2026 Leadership Development Program for Regulators

APPLICATION FORM

Click here for more information about the program.

Our program requires a pair to attend the program, made up of a senior official and a high-potential woman leader*. The senior official must complete this application. Once accepted, the senior official will confirm their accompanying high-potential woman leader*.

Senior official applicant eligibility:

You must be a senior official from a central bank, regulatory institution, supervisory institution, ministry (such as inclusion, women, telecommunications, or other), or other government entity in an emerging market.

Program commitment:

Senior officials and selected high-potential women leaders* must:

Commit to the program dates from May 2026 through September 2026, including all virtual touchpoints and travel to the UK for an in-person week of coursework in Oxford, UK. The virtual component of the program is estimated to take approximately 6 hours per week. The in-person (Oxford) component of the program includes 8 hours of classroom learning per day.
Develop and implement a gender-inclusive policy or initiative.
Be proficient in written and spoken English.

Program Cost: USD 8,000 per pair

This subsidized program fee includes participation for a team of two participants (senior official and high-potential woman leader*) from your institution and covers tuition and course materials, executive coaching for senior officials, expert advisory, and engagement in all peer activities. It also includes accommodation and most meals for the in-person week at Oxford, UK.

Participants must cover all travel and incidental expenses associated with travel to and from Oxford, UK. These expenses may include flights, ground transportation, visas, insurance, some meals, additional room nights, etc.

Limited scholarships are available, and scholarship decisions will be made in November 2025. If your participation necessitates a scholarship, please email leadershipprograms@womensworldbanking.org with subject “Scholarship Request – YOUR NAME.”

Instructions for completing this application:

The application must be completed by a senior official requesting admission to the program. Your application will include the name of the high-potential woman leader* to accompany you (to be confirmed following acceptance into the program). Only completed applications will be considered, but you are permitted to answer "Not Applicable" when a question does not apply to you.
The application should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
You will receive an automated email confirming receipt of your application. Please save this email for your records.
If you have any questions, email us at: leadershipprograms@womensworldbanking.org

1. Participant Information

Salutation

Gender

First (Given) Name

Last (Sur) Name

Job Title or Position

Division or Department

Business Phone

Mobile

Name of Assistant

Assistant Email

2. Institutional Information

1. Institution Name

2. Country

Type of organization

If you have selected "Other", please specify

Please describe the type of monitoring and financial regulation oversight your institution performs

What steps will you need to take to secure budget authorization from your department or institution to cover the tuition and cost of travel?

What is the contact information for the person or department to which we should send the tuition invoice? We will cc you when we send this invoice.

Is your institution a member of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI)?

YesNo

3. Institutional Commitment to Women's Financial Inclusion and Women’s Leadership

My institution (please select one):

Is interested in, but not currently focused on women's financial inclusionHas some, but limited, policies that support women's financial inclusion and/or women's leadershipIs committed to and currently has a strong focus on women's financial inclusion

Gender diversity at all levels (staff, management, board) is an issue that my institution (please select one):

Does not currently focus onIs interested in doing more onCurrently considers a strategic priority

4. Professional Priorities

Briefly describe your role and responsibility

Who do you report to? Name

Job title of the person you report to

Number of people reporting directly to you

How many people are working in the department or division over which you have oversight?

What project or initiative has been your biggest success in this role?

Please list the top 2 priorities for your professional development in the next 1-2 years

How will attending the program contribute to your development as a leader?

5. Criteria for Selection of a High-Potential Woman Leader*

Each senior official is required to nominate one high-potential woman leader* from their organization to attend the Program. The senior official also commits to a minimum one-year sponsorship relationship with her or his nominee.

Eligibility criteria for your selected high-potential woman* leader:

Mid-level professional (5-10 years of experience)
Regarded as “high potential” and is a key contributor to the institution
Capable of being promoted to the next level of leadership or broadening their role significantly
Has demonstrated the ability to lead people in the organization
Motivated to take on new leadership challenges and opportunities
People managers preferred but not required
English proficiency
Able to work with the senior official participant from their institution on the Women’s Financial Inclusion Initiative

Woman Leader (First Name, Last Name & Title)

Woman Leader Email (We will only reach out to her once the senior official has been accepted into the program)

How did you hear about the Leadership Development Program for Regulators?

If you answered "Referral" or "Staff Member" above, please provide their name:

If you answered "other" above, please explain:

Have you attended any similar programs?

Acceptance:

Our admissions committee will review your application on a rolling basis and will inform you of your application’s status as soon as possible. We will update you at the contact details you provided above. We will not invoice your institution or reach out to the high-potential leader listed above until you confirm your place in the program.

Cancellation Policy:

Upon accepting your application, Women’s World Banking will issue an invoice. A deposit of $2,000 to secure your place is due by December 1, 2025 to retain your place. The balance of the tuition is due by February 1, 2026.

Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 45 days prior to the start of the program.

By submitting my application, I agree to the following:

I will apply for a UK visa and begin seeking travel authorization from my institution immediately upon acceptanceI will identify a high-potential woman* leader to join me in the programI commit to providing mentorship and career sponsorship to my selected high-potential woman leaderI will advance a gender-inclusive policy during and following my participation in the programI will report back on steps taken and progress towards our policy initiative to Women's World Banking following completion of the programI will commit to achieving 80% attendance at the online sessions and deliver a capstone policy presentation to be considered a graduate of the program (To gain Said Business School Alumni status you must attend the in-person element of the course).

*Consistent with our values, the LDR program is inclusive. Senior officials and high-potential leaders of all genders are eligible to apply.