I AM NALA Fellowship – Call for 2027

Overview

The I AM NALA Fellowship is run by Nalafem for young African women who are refugees, internally displaced persons or stateless. The call for 2027 covers the period from January 2027 to July 2027. The fellowship focuses on capacity and technical support, mentorship, solidarity, access and resourcing for fellows who are aspiring or current political leaders. These are women who can play a critical role in negotiations, decision-making, democratic transitions, reconciliation and other peacebuilding efforts in their countries of origin or host countries.

The fellowship includes bi-monthly online sessions with trainings and masterclasses, which offer dialogue with, and learning alongside, mentors who are experts and senior leaders with wide experience across institutions and organizations. It may also include in-person engagements.

Who can apply

The fellowship is open to young women aged 18 to 40 who fit one of several profiles. These include leaders of a campaign or women's group, members of an existing consortium or collective focused on alliance building, young women engaged in cross-conflict negotiations, and young women politicians in political office.

Requirements

Nalafem looks for political leaders working on one or more of the demands in the Africa Young Women Beijing +25 Manifesto who embrace its values: solidarity, social justice, dignity, equity and decolonial feminist Pan-Africanism.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online. Only shortlisted candidates are notified.

Key dates

Applications close on October 31, 2026. Shortlisted candidates are notified by November 6, 2026. The fellowship runs from January 2027 to July 2027.