Investing in the Next Generation of Women Leaders in Eye Health: WLEH Launches Fellowship Grants

By: Jennifer Tapia Boada

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Women Leaders in Eye Health is pleased to announce the launch of its Fellowship Grants, a new funding opportunity designed to support women leaders in eye health as they advance their skills and impact within their institutions, communities, and health systems.  

Officially launched on 24 July 2026, the Fellowship Grants represent a major milestone in WLEH's growing commitment to strengthening leadership pathways and advancing gender equity across the sector.

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The Fellowship Grants form part of the WLEH Accelerator Track, an emerging leadership ecosystem designed to help women not only participate in eye health, but also lead, innovate, influence decision-making, and drive lasting change. Through targeted support for learning and professional advancement opportunities, the initiative seeks to strengthen a diverse pipeline of women leaders capable of advancing gender equity and contributing to stronger eye health systems worldwide.
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Why Fellowship Grants?

Across the eye health sector, women continue to make invaluable contributions as clinicians, researchers, educators, advocates, and health leaders. Yet access to advanced training, specialization, and professional development opportunities remains uneven. WLEH's Fellowship Grants were created to help address this challenge by investing directly in women leaders and supporting opportunities that strengthen both individual leadership and broader institutional impact.

Applicants are welcomed from both emerging and established women leaders, acknowledging that leadership is demonstrated not only through formal titles or positions, but also through influence, mentorship, advocacy, service, innovation, and initiative.  
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Supporting Leadership and Systems Change

The Fellowship Grants support a wide range of learning opportunities, including:

• Clinical fellowships
• Clinical specialization programs
• Academic or degree programs
• Short courses and certification programs
• Advanced clinical or research training
• Other relevant learning opportunities aligned with gender equity and stronger eye health systems  
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By investing in these opportunities, WLEH hopes to strengthen women's leadership while also contributing to improved eye health outcomes, more equitable health systems, and stronger institutions. Fellows will be encouraged not only to apply their learning within their own professional practice, but also to share knowledge and contribute to leadership development within their organizations and communities.  

At its core, the Fellowship Grants initiative is about more than professional growth. WLEH believes that women leaders play a critical role in shaping the future of eye health. By supporting women to strengthen specialized expertise, expand their influence, and pursue leadership opportunities, the initiative aims to contribute to broader changes in how eye health systems develop, innovate, and respond to community needs.  

The Fellowship Grants also reflect WLEH's broader vision of creating connected leadership pathways that accompany women throughout different stages of their professional journeys, from emerging leaders building foundational skills to experienced professionals seeking to deepen their expertise and influence.  
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Applications Now Open

Applications are now being accepted on a rolling basis through December 2026, or until available funding has been allocated. Grants typically average approximately USD 4,500, although funding levels are determined on a case-by-case basis.  
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A Growing Vision for Women’s Leadership in Eye Health

The launch of the Fellowship Grants marks another important step in WLEH's evolution from a collection of activities into a platform for leadership development, innovation, advocacy, and systems change.

As the initiative continues to grow, investments such as the Fellowship Grants will help build stronger leadership pipelines, support women's advancement across the eye health workforce, and contribute to a future in which women leaders are fully represented in shaping policies, institutions, research, and service delivery.  

Ready to Apply? - Learn more about the Fellowship Grants and submit an application through the WLEH Grants page.

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