About this opportunity
The Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship exists because women remain underrepresented in the leadership roles that shape agricultural research, and that gap slows progress on climate adaptation and food security. AWARD’s answer is a two year, non-residential fellowship designed to move accomplished technical women into strategic leadership.
The second cohort is open for applications until November 06, 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time, which is GMT plus 3. Applications are strictly via the online portal and are not accepted after that date. An information webinar for potential applicants runs on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 1500hrs EAT, and AWARD publishes a fellowship brochure and a set of frequently asked questions in English and French.
The program is aimed at mid-career African women agricultural scientists working in national agricultural research institutions, government ministries, universities and international research organizations in Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Senegal. Eligible applicants hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant discipline and have a minimum of seven years of work experience in agriculture and agrifood systems, more broadly including gender in agriculture research and programming.
Successful fellows join a program whose first cohort of 50 fellows, drawn from 31 institutions, began in July 2026 with a five day Women’s Leadership and Negotiation Skills Course in Dakar, Senegal. Fellows are matched with a mentor and a mentee and take training courses on leadership and negotiation skills, gender integration in climate adaptation, science communication and research proposal writing. The program is an AWARD initiative funded under the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, delivered by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
What you receive
- A two year non-residential fellowship that lets you keep your current position while you build leadership capacity
- Highly interactive training on leadership and negotiation skills
- Training on gender integration in climate adaptation, science communication and research proposal writing
- A mentoring program where each fellow is matched with a mentor and a mentee
- One-to-one coaching alongside the group sessions
- Join a cohort that includes the inaugural 50 fellows drawn from 31 institutions across the program countries
- A network of experienced African women in agricultural research and development
Who can apply
- Be a woman working in science and agriculture
- Hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university
- Have a minimum of seven years of work experience in agriculture and agrifood systems, more broadly including gender in agriculture research and programming
- Be currently actively engaged in agriculture-related professional work
- Work in a national agricultural research institution, government ministry, university or international research organization in Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone or Senegal
- Be resident in Africa
- Demonstrate commitment to growth, articulate your career goals clearly, and show your ability to take on leadership responsibility
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to nominate at least one mentor from their current institution or organisation
Who should not apply
- Applications submitted after November 06, 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time are not accepted
- You must not already be a Fellow or Laureate of another fellowship offered by AWARD
Documents to prepare
- Your personal details, date of birth, country of nationality and country of residence in Africa
- Details of your highest academic degree, including the discipline and the year obtained
- Your current position and a description of your leadership level
- A list of any awards or recognitions received over the past seven years, with title, awarding institution, country and year
- A record of any leadership training you have attended
- A list of all fellowships you have participated in and scholarships you have received over the last seven years
- The names and details of the mentor and mentee you propose, since applicants are strongly encouraged to nominate at least one mentor from their own institution
- Read the application guidelines linked at the top of the application form before you complete it
How to apply
- Read the call on the AWARD news page for the second cohort of the Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship, and download the fellowship brochure and FAQs in English or French.
- Attend the information webinar on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 1500hrs EAT if you want to hear the program explained first.
- Open the English application form linked as the official application link, or the French form if you apply in French.
- Read the application guidelines at the top of the form before filling it in.
- Complete every section, including your degree details, current position, leadership level, awards, leadership training, fellowships and scholarships.
- Nominate at least one mentor from your current institution or organisation, which AWARD strongly encourages to strengthen institutional alignment and sustainability of impact.
- Submit before November 06, 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time. Applications are not accepted after this date.
- If you live with a disability and need reasonable adjustments to take part in the application process, email T.Wangaya[at]landscapealliance.org.
Selection process
- Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts.
- The panel makes the final selection based on each applicant’s ability to demonstrate the qualities sought by the program.
- Successful applicants join the second cohort and begin with the program’s leadership and negotiation training and mentoring pairings.
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Who is this fellowship for?
Mid-career African women agricultural scientists working in national agricultural research institutions, government ministries, universities and international research organizations in Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Senegal.
What qualifications do I need?
At least a master’s degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum of seven years of work experience in agriculture and agrifood systems, more broadly including gender in agriculture research and programming.
Do I have to leave my job?
No. This is a two year non-residential fellowship designed to strengthen your capability, confidence and influence while you continue your current work.
When is the deadline?
November 06, 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time, which is GMT plus 3. AWARD states that applications will not be accepted after this date.
Can I apply in French?
Yes. AWARD publishes the call, the fellowship brochure and the FAQs in both English and French, and provides a separate French application form.
What does the fellowship actually involve?
Highly interactive training on leadership, negotiation skills, gender integration in climate adaptation, science communication and research proposal writing, one-to-one coaching, and a mentoring program where you are matched with both a mentor and a mentee.
I need adjustments to apply because of a disability. What do I do?
The fellowship is committed to disability inclusion and equitable participation for all applicants. Email T.Wangaya[at]landscapealliance.org to request reasonable adjustments to remove barriers in the application process.
Important disclaimer
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