Looking for funding, training or a fellowship designed for women? We have gathered 9 opportunities for women and girls that are open right now, including startup funding, leadership fellowships, PhD awards and free tech training. They are listed in order of deadline, so the most urgent ones come first. Click any title for full eligibility details and how to apply.
Quick List
| Opportunity | Type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| She Code Africa FuturHer AI Program | Free training | 18 Oct 2026 |
| CFJ Fellowship 2027 Africa | Paid fellowship | 20 Oct 2026 |
| UBS Female Founder Award | Startup award | 25 Oct 2026 |
| UNICEF Femtech Ventures | Startup funding | 4 Nov 2026 |
| AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Fellowship | Fellowship | 6 Nov 2026 |
| Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship 2027 | PhD award | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Echidna Global Scholars Program 2027 | Fellowship | 1 Dec 2026 |
| IAFFE Feminist Economics School 2027 | Training | 10 Dec 2026 |
| Pave Her Way Women’s Grant Programs | Grants | To be announced |
1. She Code Africa FuturHer AI Program 2026
Who it’s for: Women living in Lagos, Nigeria
What you get: Free training in software development, product design or data science, all built around AI tools
Deadline: 18 October 2026 (closing very soon)
Run by She Code Africa, one of Africa’s largest communities for women in tech, this programme helps women get started in AI and tech careers.
2. CFJ Fellowship 2027 Africa
Who it’s for: Early-career lawyers committed to the rights of women and children
What you get: A paid legal placement in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa or The Gambia, plus mentorship and training
Deadline: 20 October 2026
Fellows work with human rights organisations, legal aid clinics, universities or government legal bodies to advance gender justice.
3. UBS Female Founder Award 2026
Who it’s for: Women leading early-stage fintech or enterprise tech startups
What you get: US$10,000 for the winner, and a year-long programme with mentors and investors for finalists
Deadline: 25 October 2026
This is the sixth edition of the award from the global bank UBS, which celebrates women building high-potential tech companies.
4. UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026
Who it’s for: Startups in emerging markets building technology for women’s and girls’ health and wellbeing
What you get: Up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding, so UNICEF takes no share of your company
Deadline: 4 November 2026
This is the second call of a five-year UNICEF Venture Fund initiative focused on health, safety and sexual and reproductive health solutions.
5. AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Fellowship (Cohort 2)
Who it’s for: African women scientists working in agricultural research and agrifood development
What you get: A two-year, non-residential fellowship with leadership training, mentoring, science communication and proposal-writing support
Deadline: 6 November 2026, 23:59 EAT
The fellowship focuses on climate-smart agriculture and helps women scientists step into leadership roles. Applications are accepted in English and French.
6. Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship 2027
Who it’s for: Women doing PhD research in aerospace engineering or space sciences, from any country
What you get: US$12,000. Up to 30 fellowships are awarded worldwide each year.
Deadline: 15 November 2026
Zonta International has run this fellowship since 1938, and over 1,800 fellowships have gone to women from more than 80 countries. The 2027 award is the largest yet, up from US$10,000. Applications are submitted online through Zonta’s awards portal and need three references and your full transcripts.
Visit Zonta International for details
7. Echidna Global Scholars Program 2027
Who it’s for: Experienced education leaders from the Global South working on girls’ education and gender equality
What you get: A six-month fellowship at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., with mentorship and a global platform for your research
Deadline: 1 December 2026
8. IAFFE Feminist Economics School 2027
Who it’s for: Early-career scholars, practitioners, activists and policymakers working on gender, care work or economic justice
What you get: Free training in feminist economics in Okayama, Japan, with travel grants for selected participants
Deadline: 10 December 2026
9. Pave Her Way Women’s Grant Programs 2026
Who it’s for: Women from any background who lead community projects, build new solutions or need funding for education and career growth
What you get: Grants of up to US$90,000, plus mentorship and a global network
Deadline: Not yet announced, so apply early
Eligibility at a Glance
- Students and researchers: Amelia Earhart Fellowship (PhD), AWARD Fellowship, IAFFE School
- Entrepreneurs: UBS Female Founder Award, UNICEF Femtech Ventures, Pave Her Way
- Professionals and leaders: CFJ Fellowship, Echidna Global Scholars
- Beginners in tech: She Code Africa FuturHer AI
Tips Before You Apply
- Start with the closest deadlines. Some of these close within days.
- Check the official page every time. Requirements and dates can change, so confirm them before you submit.
- Never pay to apply. None of these opportunities charges an application fee. Be wary of anyone asking for payment.
- Reuse your materials wisely. A strong CV and personal statement can be adapted for several applications, but always tailor them to each one.
How to Apply
Click the “Read more and apply” link under each opportunity for full eligibility rules, required documents and the official application link. Bookmark this page, because we add new opportunities for women regularly.
