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AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship 2026-2028

The AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship is a two-year non-residential program strengthening African women scientists' capability to lead climate-responsive agricultural research. The second cohort application is open until November 6, 2026.

September 17, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Nov 6, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountryKenya (program activities in multiple African countries)
University/OrgAfrican Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD)
Degree LevelShort Course, Fellowship
Funding TypeFully Funded
Fields of StudyAgricultural Research, Agrifood Systems, Climate-Responsive Agriculture, Gender in Agriculture
DeadlineNovember 6, 2026

Scholarship Overview

Overview

The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship is a prestigious two-year non-residential program designed to strengthen the capability, confidence, and influence of African women scientists. The fellowship specifically targets mid-career women working in agricultural research and agrifood systems who seek to advance into strategic leadership roles.

The program is funded under the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, delivered by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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What the Fellowship Covers

Selected fellows participate in comprehensive professional development activities including:

  • A mentoring program where fellows are matched with both a mentor and a mentee
  • Training courses on leadership and negotiation skills
  • Gender integration in climate adaptation training
  • Science communication workshops
  • Research proposal writing courses
  • A five-day Women’s Leadership and Negotiation Skills Course (the inaugural cohort commenced with this in Dakar, Senegal in July 2026)

The fellowship is non-residential, allowing participants to continue their professional work while engaging in program activities.

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Eligibility Requirements

The fellowship targets mid-career African women agricultural scientists from specific countries. To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be a woman citizen of Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, or Senegal
  • Hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant discipline
  • Have a minimum of seven years of work experience in agriculture and agrifood systems
  • Work in national agricultural research institutions, government ministries, universities, or international research organizations
  • Demonstrate commitment to gender in agriculture research and programming

Note for Zimbabwe/SADC applicants: This fellowship is currently limited to the six countries listed above. Zimbabwean and other SADC nationals are not eligible unless they are citizens of and working in Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, or Senegal.

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Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the online portal. The process involves:

  1. Access the appropriate application portal based on language preference (English or French)
  2. Complete all required application sections
  3. Submit supporting documentation demonstrating qualifications and experience
  4. Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts who make final selections based on demonstrated qualities sought by the program

Applications are strictly via the online portal and will not be accepted after the deadline.

Important Dates

  • Application opens: September 11, 2026
  • Information webinar: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 15:00 EAT (registration required)
  • Application deadline: November 6, 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time (GMT+3)

Accessibility Support

AWARD is committed to inclusive participation. Persons living with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to remove barriers in the application process should email T.Wangaya[at]landscapealliance.org to request accommodations.

Program Impact and Network

The inaugural cohort of 50 fellows from 31 institutions began their fellowship journey in July 2026. Fellows work across diverse disciplines and join a growing network of experienced African women in agricultural research. As noted by inaugural fellow Latifa Seroukh from Morocco, the fellowship offers “an opportunity to join a network of experienced African women, become part of a community, and move from technical expertise towards strategic leadership.”

Resources Available

Prospective applicants can access:

  • Fellowship brochure (English and French)
  • Frequently asked questions document (English and French)
  • Video featuring selected fellows’ aspirations
  • Information webinar recording (after October 7, 2026)

Contact Information

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD)
Hosted by World Agroforestry Centre, United Nations Avenue, Gigiri
P.O. Box 30677-00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +254 (0) 20 722 4242

Funding Coverage

Fully funded professional development including mentoring, leadership training, negotiation skills courses, gender integration training, science communication workshops, and research proposal writing support. Non-residential format with in-person components.

Eligibility Criteria

Mid-career African women agricultural scientists who are citizens of Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, or Senegal; minimum master's degree; minimum 7 years work experience in agriculture/agrifood systems; employed in national research institutions, government ministries, universities, or international research organizations

Required Documents

Not specified in source materials; applicants should consult the fellowship brochure and FAQ documents for required documentation

Application Process

1) Review eligibility criteria and fellowship brochure, 2) Register for information webinar (optional, October 7, 2026), 3) Access online application portal (English or French), 4) Complete application demonstrating leadership potential and commitment to climate-responsive agricultural research, 5) Submit before deadline
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. This fellowship is currently restricted to citizens of Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Senegal who are working in those countries. Zimbabwean and other SADC nationals are not eligible unless they hold citizenship of and are employed in one of the six eligible countries.
This is a professional development fellowship, not an academic degree program. It is a two-year non-residential program providing mentoring, leadership training, and skills development. The source materials do not specify whether a certificate is awarded upon completion.
The fellowship is non-residential, meaning you continue working in your current position while participating in program activities. The inaugural cohort began with a five-day in-person course in Dakar, Senegal, followed by ongoing mentoring and training activities that fit around your professional commitments.
Applications will NOT be accepted after November 6, 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time (GMT+3). There are no exceptions to this deadline. You would need to wait for a future cohort to be announced.
The inaugural cohort selected 50 fellows from 31 institutions. Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts who make final selections based on applicants' ability to demonstrate the qualities sought by the program, including leadership potential and commitment to climate-responsive agricultural research.
The fellowship is fully funded under the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture. There is no application fee or participation cost mentioned in the source materials. Travel and accommodation for required in-person components are covered.

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