WINGS Caribbean is a new UNESCO fellowship initiative that supports outstanding mid-career and advanced women researchers and innovators whose work addresses the Caribbean’s most pressing development challenges.

By providing targeted support, visibility and a platform for practical, nationally relevant solutions, WINGS Caribbean aims to elevate women into greater leadership in science and innovation, strengthen regional excellence, and inspire the next generation of Caribbean women and girls to pursue careers in science.

Fellowships: One STEM Fellowship and one Social Impact Fellowship

Value: US$10,000 each

Duration: Up to 12 months from the date of award

Application Deadline: 30 September 2026 at midnight Jamaica time (UTC−5)

1. Background and Purpose

The Caribbean stands at a critical moment where the sciences, technology, innovation, and research are essential to addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges ranging from climate resilience, disaster risk reduction to sustainable socioeconomic development. Researchers and innovators play a vital role in generating knowledge and developing solutions that are nationally relevant, culturally grounded, and capable of creating lasting impact for Caribbean communities.

At the same time, women continue to be underrepresented in many scientific and innovation leadership roles, despite their significant contributions to advancing knowledge and driving progress. To recognise the outstanding contributions of women in the sciences, the UNESCO Regional Office for the Caribbean is launching WINGS Caribbean, in technical collaboration with The University of the West Indies, Mona, Faculty of Science and Technology and the Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS).

This initiative will support two advanced or mid-career women researchers or innovators whose projects address Caribbean development priorities and can deliver practical societal benefits within one year. Through WINGS Caribbean, UNESCO and its partners seek to amplify the visibility of women in science, foster regional excellence, and inspire the next generation of Caribbean women and girls to pursue careers in scientific research and innovation.

2. Fellowship Streams

WINGS Caribbean will support outstanding women researchers and innovators through 2 fellowship streams.

WINGS STEM Fellowship: This stream is focused on work that advances scientific knowledge, technical innovation or evidence-based solutions in the following areas:

• STEM; climate and environmental resilience; disaster risk reduction; digital innovation and emerging technologies; or applied scientific research

WINGS Social Impact Fellowship: This stream is focused on work that contributes to social transformation, inclusive development and whole-of-society wellbeing in the following areas:

• Social sciences; social entrepreneurship and innovation; governance and public policy; social development; or community-based research

Each selected fellow will receive a grant of US$10,000 to support the implementation of a project or initiative. This will also be combined with technical and scientific support from partner institutions, opportunities for regional recognition and visibility through UNESCO channels.

The fellowship seeks to advance promising initiatives with the potential for tangible societal impact as well as to elevate the profile of outstanding women researchers and innovators whose work is helping address key Caribbean development challenges. Through WINGS Caribbean, fellows will join a growing network of women leaders committed to strengthening scientific excellence, innovation, and sustainable development across the region.

3. Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Identify as women and be nationals of UNESCO Member States or Associate Members in the English-speaking and Dutch-speaking Caribbean
• Be affiliated with a recognised academic institution, research centre, public body, or accredited innovation or social enterprise organisation
• Be at a mid-career or advanced career stage, with demonstrated relevant experience
• Propose an original, nationally relevant project that can be completed within 12 months and has a clear pathway to measurable societal benefit

Only one application may be submitted per applicant. Applicants must select the stream that best matches the proposed project.

4. Expected Outputs

The selected fellows will be expected to deliver:

• A research, policy or innovation output with practical application and potential for societal benefit
• Two dissemination activities targeting relevant stakeholders, beneficiaries and/or decision-makers
• A concise policy brief, technical guidance note or applied knowledge product suitable for wider use and uptake
• Interim and final narrative and financial reports, in accordance with UNESCO’s reporting requirements

5. Selection Criteria

CriterionWeightScientific and/or technical quality and rigour20%Innovation and originality20%Relevance to Caribbean development priorities20%Feasibility of completion within 12 months10%Practical societal benefit and impact (including scalability and replication potential)20%Contribution to gender equality and women’s empowerment10%

Eligible applications will undergo a technical assessment coordinated by UNESCO in collaboration with UWI-Mona FST and CAS. UNESCO will make the final fellowship decisions, taking into account the assessment results and overall objectives of this initiative.

6. Application Requirements

Interested applicants must submit, in English:

• Completed online application form, including project summary, objectives, methodology, work plan, expected results and anticipated societal benefit
• Itemised budget and justification, not exceeding US$10,000
• Curriculum vitae and proof of nationality; and
• Letter of affiliation/support from the host institution, where applicable

7. How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the online form by the stated deadline. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Late or incomplete applications may be deemed ineligible.

Selected fellows will enter into an agreement with UNESCO and must comply with applicable ethical, regulatory, reporting, visibility and financial requirements. UNESCO reserves the right not to make an award if applications do not meet the required standard.

UNESCO

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