Manila, CRDF Global, in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada, has introduced an eight-month fellowship program aimed at empowering women within the nuclear security and nonproliferation communities globally. The initiative seeks to support projects that will benefit women in the participants’ home institutions and local communities, aligning with Global Affairs Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy.

According to Pak NGOs, the program invites six pairs of female-identifying professionals from diverse fields such as science, government, academia, and nuclear security from regions including South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The fellowship comprises a series of webinars, mini-grant programs, and a concluding in-person workshop in Vienna, Austria. The project aims to foster skill development, strengthen project proposals, and facilitate networking among professionals in the nuclear security field.

Funded generously by Global Affairs Canada, the fellowship offers up to $8,000 per project, covering expenses from April to November 2024. CRDF Global will also bear the costs associated with the webinar series and the Vienna workshop, including airfare, accommodation, and per diem allowances.

Eligibility for the program is extended to female-identifying professionals in the nuclear and nonproliferation industry, with a special focus on those who can demonstrate the relevance of the training to their current roles. Priority will be given to applicants applying in pairs from the same country, emphasizing the program’s commitment to fostering collaborative efforts among participants from similar backgrounds.

Applicants must be citizens and residents of eligible countries across Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and the Middle East, with a history of engagement in nuclear security and nonproliferation roles. The fellowship also requires a commitment to the full program duration, participation in bi-weekly check-ins, and submission of a final report detailing project outcomes.

This fellowship underscores the importance of gender inclusion in the nuclear security sector, offering a unique opportunity for female professionals to lead and innovate within their fields. It represents a strategic effort to build an inclusive society that values equal participation across all sectors, aiming to create a safer and more prosperous world.