Data Science to Advance Women’s Health (DSAWH) Fellowship — 2026 Cohort
- Omran Aburayya
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
If you are a woman researcher in Africa passionate about improving women’s health through data-driven research, the Data Science to Advance Women’s Health (DSAWH) Fellowship — 2026 Cohort presents a powerful opportunity. Applications are now open, and this is your chance to build your skills, expand your network, and contribute to meaningful scientific advances. Here's everything you need to know.
👩🏻💻 Fellowship Summary
Name: Data Science to Advance Women’s Health (DSAWH) Fellowship — 2026 Cohort
Scope: East & Southern Africa (for women researchers based in these regions)
Organizer: Data Science Africa (DSA)
Duration: 9 months
Number of Fellows: 20 early-career women researchers
Level: Master’s, PhD candidates, or post-graduate researchers working on women’s health
Key Focus : Women’s health, data science, analytical methods, health research
Funding & Benefits:
Advanced training in data science & analytical methods
Support in scientific writing, publishing, and research communication
Full sponsorship to attend the DSA Annual Summer School & Workshop
Coverage for open-access publication fees
Personalized mentorship from leading researchers in data science and health
Community of peers and network building opportunities
Application Open Date: 6 October 2025
Application Deadline: 3 November 2025
🧩 Fellowship Structure & Activities
Over the 9 months, selected fellows will engage in a structured curriculum combining technical training, writing support, mentorship, and community engagement:
Technical Training: Modern data science methods, statistical modeling, machine learning tools, domain-specific analytic techniques (for health / epidemiology)
Scientific Writing & Communication: Workshops, retreats, or modules to help fellows draft, polish, and submit manuscripts; training in communicating scientific results to broader audiences
Mentorship: One-on-one or small-group mentorship from experienced researchers in health and data science, providing feedback, guidance, and career advice
Publication Support: Funding for open-access journal fees so that fellows can publish their work without cost barriers
Participation in DSA Events: Fellows are fully sponsored to attend the DSA Annual Summer School & Workshop, enabling them to present work, network, and learn in a broader context
Community & Networking: Being part of a cohort of women scientists in Africa, connecting across institutions, sharing knowledge, and collaborating beyond the fellowship duration
By the end of the fellowship, participants are expected to have stronger technical skills, an accepted or in-progress publication, and a lasting professional network.
🎁 Benefits & What’s Covered
The DSAWH Fellowship offers multiple concrete advantages:
Skill & Capacity Building: training in data science methods applicable to health research
Publishing Support: coverage of open-access fees helps remove financial barriers to publishing
Mentorship & Guidance: access to established researchers who can guide your career and research direction
Access to Events: attendance at DSA’s flagship annual event, giving exposure and platform to present
Network Growth: connections with peers across East and Southern Africa, and with mentors internationally
Career Advancement: stronger research profile, potential for collaborations, enhanced prospects in academia, health sectors, or data science roles
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
Be a woman researcher based in East or Southern Africa
Be at the early-career stage: Master’s student, PhD candidate, or post-graduate researcher working on women’s health topics
Have a draft of a first-authored research paper (i.e. a work in progress)
Demonstrate commitment to applying data science in advancing women’s health research
Be able to dedicate time across the 9-month programme for training, writing, calls, and events
(Implicitly) candidates should be able to attend the DSA Summer School & Workshop as sponsored participants
If you meet these criteria, you are encouraged to apply—even if some parts of your profile are still developing.
📝 Application Procedure
While the official page doesn’t list every document in detail, based on the fellowship announcement and typical practices, applicants should prepare:
Filled online application form via DSA’s portal
Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Résumé
Research Proposal or Project Plan (women’s health focus)
Draft of first-authored research paper (work-in-progress)
Statement of Purpose / Motivation (why you want to join, how this fits in your career)
Your google scholar profile
Once selected, fellows will confirm participation, and further logistical arrangements (e.g. scheduling, remote/in-person attendance) will be handled by DSA.
🧭 Additional Tips & Notes
Apply early — meet the deadline of 3 November 2025
Emphasize your draft research work — having a tangible research draft or project idea strengthens your application
Be clear on women’s health impact — articulate how your work addresses real challenges affecting women in Africa
Show willingness to learn — if your data science skills are still growing, highlight your motivation, growth plan, and openness
Engage with DSA community — follow DSA, attend their webinars or events if public, to show alignment
Budget time — since it’s a 9-month commitment, ensure you can balance fellowship tasks with your ongoing responsibilities
