The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) has launched the sixth edition of its annual grant program for 2026, inviting eligible organizations to apply for funding aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, amplifying women’s voices, defending rights, and eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Nigeria. This impactful initiative is strategically designed to empower registered local women-led or women-focused NGOs and CBOs operating across all six geopolitical zones of the country. The NWTF grant supports innovative, realistic projects with well-defined target audiences, reaffirming NWTF’s commitment to fostering inclusive, sustainable change nationwide during a focused 4-month implementation period (January–April 2026).
Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Nigeria |
| Study Abroad | N/A (Domestic Grant) |
| Category | Grant (Institutional/Project Funding) |
| Eligible Countries | Nigeria (Local NGOs/CBOs only) |
| Reward | Grant Funding | Mentorship | Institutional Support |
| Key Criteria | Registered local NGO/CBO, gender-focused, 2 years minimum operation, functional systems, innovative proposal |
| Application Deadline | December 12, 2025 |
Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant 2026 Details
The Nigerian Women Trust Fund’s grant program is a critical component of its strategy to empower civil society and accelerate gender equality across Nigeria. By focusing on organizational strengthening and the eradication of gender-based violence (GBV), the NWTF is directly addressing two fundamental barriers to women’s advancement and security.
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The core purpose of the 2026 Grant is to act as a catalyst, providing financial and institutional resources to local organizations that are on the front lines of advocacy and intervention. The goal is to not only fund projects but also to build the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of women-led organizations (WLOs), ensuring their voices are amplified in policy and community discourse. This is particularly vital for organizations working in hard-to-reach communities or those led by and serving Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Institutional Support and Strategic Funding
The NWTF is the central host for this grant, leveraging its expertise to select and support partners who demonstrate clear organizational structures and capacity for effective project implementation. The grant specifically targets institutions already operating in the Nigerian landscape for a minimum of two years.
The comprehensive approach involves supporting projects that:
- Strengthen the institutional effectiveness of WLOs through capacity building and mentorship.
- Promote leadership and inclusion, highlighting women’s positive contributions.
- Drive advocacy for policy reforms and challenge harmful cultural norms.
Benefits and Specific Grant Award Tiers
The NWTF Grant provides a multifaceted award structure that combines essential funding with capacity building and high-level support for long-term impact.
Tier 1: Project Implementation Grant (Financial and Institutional Support)
This tier represents the maximum potential reward for selected organizations, enabling them to execute their proposed projects.
- Value: Direct Grant Funding for innovative and realistic project implementation, covering the 4-month period (January–April 2026).
- Criteria: Granted to organizations with the strongest proposals that directly address GBV eradication and women’s rights, and who meet all mandatory institutional requirements (e.g., two years registration, functional administrative systems).
Tier 2: Institutional and Capacity Strengthening Support
This category focuses on the non-monetary, developmental support necessary for organizational longevity.
- Structured Mentorship from NWTF and affiliated experts to improve governance and operational effectiveness.
- Capacity Building tailored to enhance administrative, financial, and human resource systems.
- Targeted support to promote better understanding and practice of women’s leadership and inclusion.
Tier 3: Advocacy and Visibility Resources
These awards are designed to increase the reach and impact of the organizations’ advocacy efforts.
- Resources to drive high-impact advocacy for crucial policy reforms.
- Support to challenge harmful cultural norms that violate women’s rights.
- Increased visibility for the organization’s work and positive contributions within their communities.
Eligibility Requirements for Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant
To be considered for the NWTF Grant, the applicant organization must strictly meet the following mandatory criteria:
- Study Status (Organizational): Must be a registered local NGO/CBO operating in Nigeria.
- Academic/Leadership: Must be gender-focused, with the majority of staff and board members being female.
- Operational Capacity: Must have been operating for a minimum of 2 years.
- Institutional Structure: Must demonstrate functional administrative, financial, and human resource systems, and clear organizational structures.
- Proposal Quality: Must propose innovative, realistic projects with a well-defined target audience.
Note: Organizations with proposals related to political parties, campaigns, government agencies, scholarships, for-profit ventures, or religious conversion are strictly ineligible.
How to Apply for Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant 2026 (Step by Step)
The application process requires careful preparation and submission of specific documentation via email.
- Visit NWTF Webpage: Click the application button/link to go to the official NWTF webpage.
- Download Documents: Download all mandatory proposal templates and guidance documents provided on the NWTF webpage.
- Complete Proposal: Complete the full proposal package, ensuring it adheres to the template guidelines and clearly details your innovative project, target audience, and organizational capacity.
- Submit via Email: Submit your completed application package via email to the designated address: grants@womenfund.org.
Application Deadline: December 12, 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the specific goal of the NWTF Grant Programme?
The goal is to strengthen women-led organizations and fund interventions aimed at eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) and advancing women’s leadership and rights across Nigeria.
Which types of organizations are eligible to apply for the grant?
The grant is specifically for registered local NGOs or CBOs (Non-Governmental Organizations/Community-Based Organizations) that are operating within Nigeria.
Is there a requirement regarding the gender composition of the organization?
Yes, the organization must be gender-focused, meaning the majority of its staff and board members must be female.
What is the minimum duration an organization must have been operating to qualify?
Applicant organizations must have been registered and operating in Nigeria for a minimum period of two (2) years prior to the application deadline.
Can an organization use the grant for political campaigns or profit ventures?
No, the NWTF explicitly states that proposals related to political parties, campaigns, government agencies, for-profit ventures, or religious conversion will not be considered.
What is the total duration of the projects funded by this grant?
The projects supported by the 2026 grant have a specific and firm implementation period of four (4) months, running from January to April 2026.
Does the grant provide only financial support, or does it include other benefits?
It provides multifaceted support, including grant funding, as well as mentorship, capacity building, and institutional support to strengthen the organization’s long-term effectiveness.
How should the completed application documents be submitted?
All applications, including the downloaded proposal templates and guidance documents, must be submitted via email to the address: grants@womenfund.org.
What are the application requirements concerning organizational structure?
Organizations must demonstrate they possess functional administrative, financial, and human resource systems, along with clear organizational structures, to ensure effective project implementation.
When is the final deadline to submit the grant application?
The final deadline for submitting the application package to the Nigerian Women Trust Fund is December 12, 2025.
