Applications are officially open for the WomenLeaders India Fellowship 2026–27, a premier leadership development initiative powered by Reliance Foundation in technical partnership with Vital Voices Global Partnership. Designed to drive systemic social change, advance gender equality, and accelerate progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this 10-month fellowship will select and support 50 exceptional Indian women leaders.
Programme targets social entrepreneurs and executive leaders in the social sector who are actively addressing urgent economic, environmental, and social challenges across India. By offering high-impact leadership workshops, executive mentorship, peer learning, and global exposure, the fellowship empowers participants to scale their organizations and increase community impact. The fellowship is fully funded with no program fees. The deadline to apply is 11 November 2026 at 11:59 PM IST.
WomenLeaders India Fellowship 2026–27: Overview
| Fellowship Points | Programme Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | WomenLeaders India Fellowship 2026–27 |
| Implementing Organization | Reliance Foundation |
| Technical Partner | Vital Voices Global Partnership |
| Target Participants | Indian women leaders in the social sector and social entrepreneurs |
| Total Cohort Size | 50 Fellows |
| Program Duration | 10 Months (Commencing February 2027) |
| Financial Support | Fully Funded (No program or tuition fees) |
| Learning Format | Hybrid (Virtual modules + In-person convenings in India) |
| Opening Convening Location | Mumbai, India |
| Monthly Time Commitment | 6 to 8 hours per month |
| Online Info Session | 4 November 2026 at 6:00 PM IST |
| Application Deadline | 11 November 2026 at 11:59 PM IST |
| Notification of Selection | Second week of December 2026 |
| Official Contact Email | WomenLeadersIndia@vitalvoices.org |
Background, Context & Program Objectives
Women at the forefront of social enterprises and non-profit organizations in India handle complex operational responsibilities, resource management, and strategic scaling while working to improve marginalized communities. To provide structural support to these leaders, Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices Global Partnership launched the WomenLeaders India Fellowship in 2022. Having supported 100 leaders across two successful cohorts, the third edition expands its investment in women driving grassroots and national-level interventions.
The fellowship acts as a capacity-building catalyst rather than a theoretical academic course. Participants are required to bring an active, ongoing social-impact project or initiative into the program, utilizing the curriculum to directly refine operational strategies, expand partnership networks, and introduce innovative execution models.
Core Objectives of the 2026–27 Fellowship
- Strengthening Executive Leadership: Develop strategic decision-making, organizational governance, team management, and public communication skills.
- Advancing the UN SDGs: Align local grassroots interventions with global targets for poverty alleviation, quality education, gender equality, and climate resilience.
- Enhancing Operational & Enterprise Sustainability: Help social sector organizations build resilient business models, adopt technology solutions, and improve resource mobilization.
- Facilitating Cross-Sector Collaboration: Connect social entrepreneurs and executive leaders across different domains to foster knowledge exchange, problem-solving, and joint initiatives.
The Four Priority Thematic Areas
Applicants must demonstrate that their initiative or social enterprise directly aligns with at least one of the four priority thematic areas established for the 2026–27 cohort:
| Thematic Priority | Key Focus Areas & Interventions |
|---|---|
| 1. Women’s Empowerment & Economic Agency | • Financial inclusion, livelihoods, and economic mobility for women. • Digital literacy and access to technology for women and girls. • Programs enhancing decision-making power and leadership representation. • Social enterprises focused on female workforce participation. |
| 2. Children’s Well-Being & Foundational Learning | • Early childhood care, development, and foundational literacy. • Child nutrition, healthcare, and protection frameworks. • Community-led interventions improving educational outcomes for underserved children. |
| 3. Youth Development, Education & Future Skills | • Vocational education, technical skill-building, and workplace readiness. • Youth entrepreneurship and income-generation opportunities. • Education models bridging the gap between formal schooling and industry needs. |
| 4. Agriculture, Rural Livelihoods & Climate Resilience | • Climate-smart agricultural practices and sustainable natural resource management. • Rural supply chain enhancement and market access for smallholder farmers. • Community-level disaster preparedness and eco-friendly livelihood models. |
Professional Development Tracks
To ensure tailored leadership development, the fellowship operates across two dedicated tracks tailored to different organizational roles.
