Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellowship 2027 | Global Funding, Leadership Programme & Fellowship for Women Impact Entrepreneurs
Applications are now open for the Cartier Women’s Initiative (CWI) 2027, one of the world’s leading international entrepreneurship programmes supporting women impact entrepreneurs. Founded in 2006, the initiative empowers women-led businesses that are creating positive social and environmental impact through innovative and sustainable business models. The programme combines grant funding, a year-long fellowship, leadership development, executive coaching, global networking, and lifelong community membership to help entrepreneurs scale their impact.
For the 2027 edition, the Cartier Women’s Initiative will select 30 fellows across 10 award categories (nine regional awards and one Science & Technology Pioneer Award). Fellows receive financial support, tailored business training, international visibility, and access to a global network of more than 500 impact entrepreneurs and supporters.
About the Cartier Women’s Initiative
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an annual international programme that supports women entrepreneurs using business as a force for good. Beyond financial awards, the programme offers a comprehensive support system centered on three pillars:
- Financial Capital
- Human Capital
- Social Capital
Its mission is to help women entrepreneurs grow sustainable businesses while strengthening their leadership skills and expanding their global influence. Since its launch, the initiative has supported 330 fellows from 66 countries and has awarded more than US$14.1 million in financial support.
Fellowship Programme
The Cartier Women’s Initiative Fellowship is a year-long leadership and business development programme designed to equip fellows with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to scale their businesses.
The fellowship includes:
- Executive leadership development.
- One-on-one business coaching.
- Individual mentoring by industry experts.
- Business growth and strategy workshops.
- Financial management training.
- Storytelling and communications coaching.
- Impact measurement support.
- Media training.
- Peer-learning sessions.
- Networking with global investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
- Academic programming delivered in partnership with leading institutions.
- Lifelong access to the Cartier Women’s Initiative community.
Grant Funding
Awardees receive grant funding based on their final ranking:
- 🥇 First Place: US$100,000
- 🥈 Second Place: US$60,000
- 🥉 Third Place: US$30,000
In addition to grant funding, all fellows receive a comprehensive fellowship package valued at approximately US$20,000, together with global media exposure, networking opportunities, and lifelong community membership.
Award Categories
The programme includes:
Regional Awards
- Anglophone & Lusophone Africa
- Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa
- Europe
- North America
- Latin America & the Caribbean
- Middle East & North Africa
- East Asia
- South Asia & Central Asia
- Oceania
Thematic Award
- Science & Technology Pioneer Award
Three fellows are selected in each category, creating a global cohort of 30 fellows each year.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should generally:
- Identify as women.
- Own or lead an impact-driven business.
- Operate a legally registered, for-profit enterprise.
- Demonstrate measurable social and/or environmental impact.
- Have an innovative and scalable business model.
- Meet the programme’s detailed eligibility requirements outlined in the official application guidelines.
The programme welcomes eligible applicants from all countries and sectors.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows gain access to:
- Grant funding of up to US$100,000.
- A year-long international fellowship.
- Executive leadership coaching.
- Personalized mentoring.
- Business development support.
- Global networking opportunities.
- International media visibility.
- Peer learning with fellow entrepreneurs.
- Lifelong membership in the Cartier Women’s Initiative community.
- Connections with investors, experts, and ecosystem partners.
Why Apply?
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is more than an entrepreneurship competition—it is a long-term leadership platform for women building businesses that address global challenges. Fellows benefit from world-class mentorship, practical business support, international recognition, and a lifelong community that continues to create collaboration and growth opportunities long after the fellowship ends. According to the programme, 82% of recent fellows reported concrete benefits from the Initiative’s support, networks, communications, and events.
How to Apply
Interested entrepreneurs should:
- Review the eligibility criteria on the official Cartier Women’s Initiative website.
- Prepare information about their business, impact model, and leadership experience.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit all required documents before the published deadline.
- Await the shortlisting, due diligence, jury evaluation, and awards process.
Applications for the 2027 edition opened on 16 April 2026 and closed on 16 June 2026. Future editions are typically announced annually on the official Cartier Women’s Initiative website.
Disclaimer
Vacancy Bridge shares verified scholarships, fellowships, grants, entrepreneurship programmes, and international opportunities for informational purposes only. Vacancy Bridge is not affiliated with the Cartier Women’s Initiative. Applicants should always refer to the official programme website for the latest eligibility requirements, application timelines, and programme details.
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