The WomenLeaders India Fellowship is a leadership programme from Reliance Foundation with Vital Voices Global Partnership. Each cohort of 50 women social-sector leaders and social entrepreneurs builds skills in climate resilience, sports for development, education or livelihoods, and develops an SDG-aligned project.
Launched in 2022, it has run two cohorts (2022–23 and 2024–25); no later call has been announced. Ten months of online learning sit between opening and closing gatherings in India.
Benefits & funding
- No cost to take part (fully funded).
- Over eight months: three webinars a month, five peer gatherings, five one-on-one mentoring sessions, a monthly mentoring circle and eight thematic sessions.
- Two in-person gatherings in India, the first a two-day symposium in Mumbai.
- A closing pitch competition where selected projects win a grant; no amount is published.
Eligibility
- Women who are Indian nationals living and working in India.
- At least five years’ work in livelihoods, education, climate resilience or sports for development (Reliance Foundation 2024–25 call; the Vital Voices page lists three).
- Intermediate English, decision-making authority, 6–8 hours a month, and an SDG or social-impact project idea.
- Social entrepreneurs: an India-based business with 3+ full-time staff (or equivalent), operating 5 years.
- Social sector leaders: 5+ years’ track record; organisation registered with the Government of India, active 3+ years.
- Staff of Reliance group companies, Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices are ineligible.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
India
Residence required
India
Experience required
≥ 5 yrs
Gender requirement
Female
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Application process
- 1Submit the online application form by the deadline (July 28, 2024, 11:59 p.m. IST in the last cycle).
- 2An expert panel reviews and shortlists applications.
- 3Fifty fellows are announced, then start with the Mumbai symposium.
Program timeline
July 1, 2024
2024–25 call announced
Applications closed (11:59 p.m. IST)
July 28, 2024
Expert-panel shortlisting
Early August 2024
50 fellows announced
End of August 2024
Opening symposium, Mumbai
September 13–14, 2024