| Eligibility Parameter | Social Entrepreneurs Track | Social Sector Leaders Track |
|---|---|---|
| Target Role | Founders, Co-Founders, and primary decision-makers of social enterprises. | CEOs, Executive Directors, Presidents, and Senior Program Leads. |
| Eligible Entity Type | For-profit or non-profit social enterprises operating in India. | Registered Non-Profits, Trusts, Foundations, or Section 8 Companies. |
| Operational Track Record | Enterprise must be operational for at least 5 years at the time of application. | Organization must have at least 5 years of operational experience in thematic areas. |
| Staffing Requirement | Must employ at least 3 full-time staff members (or part-time equivalent). | Applicant must manage key teams and hold direct institutional decision-making power. |
| Individual Experience | Demonstrated leadership in building and scaling an impact-driven enterprise. | Minimum 5 years of personal experience leading development projects. |
General Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for either track must meet all general eligibility standards:
- Gender Identity: Applicants must identify as women.
- Nationality & Residence: Must be Indian citizens currently living and working in India.
- Professional Experience: A minimum of 5 years of verifiable experience in relevant social-impact domains.
- Active Initiative: Must possess an active, SDG-aligned project or initiative that can be refined and developed during the program.
- Language Capability: Minimum intermediate proficiency in spoken and written English to engage in workshops and cohort discussions.
- Time Dedication: Ability to commit 6 to 8 hours per month for virtual modules, peer sessions, and mandatory in-person convenings.
- Post-Fellowship Progress Tracking: Willingness to participate in impact evaluation tracking with Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices for up to 24 months after completion.
Comprehensive Program Benefits
- Zero Financial Cost: The fellowship is fully funded with no tuition or administration fees required from participants.
- Masterclasses & Executive Workshops: Access to customized modules covering leadership strategies, strategic communications, financial planning, and organizational scaling.
- 1-on-1 Executive Mentorship: Personalized guidance from established industry leaders, global experts, and development specialists.
- Global Network Integration: Integration into the Vital Voices Global Network via the VV Community Hub, connecting fellows with thousands of women leaders worldwide.
- Increased Visibility: Opportunities to showcase social projects through Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices platforms, building institutional credibility.
- Peer Community & Collaboration: Long-term peer connections with 49 other high-achieving Indian women leaders across sectors.
Program Structure & Implementation Timeline
The 10-month program uses a hybrid format designed to accommodate the schedules of active executives and entrepreneurs.
| Program Phase | Duration / Dates | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation & Kickoff | February 2027 | Opening in-person convening in Mumbai, India to set cohort goals and build team dynamics. |
| Virtual Modules & Mentorship | March – September 2027 | Monthly online workshops, peer group exchanges, 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, and project execution (6–8 hrs/month). |
| Mid-Term Syntheses | June 2027 | Virtual progress tracking and peer evaluation of ongoing SDG project development. |
| Concluding Convening | November 2027 | Final in-person gathering in India for project presentations, graduation, and global network integration. |
Important Dates & Application Process
Prospective applicants should follow the schedule below to complete their applications prior to the deadline:
- Online Information Session: 4 November 2026 at 6:00 PM IST (Registration via Vital Voices)
- Final Application Deadline: 11 November 2026 at 11:59 PM IST
- Notification to Selected Candidates: Second week of December 2026
- Notification to All Applicants: End of December 2026
- Program Commencement: February 2027
How to Apply
- Verify Track Eligibility: Review the criteria for the Social Entrepreneurs or Social Sector Leaders track.
- Prepare Project Proposal: Outline the social problem, target demographic, operational history, and SDG alignment of your active initiative.
- Compile Application Dossier: Prepare an updated CV, organizational details, decision-making credentials, and letters of alignment.
- Online Submission: Submit all application details through the official Reliance Foundation portal before 11 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there any fee to apply or participate in the fellowship?
No. The WomenLeaders India Fellowship is fully funded by Reliance Foundation. There are no registration, tuition, or program fees for selected participants.
2. Can early-career professionals or students apply?
No. The program is designed specifically for established leaders with at least 5 years of experience who hold major decision-making authority in an organization or social enterprise.
3. Is the fellowship open to Indian women living abroad?
No. Applicants must be Indian nationals who are currently residing and working within India.
4. What if I do not have a pre-existing social project?
Applicants must have an active project or social enterprise to qualify. The program curriculum is designed around refining and scaling active initiatives in real time.
5. Are candidates required to travel to Berlin or international locations?
No. The in-person convenings for the WomenLeaders India Fellowship take place within India (starting with Mumbai). Virtual learning components can be completed remotely.
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