The Equity Initiative Opens Applications for its 2027–2028 Fellowship Programme
Note: This article is shared by SEA DREAM to promote an opportunity from one of our regional partners. The Equity Initiative Fellowship is administered by the Equity Initiative. All application processes, eligibility requirements, and enquiries should be directed to the Equity Initiative.
Applications are now open for the 2027–2028 Equity Initiative Fellowship, CMB Foundation's flagship regional programme dedicated to advancing health equity in Southeast Asia and China. Also known as the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity in Southeast Asia (AFHESEA), the fellowship brings together outstanding professionals from diverse sectors committed to leading change for health equity, designed not only as a leadership development program but as a lifelong journey of learning, connection, and collective action.
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Equity Initiative is welcoming applications for its 11th cohort. The program is fully funded and includes six weeks of in-person learning events combined with blended online engagement.
Important: Applicants do not need to work in the health sector. The programme welcomes professionals from a wide range of fields who demonstrate a commitment to the broad concept of health equity.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Have a track record of demonstrated leadership and commitment to equity and social justice
- Have at least six years of professional working experience in health, social development, governance and law, environmental justice, or other relevant fields
- Be a resident citizen of one of the Southeast Asian countries or China.
- Be proficient in spoken and written English
Key dates
The fellowship application timeline includes:
- 1 August 2026 – Step 1 applications close
- 31 August 2026 – Full applications close
- December 2026 – Finalists notified
Apply
Applications can be submitted through the Equity Initiative Fellowship website: https://www.equityinitiative.org/fellowship-program
Prospective applicants can also learn more by reading the Fellowship Prospectus and Fellows Profiles.
For inquiries, please contact info@equityinitiative.org.
To stay updated on the programme and its community, follow the Equity Initiative on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Article and Resources
Interesting Articles
A Shared DREAM: Advancing Health Equity in Southeast Asia
Health equity is the central lens that guides all areas of the SEA DREAM programme, shaping how research priorities are identified, how questions are framed, and how evidence is generated and applied.
SEA DREAM Presents at CPRN 2025
At the 8th SEAMEO Centres Policy Research Network (CPRN) Summit held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, SEAMEO VOCTECH brought together regional experts to discuss how health research can inform policy, strengthen collaboration, and build trust in science-led solutions.
An Enduring Epidemic: Infectious Disease in Southeast Asia
Infectious diseases remain a major health and development challenge in Southeast Asia. The burden of communicable diseases is disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with mortality rates and years of life lost from infectious diseases roughly ten times higher than in high-income countries (Pagès et al., 2018).
Singapore-Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF) to Support SEA DREAM Research Consortia
Announcing the Singapore-Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF), supported by NRF Singapore and A*STAR, offering up to two years of funded research mobility for PhD researchers within SEA DREAM consortia.
SEA DREAM Pre-Launches DREAM 4 Health Call for Proposals 2026 at MIH Megatrends Conference
The SEA DREAM Programme introduced its upcoming DREAM 4 Health Call for Proposals 2026 at a pre-launch event on 26 November 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, held alongside the 2nd Malaysia International Health Megatrends Conference.
TSRI, BRIN, and DOST-PCHRD Explore Potential Shared Health Research Priorities
Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines convened on 24 October 2025 at the Chatrium Grand Bangkok for the ASEAN Health Priorities Workshop, marking early exploratory step toward establishing a shared medical research agenda for Southeast Asia.
Preliminary Application Templates and Assessment Questions Now Available
SEA DREAM has uploaded new resources to support applicants preparing their Preliminary Application. The Preliminary Application and Budget templates provided on the website are intended to help applicants organize their information internally
Press Release: Launching of DREAM 4 Health Call for Proposal 2026
SEAMEO launches SEA DREAM – a regionally-led $52m research funding programme in partnership with the UK – and opens its first call for proposals to tackle Southeast Asia's most urgent health challenges and strengthen regional research talent.
A Silent Emergency: Understanding Mental Health in Southeast Asia
Mental health conditions are among the leading contributors to disability worldwide, with depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety driving substantial losses in healthy life years (World Health Organization, 2024).
SEA DREAM Policies Now Available
Review the SEA DREAM Documents and Policies that form part of the DREAM 4 Health Grant Conditions and outline the requirements, responsibilities, and standards for applicants and future grant recipients.
What is the Hub-and-Spoke Model?
The hub-and-spoke model is a network structure that centralizes core functions in a lead institution while extending participation and impact through a network of partner organizations.
SEA DREAM Grant Conditions and Agreement Template Now Available
Review SEA DREAM’s Grant Conditions and Agreement Template to understand the terms, responsibilities, and requirements that apply to SEA DREAM-funded grants.
Get In Touch
Subscribe To
Our Newsletter
Stay up to date with our latest funding,
news, events, and announcements.