African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural African Women in Data Science Fellowship. This timely initiative responds to the growing demand for data-driven leadership to tackle the pressing challenges of food insecurity and climate change across Africa. We invite ambitious African women with foundational experience in data-related work and a strong motivation to deepen their skills and apply data science for transformative impact in agrifood systems and climate resilience.

The Fellowship aims to enhance the leadership and technical capabilities of African women professionals utilizing data science to foster inclusive, evidence-based innovation in agrifood systems and climate resilience. Building on AWARD’s proven track record in cultivating African women leaders in agricultural research and development, the program adapts our Fellowship model to meet the demands of an evolving data and technology landscape.

The program targets African women from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Malawi with demonstrated experience in data-related roles and a commitment to applying data for development. Fellows will be drawn from diverse sectors, including government, academia, research, civil society, development agencies, and the private sector.

A Transformative Learning Experience

Inspired by the AWARD Fellowship model, the African Women in Data Science Fellowship offers a rigorous 12-month career-accelerating journey for African women working at the intersection of data science, agriculture, and climate resilience.

As a Fellow, you will engage in the following core activities:

• Participate in a 7-day, face-to-face women’s leadership course designed to strengthen your confidence, influence, and capacity to lead data-driven solutions (November 2025).
• Join a 2-week immersive in-person data science training course covering Python programming, machine learning, data wrangling, visualization, and statistical analysis (February 2026).
• Complete a 2-month virtual course focused on the application of data science tools to real-world challenges in agrifood systems and climate resilience (April – May 2026).
• Design and implement a data-driven capstone project addressing a practical issue in agriculture or climate. You will receive modest seed funding and technical guidance for project execution (February – September 2026).
• Undertake a competitive short-term institutional placement (1–3 months), known as Advanced Science Training (AST), within your home country. This placement provides an opportunity to apply your skills in a real-world setting and further deepen your technical expertise (May – September 2026).
• Receive ongoing guidance from senior data science professionals through structured mentoring relationships, including orientation, check-ins, and goal setting (March – November 2026).
• Participate in knowledge-sharing sessions, storytelling activities, and professional engagement opportunities through AWARD’s network (Throughout the fellowship).

By the end of the Fellowship, participants will be better equipped to lead data-driven initiatives, advocate for inclusive innovation, and serve as visible role models in Africa’s growing data science and development ecosystem.

Application Deadline: July 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time (GMT+3). applications will NOT be accepted after this deadline.

Applicants should carefully read the application guidelines for more information on eligibility criteria and the application process.

• Download the Application Guidelines

• Download the Fellowship brochure

• Download the Frequently Asked Questions

Apply Here