Call for Research Fellows : Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Climate Resilience Solutions in Africa Project

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Closing Date: 30 June 2025

Call for Research Fellows: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Climate Resilience Solutions in Africa Project

Background and Context

Climate change poses an existential threat to Africa’s sustainable development. Its impacts, ranging from increasingly frequent extreme weather events to shifting disease vectors and degraded ecosystems, are growing more complex and interconnected. Addressing these challenges requires innovative, interdisciplinary approaches that harness emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).

AI has become a critical tool in developing and implementing climate resilience strategies. It supports the creation of models, forecasts, and decision-making systems essential for understanding, predicting, and mitigating climate risks. By strengthening climate information systems and enhancing predictive capabilities, AI enables more effective resilience planning.

However, several challenges hinder AI’s potential in climate resilience, primarily:

Limited training opportunities in AI-related Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines within Africa.
Persistent gender disparities, with women significantly underrepresented in AI academia and the workforce.

Call for Research Fellows

Closing this capacity gap is crucial, particularly for early-career researchers and policymakers who shape climate action across Africa. Governments and stakeholders also struggle to adopt inclusive reporting frameworks for climate action. Strengthening AI expertise would enhance Africa’s ability to build resilience and support evidence-based climate reporting.

The Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Climate Resilience Solutions in Africa project, spearheaded by the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN) in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and other ARUA centers and funded by the International Development Research Centre(IDRC), aims to explore AI’s role in fostering climate-resilient systems in Africa. The project seeks to:

Build a strong AI foundation within academic and policy spaces.
Institutionalize action-oriented capacity-building among early-career researchers and policymakers.
Enhance women’s participation in AI-driven climate action.
Engage stakeholders from academia, government, civil society, and the private sector toco-produce evidence, knowledge, and policy recommendations.

Rationale for the Research Fellowship Program

To support capacity-building and research collaboration, the project is launching a Research Fellowship Program for early to mid-career researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. This initiative aims to nurture a new generation of African scholars and innovators working at the intersection of AI and climate resilience.

Through the fellowship, selected individuals will conduct applied research or policy-oriented projects, actively participate in project activities, and contribute to knowledge co-creation. They will also strengthen South-South collaboration and interdisciplinary learning while amplifying African perspectives in global AI and climate discussions.

Objectives of the Fellowship Program

The fellowship program seeks to:

Deepen understanding of AI’s application in climate resilience across diverse African contexts.
Strengthen early-career researchers’ capacity to apply mathematical sciences and AI for climate action.
Build a network of African researchers and policymakers skilled in AI and climate resilience.
Foster institutional partnerships for AI-driven climate solutions.
Produce case studies, policy briefs, and knowledge resources that inform policy and practice.
Provide a platform for research dissemination through ARIN, the University of Nairobi, and IDRC-supported forums.

Fellowship Structure

E-Learning Approach: Fellows will undergo a mandatory three-month e-learning program anchored at the University of Nairobi’s Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation (ICCA). The e-learning modules will cover AI fundamentals for climate resilience, allowing participants to tailor their focus areas. Fellows who complete the program will receive certificates and internship opportunities.
Writing and Publishing Sessions: Fellows will participate in virtual workshops and seminars with mentors from ARIN, the University of Nairobi, and Taylor & Francis to refine their research communication, academic writing, and policy writing. Selected work will be published inreputable journals through ARIN’s collaboration with Taylor & Francis.
Mentorship and Exchange Program: Over six to eight weeks, fellows will engage instructured mentorship, connecting with researchers, policymakers, and sustainability leaders from collaborating institutions. This program integrates hands-on project execution with learning experiences, fostering sustainable partnerships within Africa and beyond.
Monthly Webinars and Case study Simulations: . Interactive webinars and simulations will enable fellows to apply AI and climate policy knowledge to real-world scenarios, enhancing their problem-solving and decision-making skills.
AI for Climate Resilience Academy: Top-performing fellows will be selected as AI for Climate Resilience Champions and awarded scholarships for an intensive two-week in-person training. This academy will offer advanced modules, peer learning, and leadership development. Champions will also receive tailored support to apply AI solutions to climate challenges across the Global South, while fostering communities of practice and policy influence.
Small Grants and Case Studies on AI for Climate Resilience: AI Champions will be eligible for mini-grants to conduct innovative case studies in varied African settings. These fellows will have opportunities to present their findings at global forums, such as Africa Climate Week and COP30, and contribute to high-level climate science panels and pre-events. Results and best practices from the studies will be compiled into a publication (book or special issue) to be launched at a flagship event.

Thematic Areas

Fellows will be hosted within the ARIN network or partner institutions and supported to undertake research or policy-oriented projects aligned with the following thematic areas:

AI for early warning systems and disaster risk reduction
AI in climate-smart agriculture and food systems
Nature-based solutions and AI-enabled ecosystem monitoring iv. AI and urban resilience (e.g., heat islands, air quality)
Governance and ethics of AI in climate decision-making
Gender, youth, and inclusivity in AI-climate solutions
Capacity needs and policy pathways for AI uptake in climate sectors

In addition to academic research, the fellowship will support policy-oriented projects that explore AI’s role in climate governance, planning, or service delivery, particularly in areas such as:

Designing regulatory or ethical frameworks for AI in climate data management
Piloting AI applications in national or subnational climate adaptation programs
Integrating AI into national climate change strategies, policies, or monitoring systems

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to postgraduate students, researchers, and policymakers working in relevant fields. The first phase aims to recruit 100 fellows, who will undergo e-learning before a selected number advance to in-person training, small grant opportunities, and internships.

Expected Outputs

Fellows are expected to produce:

A research report or peer-reviewed publication.
One policy brief or blog post summarizing findings.
Participation in at least one regional workshop or knowledge dissemination forum.