Call for applications now open for OWSD National Chapters Events and Activities 2027

The OWSD Secretariat is pleased to announce its 2027 call for applications for National Chapters events and activities. Each OWSD National Chapter can apply for up to USD 2,000 to organize local events and activities that promote, support and highlight the participation of women in science and technology in developing countries.

The call builds on a record year for OWSD National Chapters. In 2025, chapters in 31 countries organized nearly 190 activities, more than double the previous year. They ranged from outreach and conferences to training workshops, webinars and launch celebrations, and reached thousands of women and girls. In Guatemala, the chapter ran workshops for women in rural communities together with local education authorities. In Colombia, the travelling exhibition Fashion Lab: Mujeres en la Ciencia toured three universities and welcomed over 1,200 visitors. In Bolivia, science fairs and dialogues in six cities engaged more than 2,000 participants, and in Egypt the chapter organized fifteen activities, including an awareness caravan to Siwa Oasis. Read more about the 2025 National Chapters activities.

This year, the call goes beyond events. Chapters can also use the funds for other activities and materials, such as outreach kits for schools, mentoring sessions, social media campaigns, educational booklets, short videos or podcasts.

National Chapters are particularly encouraged to plan their activities around the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February 2027. Celebrating this day together across many countries is a unique opportunity to show the strength and reach of the OWSD network. Activities can take place at any time between 1 February and 1 December 2027.

How to apply
Each National Chapter can submit one proposal. To apply, chapters must complete the online application form and send the estimated budget (Annex 1) to the Secretariat by Friday 27 November 2026.

Key dates

• Online Q&A session: Friday 13 November 2026, 15:00 CET 
  https://unesco-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eHdzCLrUTXuV0lReFqPkgg
• Request to register a new host institute: by Friday 20 November 2026
• Deadline for applications: Friday 27 November 2026
• Communication of results and letters of contribution: by Friday 18 December 2026

For any questions and to read the full cal for applications, please contact the OWSD Secretariat.