Investing in high potential African women in agricultural sciences under the age of 35 years

 September 9, 2025 — The call for applications to the 2026 Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences is now open.

The program funded by The Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY) and implemented by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) seeks to build a pool of capable, confident, influential young women scientists equipped to excel in agricultural sciences, thrive in leadership roles, and champion gender integration in agriculture.

The competitively selected successful applicants will benefit from a range of opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills; enhance capacities to effectively communicate their work to diverse audiences; and amplify their visibility and networking skills. It is envisaged that the program will equip them to overcome institutionalized barriers to women’s career progression and motivate them to stay in agricultural science careers. It will increase their awareness of the importance of gender integration in agricultural sciences and the need to champion gender equality in agricultural professions.

Mentees will be drawn from diverse biophysical and social science agriculture disciplines and organizations, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia, research organizations, civil society, and the private sector, among others.

In this call, the leadership program is targeting applications from the following sub-Saharan African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia.

The initiative seeks to invest in up to 40 competitively selected African women under 35 years of age and their mentors. Selected candidates will participate in an intensive, non-residential career transformative program spanning nine months. They will be equipped in a range of areas, including:

• Effective leadership styles
• How to define their career path and leverage networks to advance their careers
• How to develop personal brands to build confidence in pitching their research ideas to potential funding agencies and collaborators
• The necessary tools and skills to successfully manage teams, navigate organizational dynamics, build alliances, and take risks
• How to navigate gender dynamics and apply proven strategies to be effective negotiators and problem solvers.

Participants will receive a certificate of completion upon successful completion of the program.

The call for applications closes at midnight on October 15, 2025, East Africa Time (GMT+3). Applications will NOT be accepted after this date.

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

Download the application guidelines

Download the frequently asked questions

Application for the Fellowship is via an online registration form.

Apply here

For more information about AWARD, the programs, and training, visit our website: www.awardfellowships.org