The Call for Applications to the 2026 AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences is now open!

Ednah Carrick September 15, 2025

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Closing Date: 15 October 2025

The Call for Applications to the 2026 AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences is now open!

Applications for the 2026 AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences is now open and aims at Investing in high potential African women in agricultural sciences under the age of 35 years

About AWARD

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) envisions transformative change toward gender-responsive solutions that will catalyze lasting impact for equitable agri-food systems for women and men smallholders. AWARD is investing in women’s leadership to foster equality in AR4D, equipping AR4D professionals to integrate gender in their work, strengthening institutions to adopt gender-responsive policies and practices, and impacting the enabling environment to enhance gender responsiveness

Program Overview

The AWARD Leadership 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 program offered exclusively via virtual platforms is a non-residential career transformative program spanning nine-months.

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.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this Leadership Program, applicants must meet all the eligibility criteria outlined below:

Aged 35 years or younger at the time of application
Have at least a bachelors degree or equivalent in any agricultural science
discipline from a recognized university
Have at least five years agricultural sector experience
Be a citizen of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia
Reside in Africa and be currently actively engaged in agriculture-related professional work
Not a Fellow or Laureate of any other Fellowships offered by AWARD

Program Benefits

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.