If you are a woman passionate about advancing your career in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) and are based in Sub-Saharan Africa, the 2025 AI4D Scholarship is a golden opportunity for you. This scholarship aims to support doctoral and early career research in AI and ML, empowering women to contribute to the field and address key societal challenges.
AI4D Scholarship Summary
Location: Sub-Saharan Africa
Host Institution: African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
Academic Level: Doctoral and Early Career Research
Areas of Focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Target Group: Women candidates from Sub-Saharan Africa
Award Value and Funding: Up to $28,000 for PhD students and up to $41,500 for Early Career Academics
Award Duration: 24 months
Application Deadline: 14 March 2025
Start Date: Eligible from 14 January 2025
AI4D Scholarship Overview
The AI4D Scholarship is designed to enhance doctoral and early career research in AI and ML by women candidates in Sub-Saharan Africa. The program is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It aims to support PhD students and early career academics whose research addresses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Scholarship Categories
PhD Students: The scholarship targets women who are already registered for a PhD, have completed their coursework, and have had their research proposals approved. The scholarship will cover tuition fees and research activities for two years.
Early Career Academics (ECAs): This category targets women who have held a PhD in AI and ML for not more than five years. The scholarship will cover research costs, research infrastructure, travel costs, and tuition fees for two MSc students for two years.
What to Expect
Mentorship: Scholars will receive mentorship in responsible AI solutions and data collection frameworks.
Conferences and Workshops: Scholars will participate in regional research and development conferences, annual workshops, and quarterly seminars.
Networking: Opportunities for collaborative learning and networking with other scholars and AI innovation hubs across the continent.
AI4D Scholarship Benefits
Financial Assistance: Scholarships cover project expenses, tuition fees, books, and other academic expenses with up to $28,000 for PhD students and up to $41,500 for Early Career Academics
Accessibility Support: Scholars will have access to AI ethics toolkits to guide the responsible development of AI solutions.
Mentorship and Ethics: Each scholar will be paired with a mentor specializing in responsible scaling of AI solutions.
Collaborative Learning and Networking: Efforts to enable cross-learning and networking among scholars and AI innovation hubs.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for AI4D Scholarship Enhancing Doctoral and Early Career Research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Sub-Saharan Africa by Women Candidates must:
For PhD Students:
Must be a woman.
Already registered in an AI study under a supervisor, with coursework completed and research proposal approved.
Competent academic credentials and commitment to an academic career.
Thorough knowledge of the language of instruction within their host university.
Nationals or permanent residents of an eligible sub-Saharan country.
Necessary national or other approvals to conduct the proposed research.
Technical capacity to create sustainable AI solutions addressing social challenges.
For Early Career Academics (ECAs):
Must be a woman.
Held a PhD in AI and ML for not more than five years.
Competent academic credentials and commitment to an academic career.
Nationals or permanent residents of an eligible sub-Saharan country.
Necessary national or other approvals to conduct the proposed research.
Technical capacity to create sustainable AI solutions addressing social challenges.
ℹ️ Eligible Countries
A list of eligible countries can be found here
Application Procedure
Visit the scholarship page and follow the application instructions for the relevant category.
Submit the application by the deadline.
📂 Documents Required:
Letter of support from the supervisor.
Copy of the PhD study admission letter.
Evidence of approval of the research proposal.
Proof of competent academic credentials.
Proof of national or permanent residency in an eligible sub-Saharan country.
Necessary national or other approvals to conduct the proposed research.
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