Deadline: December 20, 2025
The SparkUp Initiative Fellowship 2026 offers a transformative opportunity for women-led organisations seeking to strengthen their fundraising capacity, improve their programme development skills, and expand their impact. This fellowship equips participants with practical knowledge, personalised mentorship, and hands-on tools to secure international funding. Designed for organisations across all sectors, the SparkUp Initiative Fellowship 2026 provides a structured pathway to build sustainable fundraising systems and gain global visibility.
About the Opportunity
The SparkUp Initiative Fellowship is a capacity-building programme created to support women-led NGOs and grassroots organisations operating in various sectors such as education, health, gender equality, environmental justice, economic empowerment, indigenous rights, and policy advocacy. The fellowship aims to bridge the gap many organisations face in fundraising by offering tailored training, expert mentorship, and a collaborative learning environment.
The programme runs for approximately two months and combines training workshops, one-on-one mentorship sessions, and peer learning activities. It is designed to help organisations build strong fundraising strategies, develop impactful projects, and improve their competitiveness when applying for international grants.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a women-led NGO or grassroots organisation.
- Be based in developing countries across Asia, Africa, or smaller European countries.
- Operate within any thematic area — all sectors are welcome.
- Be newly established or fully established; there is no age restriction on how long the organisation has existed.
Benefits / Award Details
Selected organisations will receive:
- Training on developing a tailored and effective fundraising strategy.
- Guidance on building and refining strong project concepts and fundraising plans.
- Practical grant-writing skills relevant to international foundations and public funding institutions.
- Training on digital fundraising and crowdfunding methods.
- One-on-one mentorship from experienced fundraising professionals.
- Peer learning opportunities with other women-led organisations worldwide.
- Enhanced capacity to access and compete for global grant opportunities.
This fellowship provides a comprehensive support system aimed at helping organisations scale their impact and establish sustainable funding pathways.
Application Requirements / Documents
To complete the application, the following documents must be submitted:
- A filled application form.
- A one-page concept note outlining a project or fundraising idea.
- A current CV.
- A signed letter confirming that the applicant holds a leadership position within the organisation.
Timeline / Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20 December 2025
Fellowship Structure
The fellowship includes three major components essential for long-term organisational growth:
- Online Group Sessions: Interactive workshops designed to improve fundraising knowledge and proposal development skills.
- One-on-One Mentorship: Personalised support from fundraising experts to refine project ideas and develop tailored strategies.
- Peer Learning: Opportunities to collaborate with and learn from other women leaders globally.
This structure ensures a well-rounded learning experience focused on practical implementation and strategic growth.
Selection Process
Applicants are assessed based on:
- Relevance and clarity of their concept note.
- Strength of organisational leadership.
- Demonstrated need for fundraising capacity support.
- Potential for impact and alignment with the fellowship’s objectives.
Applicants who meet the criteria and demonstrate strong potential for growth will be selected for participation.
Additional Information / Terms
- Participation in all sessions is required throughout the fellowship.
- Organisations must be represented by a woman in a leadership role.
- All submitted documents must be accurate and verifiable.
How to Apply
Interested organisations must prepare all required documents and submit their application on or before 20 December 2025.
Application Links (appear only once at the bottom):
If you need support with proposal drafting, refining and review — contact us for proposal drafting, refinning and review.
