ABOUT THE WIN FELLOWSHIP
The Atlantic Council’s Women Innovators (WIn) Fellowship program, launched in March 2022 as part of the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, is dedicated to supporting the personal and professional growth of Arab women entrepreneurs across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The program offers a an experience designed to enhance leadership and executive capacity of women entrepreneurs through custom executive education modules, mentorship opportunities, public policy regional events, business-oriented workshops, and networking sessions with influential leaders from both the United States (US) and the MENA region.
With over 200 WIn alumni, the program has created a regional network of powerhouse women with innovative businesses, strong relationships across markets, and platforms to be heard on critical policy issues will promote regional integration and foster a more peaceful, secure future.
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FAQs
What is the WIn Fellowship’s application timeline?
May 15 – June 15, 2025: Applications open
June 15 – June 30, 2025: Interviewing Process
July 1, 2025: Selected applicants notified
July 15, 2025: Virtual Onboarding Session
August 1, 2025: Start of program
April 2026: Roadshow
May 2026: Graduation Ceremony
Who is eligible to apply for the WIn Fellowship?
The WIn Fellowship is open for Arab women entrepreneurs with startups in their early stages (operating for at least 3 years). Candidates need to be residing in the Arab region, and fluent in English and Arabic.
What are the required components of the application?
Applicants will be asked to provide short essay questions (with a particular focus on their business), a resume, a biography, and a current headshot.
What is the time commitment for the WIn Fellowship?
The nine-month hybrid program will run from September 2025 until May 2026. The program will include virtual learning modules, hybrid events, networking sessions, mentorship sessions, and professional workshops. Fellows should expect to dedicate 6 to 8 hours per month for the program. Top-performing fellows will be selected to attend the US roadshow toward the end of the fellowship, which will include a week of travel.
What criteria will guide the selection process for the applicants?
Fellows will be selected based on the maturity level and scalability vision of their startup, their ability to clearly identify the gaps they are seeking to fill throughout this fellowship, and their ability to demonstrate leadership, ambition, and collaboration among their peers.
How much does the WIn Fellowship cost?
Except for its roadshow, participation in the WIn Fellowship (including the executive education learning modules, mentorship, events and conferences) is free of charge.
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Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East
The Atlantic Council’s work on social, economic and human development issues in the Middle East honors the legacy of Rafik Hariri and his life’s mission to unlock the human and economic potential of the Arab world.
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