgraduate degree, leadership experience, and good English skills can apply. You must be an African national and able to attend a one-week in-person event in Kenya.
What benefits does the fellowship provide?
It fully funds the program, offers living allowances, covers travel and meals for the in-person week in Kenya, provides mentorship, and supports a personal leadership project.
What are the key dates for the application?
The Expression of Interest deadline is May 22, 2026, full applications are due in late June or early July 2026, and the in-person academy is in early 2027.
How do I apply for this fellowship?
Submit an online Expression of Interest form on the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health website, which takes 15-20 minutes. Top candidates will be invited to submit a full application.
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