If you work on women’s rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East, you have three days to apply for something rare. The Heinrich Böll Foundation in Washington, DC is sending a cohort of feminist leaders to New York for the 71st Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 71).
Flights, accommodation, insurance and conference access are covered. The application is short but it asks for real thinking. Most of the work is a 300-word statement so start today.
Last Information Checked: 31 October 2026
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Fellowship | Feminist Futures Fellowship: A Global Majority Exchange (5th edition) |
| Organiser | Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC |
| Event | CSW 71, New York City, USA |
| Conference Dates | 8–19 March 2027 |
| Time Required | 7 days during the conference period |
| Open To | Feminist leaders from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East |
| Language | Professional English required |
| Deadline | 2 November 2026 |
What the Foundation Pays For
The package covers the practical barriers that keep many advocates away from UN events.
- International return flights
- Transport to and from airports
- Up to seven nights of accommodation in New York
- Health and travel insurance
- CSW registration, accreditation and access to selected meetings
The source does not mention a stipend or visa assistance. Applicants who need a US visa should ask the organisers early (contacts are listed at the end of this article).
What Happens Once You Arrive
CSW is large and easy to get lost in. This fellowship is built to prevent that.
Before the conference, fellows join introductory sessions and workshops that help them define their advocacy goals. In New York, they attend networking events, bilateral and multilateral meetings, and informal exchanges with other feminist leaders.
The Foundation also promotes fellows on its social media before the event and publishes individual profiles through its Washington office and its Global Unit for Feminism and Gender Democracy.
Also Read: Georgetown Global Frontline Leaders 2027: $7,500 USD Stipend
Fellows have duties too:
- Write a short personal strategy for the conference
- Contribute to workshops, meetings and public discussions
- Share insights on social media before, during and after CSW
- Possibly write a short article or blog post afterward
The 2027 session focuses on accelerating gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Who Should Apply
Both emerging and experienced feminist leaders can apply, as long as they are based in one of the four regions. Researchers, advocates and women’s rights experts are all welcome.
Two details are easy to miss:
- Reserved places: Some spots are held for young feminists aged 21 to 35 who have never attended a CSW session.
- Partner organisations: Groups that work with the Heinrich Böll Foundation are encouraged to apply and should mention that relationship.
Every applicant must show professional English and be free to travel to the US for seven days in March 2027.
If you have worked in this field for years, don’t assume the programme is only for the young. The Foundation explicitly wants experienced voices, and it values exchange across generations.
Also See: FASPE Journalism Fellowship 2027 in Germany & Poland | Fully Funded
Preparing the Application
Three items are required.
1. A CV (two pages maximum)
Use the standard US resume format. Leave out your photo and your marital and family status. Do include your age, because it determines eligibility for the reserved places.
2. A motivational statement (300 words maximum)
It must answer four questions:
- What is the biggest current challenge facing the gender equality or women’s rights movement?
- How would you address it?
- What are you already doing about it?
- How would CSW 71 help you move that work forward?
3. A communications statement (200 words maximum)
Say whether you would write a short article or blog post after the fellowship. If yes, outline the topic or angle you would explore.
Three hundred words forces a choice. A statement that names one specific challenge and one concrete action will read better than a list of everything you care about. Your reviewers can tell when an applicant has a clear focus.
Final Steps Before 2 November
Submit through the official portal at usboell.bamboohr.com/careers/97. Questions can go to Carla Adams (Carla.Adams@us.boell.org) or Mariama Baldé (Mariama.Balde@us.boell.org).
With so little time left, a short checklist helps:
- Draft the statement first, since it takes longest
- Trim your CV to two pages in US format
- Confirm your passport and travel availability for 8–19 March 2027
- Submit at least a few hours before the deadline
