The Women’s Leadership Scholarship (WLS) program (formerly the Native Leadership Scholarship)

The Women’s Leadership Scholarship (WLS) program (formerly the Native Leadership Scholarship) creates educational opportunities for women activists, grassroots leaders, and organizers from the Global South and/or from indigenous groups. WLS invests in women’s leadership by supporting non-doctoral graduate education in human rights, sustainable development, and public health in many places around the world.

“Notice to Prospective Applicants”

WLS pre-applications for the 2008-2009 academic year will be available beginning Jan. 1 through March 14, 2008 on our website or by request from info@nativeleaders.org. “Letters of interest and pre-applications” “received prior to January 1 or after March 14, 2008 will not be considered.”

Scholarships

The WLS Selection Committee awards four to eight scholarships per year, up to US$25,000 per academic year for a maximum of two years. The awards help the recipients meet the costs of tuition, fees, books, educational supplies, housing, maintenance, and travel to and from the home country and the educational institution. WLS awards are paid directly to the institution in a student’s account. For foreign women intending to study at U.S.universities, WLS funding for expenses other than tuition and books is subject to a 14% U.S. tax.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible candidates include women leaders from the Global South and/or from
indigenous groups who also meet all the following criteria:

1. They are committed to grassroots organizing and the needs of their
2. communities or indigenous group.

3. They have proof of a bachelor’s or a higher degree.

4. They have at least three years of work experience dealing with critical
5. human rights concerns, and other social, educational, environmental, health
6. or economic conditions that negatively affect their communities.

7. They have been accepted into a non-doctoral graduate program at an
8. accredited university for full-time study/research related to their work
9. experience in human rights, sustainable development, and/or public health.

10. They can show evidence of financial need for educational support.

11. They intend to return to their home countries to work, utilizing training and research acquired in the study program.

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