Applicants must identify as Black women (including Black African, Black Caribbean, or mixed Black heritage) and work in UK higher education. Applications are open to academic staff, professional services staff, and PhD students with a contract in place until at least December 2027 or who will still be completing their PhD in June 2027.

Yes, all applicants must have the support of their line manager. Academic and professional services applicants must also be endorsed by an Ally who will work with them as part of the programme. Your Ally should be someone at department, faculty, school or division level with the authority to influence workload, priorities and decision-making. Allies are not a part of the PhD experience.

The programme runs from December 2026 to December 2027.

December 2026 - Programme onboarding begins

January 2027 - Programme onboarding meeting and Progression Scorecard completion

February 2027 - Career Reformer (3-day in-person residential workshop) TBC likely 2nd-4th of March or 9th-11th of March

March - May 2027 - 2 x 1:1 coaching calls

June - July 2027 - Mid-programme review

September - November 2027 - 2 x peer group coaching calls

December 2027 - Programme closing dinner

Ongoing - Meetings with your Ally and Sponsor

Successful applicants will be sent onboarding information including calendar invites for key programme dates.

The programme runs over 12 months and includes:

• A three-day in-person residential workshop (Career Reformer).

• Two hours of individual coaching and four hours of group coaching.

• Meetings with your Ally and Sponsor.

• Participation in onboarding, mid-programme reviews, and a closing dinner.

• Engagement with peer networks and sector-wide events.

Yes. Universities register for the programme and cover participation fees. Two nights accommodation and all meals are included in the 3-day residential event (Career Reformer) and your university will confirm whether they are also covering travel costs to the event and an additional night's accommodation if needed.

Interest is always high, but selection isn’t about being “the best.” It’s about readiness to benefit from the programme and commitment to making the most of the opportunity.

All applications will be reviewed on submission. All applicants (regardless of their outcome) will be contacted by WHEN and notified of the status of their application by 30 November 2026. Successful applicants will be sent onboarding information including key programme dates.

Participants join the 100 B alumni network, a growing community of Black women leaders across the sector. Alumni are encouraged to stay engaged, collaborate, and continue influencing systemic change.

For any questions about the programme, please contact the team at team@whenequality.org