15 Global Opportunities for Women and Girls Currently Open – September 14, 2025  – Opportunity Desk

Across the world, doors are opening for women and girls to access education, funding, mentorship, and platforms that can transform their futures. From scholarships and fellowships to leadership programs and grants, these opportunities are designed to break barriers, amplify voices, and create pathways for impact. Whether you’re a young leader, a professional seeking growth, or a changemaker ready to scale your work, these 15 opportunities currently open as of September 14, 2025, could be your next big step toward shaping a stronger, bolder tomorrow.

1.  WomenLift Health East Africa Leadership Journey 2026.

 The fully funded, 12-month WomenLift Health East Africa Leadership Journey is designed to provide talented mid-senior career women leaders in health with the safe space to explore their authentic leadership through vulnerability and reflection, an inclusive and diverse network which fosters a strong sense of belonging, tools and strategies for enhancing their voice, presence, and influence – all the while being supported by a powerful group of peers, mentors, and coaches.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Oct. 10

2.  AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences 2026. 

The program funded by The Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY) and implemented by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) seeks to build a pool of capable, confident, influential young women scientists equipped to excel in agricultural sciences, thrive in leadership roles, and champion gender integration in agriculture.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Oct. 15

3. UNODA Young Women for Biosecurity Fellowship 2025.

 Efforts to safeguard a better future for all will not be possible without gender equality. Yet, women continue to face systemic barriers and biases in pursuing scientific careers. In cutting edge fields such as artificial intelligence, only one in five professionals are women. Women also continue to be underrepresented in discussions related to biosafety and biosecurity, despite significant process in previous years.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Sept. 21

4. Giving Joy Grants 2025 for Women-led Initiatives. 

Giving Joy awards one-time, micro grants to women-led initiatives-giving women entrepreneurs critical resources to start businesses, acquire skills, sustain operations or improve their ideas worldwide.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Sept. 30

5. 360 Woman Africa Enterprise Fund Women-in-Business Grant 2025. 

This is a bold initiative designed to empower women-led businesses in Nigeria with the resources they need to grow, scale, and create lasting impact.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Oct. 5

6. ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – PhD Fellowship 2025. 

The ICGEB-SAWBP PhD Fellowship Scheme, in partnership with the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation will support South African women researchers intending to study towards a PhD degree, in Biotechnology at the Cape Town Component.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Sept. 19

7. WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey 2026. 

The fully funded, 12-month WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey is designed to provide talented women leaders in health with the safe space to explore their authentic leadership through vulnerability and reflection, an inclusive and diverse network which fosters a strong sense of belonging, tools and strategies for enhancing their voice, presence, and influence – all the while being supported by a powerful group of peers, mentors, and coaches.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Sept. 18

8. The Women in Digital Business (WIDB) Training Program

Are you a woman entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur ready to thrive in the digital economy? The Women in Digital Business (WIDB) Training Program is here to equip you with essential skills, tools, and strategies to digitally transform your business for Success.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Sept. 19

9. American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships 2026. 

AAUW’s International Fellowships promotes education and equity for women by investing in international applicants who will be pursuing postgraduate studies or research in the U.S., with the intention of applying their expertise, professional skills, and leadership in the context of their home countries.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Sept. 30

10. Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio Latin America & Caribbean 2026.

Ocean food sustains the livelihoods of more than 600 million people around the world (FAO, 2024), but women continue to be left out of key roles in the sector. The Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio is actively working to address these gender disparities by hosting an equity-free, business support program for female founders and leadership teams driving change in the blue economy.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Oct. 31

11. African Women for Change Network (AfNet) Flexible Grant 2025. 

The AfNet Flexible Grant is a funding opportunity designed to support initiatives led by women leaders and organizations dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. This grant focuses on fostering leadership, advocacy, and sustainable development.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Unspecified

12. SheScales Program 2025-2026. 

Launched in 2019 by Michelle Cardinal, co-founder and Chairwoman of Rain the Growth Agency, SheScales is on a mission to improve gender equality in the American business landscape by supporting female entrepreneurs as they scale their brands.
Click here to apply | Deadline : Sept. 15

13. European Prize for Women Innovators 2026. 

The European Prize for Women Innovators celebrates the women entrepreneurs behind Europe’s most game-changing innovations. The prize awards women from across the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe, whose disruptive innovations are driving positive change for people and planet.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Sept. 25

14.  Standard Chartered Women in Cyber Security Program 2025. 

The program is a collaboration between Standard Chartered Bank and Strathmore University to encourage more women to pursue careers in cybersecurity. It provides mentorship, technical training, and soft skills development over a four-month period, starting in October 2024.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Ongoing

15. Girls Who Invest Summer Intensive Program 2026.

 Building on the foundations set in the GWI Intensive Program’s unified curriculum, their Summer Intensive Program (SIP) combines academic instruction with real-world experience. It is intensive, immersive, and an incredible opportunity to explore a career in finance and investment as part of a supportive community of peers, lecturers, industry experts, Alumni, and GWI staff.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Oct. 1

For more information, visit OD Blog.