Deadline: 01-Mar-2026
The DAWN Fellowship Programme 2026 supports young feminist women from the Global South to undertake innovative projects on the political economy of gender-based violence and conflict. The fellowship focuses exclusively on conflict-affected contexts in Sudan, Palestine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), offering a platform to amplify feminist research, advocacy, and creative expression.
This opportunity is open to individual applicants only and is designed to strengthen feminist knowledge production and resistance rooted in lived realities.
Supporting Young Feminist Women from the Global South
The Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN) has launched a new Fellowship Programme aimed at supporting young feminist women from the Global South.
The fellowship prioritises feminist analysis, action, and knowledge-sharing on gender-based violence and conflict, with a strong focus on political economy perspectives in deeply affected contexts.
What Is the DAWN Fellowship Programme?
The DAWN Fellowship Programme is a thematic, project-based fellowship designed to support young feminist women working on issues of conflict, violence, power, and resistance.
The fellowship provides space, visibility, and support for fellows to develop and share work that challenges dominant narratives and centres feminist, Global South perspectives.
Fellowship Theme and Focus Area
Core Theme
The Political Economy of Gender-Based Violence and Conflict
This theme explores how economic systems, power relations, militarisation, and political structures shape gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict settings.
Geographic Focus (Mandatory)
All proposals must be centred on one or more of the following conflict-affected contexts:
-
Sudan
-
Palestine
-
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Applications focusing on other countries or regions will not be considered.
Types of Projects Supported
The fellowship supports a wide range of feminist approaches and methodologies.
Eligible project types include:
-
Feminist research and analysis
-
Advocacy and policy-oriented work
-
Community mobilisation and resistance strategies
-
Creative and artistic expressions rooted in feminist politics
Projects must clearly demonstrate how they engage with the fellowship theme and selected context.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Gender-based violence in conflict settings is deeply shaped by political and economic systems.
This fellowship aims to:
-
Amplify feminist voices from the Global South
-
Support knowledge production rooted in lived experience
-
Challenge structural and systemic drivers of violence
-
Create space for resistance, imagination, and transformation
-
Connect local feminist work with international audiences
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility is strictly defined and all criteria must be met.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must:
-
Identify as women feminists
-
Be under 40 years of age
-
Be from the Global South
-
Apply as individuals (no joint or group applications)
-
Demonstrate commitment to feminist principles and methodologies
Ineligible Applicants
The following are not eligible:
-
Organisations, NGOs, groups, or collectives
-
Applications focused outside Sudan, Palestine, or the DRC
-
Applicants over the age of 40
-
Applications not aligned with the stated fellowship theme
Fellowship Structure and Timing
Fellowship Start Period
The fellowship may begin at the fellow’s convenience between:
-
1 May 2026 and 30 June 2026
Selection Timeline
-
Application deadline: 1 March 2026
-
Selection process concludes: 30 April 2026
-
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
Applicants who do not receive communication by 30 April 2026 should consider their application unsuccessful.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Applicants must follow the instructions carefully to ensure eligibility.
Step 1: Complete the Application Form
-
Download and complete the fillable PDF application form
-
All sections must be completed electronically
-
Respect all word limits
Step 2: Review and Verify
-
Save the completed document
-
Verify that no sections are left blank
-
Ensure clarity, coherence, and alignment with the theme
Step 3: Submit via the Application Form Only
-
Submit the completed PDF through the official application form
-
Applications sent by email will not be reviewed
Incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified.
Important Application Rules
-
Only individual applications are accepted
-
Previous applicants must submit a new application for the 2026 cycle
-
Late submissions will not be considered
-
Failure to follow instructions will result in disqualification
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Submitting projects outside the specified conflict contexts
-
Applying as a group or collective
-
Leaving sections of the application form blank
-
Exceeding word limits
-
Sending applications by email instead of the application form
-
Reusing old applications from previous cycles
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can organisations or collectives apply?
No. Only individual applicants are eligible.
2. Is the fellowship open to applicants outside the Global South?
No. Applicants must be from the Global South.
3. Can I apply if I am over 40?
No. Applicants must be under the age of 40.
4. Are creative projects eligible?
Yes. Creative and artistic expressions are explicitly supported.
5. Will all applicants be contacted?
No. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted by 30 April 2026.
6. Can I submit my application by email?
No. Applications submitted by email will not be reviewed.
7. I applied in a previous year. Can I apply again?
Yes. Previous applicants must submit a new application for the 2026 cycle.
Conclusion
The DAWN Fellowship Programme 2026 offers a critical opportunity for young feminist women from the Global South to deepen analysis, resistance, and creative work on gender-based violence in conflict.
By centring feminist political economy perspectives and amplifying voices from Sudan, Palestine, and the DRC, the fellowship contributes to transformative feminist knowledge and action at local and global levels.
For more information, visit DAWN Feminist.