Women in Nuclear Security Fellowship Opportunity

In partnership with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) under the Weapons Threat Reduction Program (WTRP), CRDF Global is launching an eight-month fellowship program to strengthen the role of women in nuclear security and nonproliferation communities globally, with a particular focus on advancing implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540. This project is implemented with generous support from GAC as part of the Feminist International Assistance Policy to foster rights-based, open, and inclusive societies where all individuals, regardless of gender, can fully participate in economic, political, social, and cultural life, contributing to a safer and more secure world.

CRDF Global invites six pairs of female-identifying scientists, government representatives, academics, nuclear security experts, and practitioners from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia to participate in a three-part project following the previous model: (1) mini-grant program, (2) webinar training series, and (3) capstone in-person workshop in Vienna, Austria.

Each grantee pair will be assigned to one mentor from their region. Mentors will share best practices with their mentees and connect them with a wider audience to facilitate project success and career development. CRDF Global will partner with non-proliferation experts to implement a five-session webinar series focused on knowledge-building and skills development. CRDF Global will implement a follow-on mini-grant program, enabling participants to lead projects that engage women within their home institutions. Mentors will provide guidance throughout the implementation process, helping grantees maximize their impact and extend the project’s reach. CRDF Global will implement a two-day capstone workshop in Vienna, Austria to mitigate gender imbalance in nuclear security.

Each pair of fellows will receive a grant of up to $8,000 USD to implement a joint project aimed at developing and strengthening networks among women working in nuclear security and nonproliferation within their home institutions. Projects must demonstrate potential for broader institutional or national-level impact and include clear strategies for knowledge of dissemination and sustained engagement.

Program Outline and Schedule:

• July 2026, Five-Part Webinar Series: Selected fellows will participate in a five-session webinar series designed to build the knowledge and technical skills necessary to implement their mini-grant projects. This virtual training phase will help refine project designs prior to implementation. The series will strengthen proposals and equip fellows with key professional competencies, including project management, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, research and policy paper development, networking, and fundraising. Fellows will also expand their understanding of nuclear security and non-proliferation topics, such as UNSCR 1540 implementation, open-source tools, geospatial analysis, and nuclear risk reduction. Each pair of fellows will be assigned a regional mentor who will provide guidance on project design, support implementation planning, and facilitate connections across the global nuclear security community.
• July 2026 – February 2027, Mini Grant Implementation: Selected six pairs of twelve fellows will implement joint projects, each receiving a grant of up to $8,000 USD. These projects are expected to focus on strengthening networks among women in nuclear security and non-proliferation, promoting women’s leadership and participation in decision-making, addressing barriers to inclusion in the field, and disseminating knowledge to a broader audience beyond direct participants. Proposed activities may include mentorship programs, workshops, networking events, training sessions, institutional engagement initiatives, surveys, or other scalable interventions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to incorporate data collection tools, such as surveys and feedback mechanisms, to assess impact, identify institutional needs, and inform future programming. CRDF Global staff and mentors will provide ongoing support throughout implementation to maximize impact, ensure effective execution, and extend the reach of each project.
• February 2027: Capstone In-Person Workshop in Vienna, Austria: All selected fellows will attend a two-day capstone workshop in Vienna, Austria. During the workshop, fellows will present their project outcomes and measurable impact, share lessons learned and best practices, identify opportunities for future collaboration and scaling, and engage in technical and policy discussions on nuclear security and gender equality. The workshop will feature a tabletop simulation on leveraging emerging technologies for nuclear risk reduction, exposure to open-source tools, and structured networking opportunities. Participants will also visit the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to engage with professionals in nuclear security and non-proliferation. CRDF Global will fully fund travel, lodging, and local transportation to ensure full participation and engagement.

CRDF Global is inviting applications from female-identifying professionals working in the nuclear and nonproliferation industry— such as operators, regulators, academics, and research institution professionals who seek to build tools and skills for innovative project implementation and network-building.

Required Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must apply in pairs under a single application. Priority will be given to pairs from the same country, and the fellows from previous iterations are not eligible to apply.

• Must be a female-identifying citizen of a country in Asia, Africa, Latin America, or the Middle East, excluding DPRK, Iran, Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, and Syria.
• Must have prior experience in nuclear security or non-proliferation roles.
• Ability and willingness to commit to the full fellowship program.
• Ability and willingness to attend bi-weekly check-in calls and submit progress updates and a final report.
• Ability to travel to Vienna, Austria in March 2027.
• Professional proficiency in English is required.
• A completed application, including project budget and narrative.
• All materials must be original and properly cited.
• All application materials must be submitted in English.
• Selected applicants must provide references and passport copy.

Required documents include:

1. Completed Application
2. Completed Budget and narrative
3. CV for both applicants.