Applications are now open for the I AM NALA Fellowship 2027, a Nalafem fellowship for young African women working in areas connected to women, peace and security, political leadership, advocacy, and decision-making.
The 2027 fellowship is scheduled to run from January to July 2027 and targets young African women aged 18 to 40 who are refugees, internally displaced, stateless, or otherwise displaced and are involved in leadership, advocacy, peacebuilding, or political activities. Nalafem announced that applications close on October 31, 2026.
About the I AM NALA Fellowship
The I AM NALA Fellowship is a Nalafem leadership programme connected to its broader work on women’s political participation and leadership in Africa. Furthermore, the fellowship is designed for young African women who are already involved in leadership or organising and want to strengthen their skills, networks and ability to participate in decision-making and peacebuilding processes.
Meanwhile, Nalafem describes itself as a Pan-African platform bringing together women politicians and activists, and here are the important dates for the program.
Applications open: September 2026
Application deadline: October 31, 2026
Shortlisted candidates notified: November 6, 2026
Fellowship period: January-July 2027
Benefits of the I AM NALA Fellowship
The fellowship provides opportunities for:
- Leadership capacity building
- Technical support
- Mentorship
- Training and masterclasses
- Peer learning
- Alliance and solidarity building
- Networking with other young African women leaders
- Engagement with experienced leaders and mentors
- Support related to political leadership and peacebuilding
- Potential in-person engagements
The programme includes bi-monthly online sessions involving training, masterclasses and discussions with mentors and senior leaders.
However, the available official information does not describe the fellowship as a conventional tuition scholarship or specify a fixed cash award, so applicants should not assume that it provides a monetary stipend.
Who Can Apply?
The 2027 fellowship is looking for young African women aged 18-40 who meet the programme’s displacement requirement and demonstrate leadership or involvement in relevant areas.
Potential applicants may include:
- Leaders of campaigns or women’s groups
- Members of alliances, consortia or collectives
- Young women involved in cross-conflict negotiations
- Current young women politicians
- Women involved in peacebuilding and advocacy
- Women working on issues connected to the Africa Young Women Beijing +25 Manifesto
Nalafem’s announcement specifically states that applicants must be refugees, internally displaced, stateless, or displaced women leaders.
Values of the I AM NALA Fellowship
The fellowship is connected to Nalafem’s stated values, including:
- Solidarity
- Social justice
- Dignity
- Equity
- Decolonial feminist Pan-Africanism
Applicants should therefore understand the programme’s focus and demonstrate how their leadership work relates to its areas of interest.
What Will Fellows Do?
The 2027 fellowship will run from January through July 2027, and participants will take part in bi-monthly online sessions that can include:
- Leadership training
- Masterclasses
- Discussions with experienced leaders
- Mentorship
- Peer learning
- Conversations around political leadership and peacebuilding
The programme may also include in-person engagements.
How to Apply for the I AM NALA Fellowship 2027
Here are the steps to follow to apply for the I AM NALA Fellowship.
- Review the eligibility requirements for the 2027 fellowship.
- Confirm that you meet the age, African nationality, and displacement requirements.
- Review the fellowship’s focus on women, peace and security, political leadership and advocacy.
- Complete the I AM NALA Fellowship application provided by Nalafem.
- Provide accurate information about your leadership, organising, advocacy, or peacebuilding experience.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
The application deadline is October 31, 2026. Nalafem has stated that only shortlisted candidates will be notified, with notification expected by November 6, 2026.
Official Website
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the I AM NALA Fellowship for?
It is aimed at young African women aged 18-40 who are refugees, internally displaced, stateless, or otherwise displaced and who are involved in leadership, political, advocacy, peacebuilding, or related work.
Is there an age limit?
Yes, the 2027 call specifies an age range of 18-40 years.
When does the fellowship take place?
The 2027 fellowship is scheduled for January to July 2027.
Is the I AM NALA Fellowship fully funded?
The current information available from Nalafem does not state a fixed financial award or describe the programme as a fully funded scholarship. Also, applicants should therefore rely on the official fellowship information rather than assuming that it provides a cash stipend.
When is the application deadline?
Applications close on October 31, 2026.
What kind of activities are included?
The fellowship includes online training, masterclasses, mentorship, and dialogue sessions, with potential opportunities for in-person engagement.
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