Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices Global Partnership
✨ AI Summary
Fully funded 10-month leadership fellowship for 50 Indian women leaders in the social sector, starting February 2027. Applicants should already be leading social enterprises or senior roles in nonprofit organisations aligned with one of four thematic areas.
The WomenLeaders India Fellowship 2026–27 is a leadership development programme powered by Reliance Foundation in partnership with Vital Voices Global Partnership. It is designed to empower 50 Indian women leaders working in the social sector and social entrepreneurship. The programme runs for 10 months starting February 2027 and combines virtual and in-person learning, with an initial in-person convening in Mumbai. Participants receive leadership development workshops, mentoring, peer-to-peer learning, and professional exposure to strengthen their social-impact initiatives and address challenges in women's empowerment, children's well-being, youth development, and rural livelihoods. What you get • Fully funded programme with no fee charged to participants • Leadership development workshops and training • One-on-one mentoring from experienced professionals • Peer-to-peer learning with 49 other Indian women leaders • Professional exposure and networking opportunities • Support to strengthen and scale social-impact projects • Access to practical knowledge and skills for organisational effectiveness • Initial in-person convening in Mumbai for network building How to apply 1. Review the official fellowship announcement to confirm detailed eligibility requirements for your chosen track 2. Prepare your application materials 3. Submit application by 11 November 2026 at 11:59 PM IST 4. Contact WomenLeadersIndia@vitalvoices.org for further enquiries
• Indian national or based in India • Two professional tracks available: Social Entrepreneurs Track OR Social Sector Leaders Track • Social Entrepreneurs: must be founder, co-founder, or key decision-maker in a social enterprise • Social Entrepreneurs: enterprise must be based in India • Social Entrepreneurs: enterprise must employ at least 3 full-time staff or equivalent • Social Entrepreneurs: enterprise must have operated for at least 5 years • Social Sector Leaders: must hold senior executive position (CEO, president, executive director, vice-president, or equivalent) • Social Sector Leaders: must work in nonprofit, civil society, development-sector, philanthropic, or qualifying for-profit organisation • Applicant must have significant decision-making authority and demonstrated leadership experience • Work or initiative must align with one or more of four thematic areas: women's empowerment, children's well-being, youth development, or agriculture/rural livelihoods • Monthly time commitment of approximately 6–8 hours • Work must demonstrate social impact and commitment to innovative solutions