AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences 2025–2026
- Omran Aburayya
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you are a young African woman passionate about agricultural sciences and eager to grow into a leader capable of shaping the future of food systems across Africa, then this opportunity is for you. Applications are now open for the AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences 2025–2026. This nine-month, career-transformative program empowers emerging women scientists to enhance their leadership, mentoring, and gender-integration skills while contributing to the transformation of Africa’s agriculture. Read on for details.
🌍 Program Summary
Location: Virtual (non-residential, online-based program)
Sponsor: African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), hosted by World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Kenya
Type: Professional leadership program (not a degree program)
Target Group: Young African women agricultural scientists under 35 years
Fields of Focus: Agricultural sciences, leadership, gender integration in agrifood systems
Value & Coverage: Training, mentorship, masterclasses, and networking provided at no cost (no stipends or allowances)
Award Duration: 9 months (January – September 2026)
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025, 23:59 hrs EAT
Program Start Date: January 2026
Eligible To: Women agricultural scientists from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia, residing in Africa
🧭 Program Overview
The AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences is designed to:
Build a pool of capable, confident, and influential young women scientists.
Equip participants with leadership, mentoring, communication, and personal branding skills.
Promote gender integration into agricultural science research and policy.
Foster peer learning, role-modeling, and networking across Africa.
The program is virtual and flexible, allowing participants to continue with their jobs or academic programs while engaging in scheduled sessions.
🧩 Structure & Activities
Over the course of nine months, participants will engage in:
Virtual Training Workshops and Masterclasses
Leadership and mentoring strategies
Effective communication and personal branding
Gender integration in agricultural sciences
Mentorship
Monthly one-on-one mentorship sessions with senior professionals matched to mentees’ expertise and career goals.
Peer Engagement & Networking
Peer-to-peer support, shared learning, and documentation of lessons.
Knowledge-Sharing & Role Modeling
Each participant is expected to carry out at least one activity to inspire and mentor younger women in agricultural sciences.
Sessions are typically held twice a week for 2.5 hours each, in addition to monthly mentoring sessions.
🎁 Program Benefits
Comprehensive leadership and gender integration training.
Access to experienced mentors and a professional network across Africa.
Development of communication, personal branding, and strategic leadership skills.
Recognition as part of a prestigious AWARD program with over 15 years of impact.
Opportunity to inspire future women in science through role-modeling activities.
(Note: The program does not provide stipends, allowances, or financial subsidies. Training and mentorship are provided free of charge.)
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all the following requirements:
Be 35 years or younger at the time of application.
Hold at least a bachelor’s degree in an agricultural science discipline (or equivalent) from a recognized university.
Have at least five years of experience in the agricultural sector.
Be a citizen of one of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia.
Currently reside in Africa and be actively engaged in agriculture-related professional work.
Not be a Fellow or Laureate of previous AWARD programs (former mentees may apply).
✍🏻 Application Procedure
Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet all the criteria.
Review Documents: Read the application guidelines and FAQs thoroughly.
Submit Online Application: Complete and submit your application via the official AWARD Fellowship portal.
Provide Supporting Documents: Upload required documentation including:
Proof of citizenship (passport or national ID)
Academic certificates
Contact details of your institution’s head/supervisor endorsing your participation
Application Opening Date: September 9, 2025
Deadline: October 15, 2025 (late/incomplete applications will not be considered)
Notification of Results: Mid-December 2025
Program Start: January 2026
FAQs
Q1: Who manages the program?
The program is managed by the AWARD team, leveraging over 15 years of experience in capacity building for women in science.
Q2: Can I apply if I live outside Africa?
No. Applicants must reside in Africa for the program duration.
Q3: I am from an eligible country but live in another African country. Am I eligible?
Yes. As long as you are a national of one of the listed countries and reside in Africa.
Q4: Do participants receive stipends or allowances?
No. The program does not provide financial compensation. However, training and mentorship are fully funded.
Q5: How will mentoring work?
Participants will be matched with experienced mentors from AWARD’s extensive network, with sessions held monthly.
Q6: Can I keep my current job or academic program while participating?
Yes. The program is flexible and designed to complement existing commitments.
Q7: What is expected of participants?
Attend all scheduled sessions and webinars.
Engage actively with mentors and peers.
Complete assignments and contribute to discussions.
Carry out at least one role-modeling activity.
Q8: Who are the mentors?
Mentors are senior professionals carefully matched to participants’ career goals from AWARD’s global database.
📌 For more information or queries:
