Entries open for the Bertha Foundation Challenge Fellowships.

Applications open for the Bertha Foundation Challenge Fellowships. The Bertha Challenge is designed to foster innovative projects by offering dedicated time to concentrate on a specific initiative, opportunities to engage with a diverse international group of Bertha Fellows and partners, and the necessary resources to create and present a body of work that directly addresses the Challenge question.

Bertha Foundation Challenge Fellowships provide:

• Financial support for each Bertha Challenge Fellow for a duration of one year, capped at USD 64,900 and aligned with the applicant’s current or equivalent salary at their host organization.
• A Project Fund of up to USD 10,000 for each Bertha Challenge Fellow to develop a final body of work that answers the Bertha Challenge question and targets a defined audience.
• Access to a Connect Fund of up to USD 5,000 specifically aimed at promoting collaboration among Fellows.
  Support from peers and mentors through regular virtual meetings with Bertha staff and a community of Bertha Challenge Fellows and alumni.
• Opportunities for network expansion through the global cohort of Bertha Challenge Fellows.
• A global gathering of Bertha Challenge Fellows at the beginning of the Fellowship year.
• The Bertha Challenge is set to commence in January 2026, featuring an initial gathering planned for the early part of the Fellowship year at one of
• Bertha’s affiliated global retreat locations, where Bertha Fellows will:
• Engage with fellow participants in the 2026 Bertha Challenge cohort, dedicating time to familiarize themselves with one another and presenting their individual projects and viewpoints.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the design of their project work for the year within a nurturing environment.
• Explore and outline potential collaborations among the cohort members.
• Discuss and analyze recent developments concerning the Bertha Challenge question.

Bertha Foundation Challenge Fellowships Requirements

Bertha Fellows are expected to dedicate their efforts within their home countries and must fulfill the following obligations:

• Engage in full-time work for a duration of one year to execute their Bertha Challenge project.
• Participate in an in-person global gathering scheduled for the early part of the Fellowship.
• Create and present a comprehensive body of work that addresses the Bertha Challenge question.
• Join two virtual meetings each month, and at times, take on the role of facilitator for these meetings.

Bertha Foundation Challenge Fellowships Culminating Work

• The core element of the Bertha Challenge program is the Fellowship project. Each Fellow is required to generate and present a body of work that relates to the Bertha Challenge question and illustrates a participatory approach with a community or communities. Examples of past projects can be accessed through the Bertha Challenge alumni profiles available here.
• We encourage Fellows to gain insights from one another’s work and experiences. Besides delivering the final product to the intended audience, all work must also be shared with the entire cohort. Projects must be made publicly accessible and free of charge upon completion, and they should be presented in English. Costs for translation may be included in the Fellow’s project budget.
• Candidates selected for an interview will be requested to provide a brief presentation regarding their proposed project.

Bertha Foundation Challenge Fellowships Selection Criteria

• Bertha aims to assemble a diverse and representative group of Bertha Fellows that honors inclusivity.
• The selection of Bertha Challenge Fellows will be based on individual merit, as well as their complementary skills to the group, their current and/or proposed networks, and the potential long-term impact of their contributions.
• Applicants may originate from and operate in any country; however, to ensure full participation within this cohort of Bertha Challenge Fellows, we require all applicants to possess proficiency in both spoken and written English and to be capable of presenting their final work in English.

Bertha Foundation Challenge Fellowships Application Requirements

All applicants must submit:

• A completed online application form.
• A brief resume/ CV in English of no more than two pages.
• A list of 2-4 referees including name, relationship to applicant and contact details.
• A signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from the prospective host organization – including commensurate salary and health and pension benefits provided.
• Examples of previous work.
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