The University of Toronto is opening applications for its highly respected Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship for 2026 , a program created for women who want to do more than simply work within healthcare systems.
This fellowship is designed for women who want to help change those systems. Over the course of 12 months, participants will receive advanced leadership training, mentorship, policy education, and hands-on experience focused on tackling gender inequities in global health. And what makes this program especially powerful is that it recognizes something many leadership programs overlook:
Talented women are often held back not because they lack ability , but because they lack access, support, funding, or institutional opportunity.
More Than a Fellowship, It’s a Leadership Development Experience.
This is not the type of program where participants simply attend a few workshops and receive a certificate at the end.
The fellowship is built to help women grow into influential voices within:
- healthcare systems,
- research institutions,
- policy organizations,
- advocacy spaces,
- and public health leadership.
The program combines:
- virtual learning,
- mentorship,
- leadership coaching,
- collaborative projects,
- and an in-person residency experience.
The goal is to help participants leave with both:
- stronger leadership confidence,
- and practical tools for creating institutional change.
The Fellowship Is Structured to Remove Financial Barriers
One of the most refreshing things about this program is how intentionally it supports women who may otherwise struggle to participate because of work, caregiving, or financial responsibilities.Many leadership programs assume participants can simply “make time” for professional development.
This fellowship takes a more realistic approach.
It understands that many women are balancing:
- careers,
- families,
- caregiving responsibilities,
- and financial obligations all at once.
So the funding structure is designed to make participation genuinely accessible.
What Participants Receive
Expert-Led Training
Fellows gain access to workshops and learning sessions led by experts in:
- global health,
- leadership,
- public policy,
- advocacy,
- and equity-focused systems change.
These sessions are designed to help participants think critically about how healthcare systems function and how they can be improved.
Personalized Mentorship
Every participant receives one-on-one mentorship support.
That mentorship helps fellows:
- strengthen leadership skills,
- navigate professional challenges,
- identify opportunities for impact,
- and develop confidence in their ability to influence change.
For many professionals, mentorship becomes one of the most valuable parts of programs like this because it creates direct access to experienced leaders already working in the field.
Fully Funded In-Person Residency
The fellowship includes a one-week in-person residency where participants come together for intensive leadership training and collaboration.
Importantly, the program covers:
- airfare,
- accommodation,
- meals,
- and related travel costs.
That financial support matters because international training opportunities can often become inaccessible due to travel expenses alone.
Financial Support Beyond Tuition
One of the most unique aspects of this fellowship is its broader support system.
The program offers stipends designed to help participants cover:
- lost wages,
- childcare,
- eldercare,
- or other responsibilities that might otherwise prevent them from participating fully.
That level of support reflects the fellowship’s understanding that leadership opportunities are not equally accessible to everyone.
Leadership Project Development
Participants are also guided through the process of designing and implementing a real-world leadership project focused on addressing a health system challenge.
This helps fellows apply what they learn directly to practical issues within their own professional environments or communities.
What Participants Actually Learn
The fellowship focuses heavily on leadership through the lens of equity, inclusion, and systems change.
Participants build skills in areas like:
Gender Equity & Intersectional Analysis
Understanding how factors like:
- gender,
- race,
- class,
- social identity,
- and structural inequality
intersect to shape healthcare experiences and outcomes.
This is especially important in global health, where policies often affect communities differently depending on social and economic conditions.
Health Policy & Advocacy
Fellows learn how to navigate:
- healthcare institutions,
- policy systems,
- organizational culture,
- and advocacy environments more effectively.
The goal is to help participants become stronger voices for meaningful reform.
Leadership & Collaboration
The program also focuses on:
- team leadership,
- communication,
- coalition-building,
- and creating inclusive professional environments.
Modern healthcare leadership increasingly depends on collaboration across disciplines and communities.
Institutional Change & Mentorship
Participants learn how to identify opportunities for equity-focused improvements within organizations and how to mentor others while advancing systemic change.
Who This Fellowship Is Looking For
The program is generally aimed at:
- mid-career women professionals,
- researchers,
- policy advocates,
- healthcare practitioners,
- and individuals already working within health-related systems.
The strongest applicants are usually people who:
- care deeply about social justice,
- are passionate about gender equity,
- and want to create a broader impact within healthcare environments.
This isn’t just about professional advancement.
It’s about leadership with purpose.
The Program Runs in Three Phases
The fellowship unfolds over the course of one year in three major stages.
Phase 1 — Virtual Learning & Foundation Building
Participants begin with virtual coursework and leadership development sessions.
Phase 2 — In-Person Residency & Project Design
Fellows attend the fully funded residency and begin shaping their leadership projects.
Phase 3 — Project Implementation & Mentorship
Participants implement their projects while continuing to receive mentorship and professional support.
Why This Fellowship Stands Out
Many leadership programs focus heavily on theory.
This one appears designed around practical transformation.
It doesn’t simply ask:
“How can women become leaders?”
It also asks:
“How can health systems become more equitable because women are leading them?”
That difference matters.
Why This Opportunity Could Be Especially Valuable for Communicators & Advocates
People with backgrounds in:
- communication,
- journalism,
- broadcasting,
- advocacy,
- public engagement,
- or digital storytelling
can bring something incredibly valuable into global health spaces.
Healthcare organizations often struggle to communicate complex policy issues to the public in ways people genuinely understand. Professionals who can bridge that communication gap are increasingly important.
That’s why individuals with communication and advocacy experience may find this fellowship especially impactful if they want to move into:
- health advocacy,
- global health communication,
- policy awareness,
- or leadership-focused public engagement roles.
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