DAWN Rising Fellowship 2026 – Apply Now

Application deadline: 1 March, 2026

The DAWN Rising Fellowship 2026 is a highly competitive and prestigious program designed to identify and support young women feminists from the Global South who are actively working to advance feminist ideas, promote gender equality, and take impactful action in their communities. The fellowship specifically focuses on individuals who are critically engaging with issues related to gender-based violence and conflict, recognizing that these are pressing challenges that require innovative feminist responses and leadership.

This fellowship is offered by Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN), an international feminist network with a long-standing history of advocating for women’s rights, social justice, and gender equality across different regions of the world. DAWN provides a platform for feminist activists, researchers, and advocates to collaborate, share knowledge, and amplify their voices on critical issues affecting women and marginalized groups, especially in conflict-affected areas of the Global South.

Purpose and Theme of the DAWN Rising Fellowship

The core purpose of the DAWN Rising Fellowship is to encourage and support innovative project work that critically examines The Political Economy of Gender-Based Violence and Conflict. This theme recognizes that gender-based violence and conflict are deeply intertwined with broader economic, political, and social structures, and that understanding these connections is vital to fostering meaningful change.

The fellowship aims to achieve several key objectives:

• To deepen understanding of how gender-based violence and conflict influence gender dynamics, power relations, and social structures within societies, especially in conflict zones.
• To elevate feminist perspectives and voices in local, regional, and international dialogues, policy discussions, and decision-making forums, ensuring that feminist insights inform responses to violence and conflict.
• To strengthen feminist research methodologies, advocacy strategies, mobilization efforts, resistance movements, and creative expressions from women and feminist groups in the Global South, enabling them to have a greater impact and reach.

By focusing on these areas, the fellowship seeks to foster a new generation of feminist leaders who are capable of critically analyzing and challenging the systemic roots of violence and conflict, and who can contribute to building more equitable and peaceful societies.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the DAWN Rising Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Identify as a woman feminist: The fellowship is specifically aimed at women who identify as feminists, actively committed to feminist principles, and engaged in feminist work.
• Age under 40: Candidates must be under 40 years of age at the time of application, emphasizing the program’s focus on supporting emerging young leaders.
• From the Global South: Applicants must originate from countries classified as part of the Global South, which generally includes regions in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, and parts of the Middle East.
• Demonstrate a commitment to feminist principles and methodologies: Applicants must show a clear dedication to feminist values, including gender equality, social justice, and intersectionality, and employ feminist research and advocacy approaches.
• Propose an individual project: The fellowship is designed to support individual initiatives. Organizations, collectives, or groups are not eligible to apply, although collaboration with others can be part of the project.
• Focus on conflict-affected contexts in specific countries: The project must be situated within or directly related to conflict-affected settings in one of the following countries:

• Sudan
• Palestine
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Applicants should demonstrate the relevance and urgency of their project to the conflict context and how it aligns with the fellowship’s theme.

Click here to apply

Key Dates (2026 Cycle)

The timeline for the fellowship application cycle is as follows:

• The call for applications officially opens on 19 January 2026.
• The deadline for submitting applications is 1 March 2026.
• Selection notifications informing applicants of their status will be sent out by 30 April 2026.
• The fellowship will commence at some point between 1 May and 30 June 2026, depending on the selected fellows’ schedules and project timelines.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their materials well in advance and ensure they meet all deadlines for a smooth application process.

What the Fellowship Offers

Successful applicants who are selected as fellows will receive comprehensive support to develop and implement their projects, including:

Financial Support

• A stipend of USD 1,200 per month for a period of 10 months, intended to cover costs related to research, travel, accommodation, living expenses, and project activities.
• This financial support is intended to supplement, not replace, other funding sources. Applicants must disclose any additional funding they receive to ensure transparency and accountability.

Mentorship & Networking

• Access to a vibrant network of experienced feminists, researchers, activists, and advocates working on similar issues.
• Opportunities for mentorship, peer learning, collaboration, and knowledge exchange through DAWN’s forums, online platforms, and events.

Visibility & Dissemination

• Platforms and opportunities to share the outcomes of their projects, including publishing articles, reports, or multimedia content, in various forums at local, regional, and international levels.
• Opportunities to present their work at DAWN-hosted events, conferences, and networks, increasing visibility and impact.

Application Requirements

Applicants must prepare and submit the following materials:

1. Online Application Form: Complete the digital form with accurate personal, contact, and background information.
2. Project Proposal Document: A detailed, fillable PDF outlining the project’s objectives, research methods, expected outcomes, and timeline. This document should clearly articulate how the project addresses the theme and the specific conflict context.
3. Supporting Documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV): An updated CV highlighting relevant experience and skills.
2. Statement of Motivation: A personal statement explaining why the applicant is interested in the fellowship, their feminist commitments, and how the project aligns with their goals.
3. Letter of Recommendation: One letter from a non-related referee who can attest to the applicant’s capacity, commitment, and potential.
4. Detailed Project Budget: A comprehensive budget that aligns with the fellowship funds, detailing expected expenses and any other sources of funding.

All materials must be submitted in English via the online application portal. Partial submissions or submissions via email are not accepted.

Expectations of Fellows

Once selected, fellows are expected to:

• Deliver project outputs on schedule: Complete and submit all planned deliverables, reports, and presentations within the agreed timelines.
• Participate actively in DAWN events: Present their work, share insights, and engage with other fellows and feminist networks during forums and gatherings.
• Submit midterm and final narrative reports: Provide progress and final reports detailing achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and project impacts.
• Publish outputs under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license: Share their project results openly, allowing others to access and learn from their work while respecting copyright.

For more information about the fellowship click here