A new fellowship is set to transform the landscape of agricultural research in North and West Africa by equipping women scientists with the leadership skills, networks, and institutional support needed to drive climate-resilient agriculture.

The Women in Agricultural Leadership Program Fellowship was launched by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) under the framework of the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, an initiative led by the Australian Government to strengthen agriculture-led development across the continent. The program targets women researchers from Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, providing a platform for professional growth while addressing critical gaps in agricultural innovation and climate adaptation.

“Women are central to Africa’s agrifood systems, yet remain underrepresented in research leadership and decision-making positions,” said Dr. Susan Kaaria, Director of AWARD. “By enhancing leadership capacity and expanding access to professional networks, this fellowship strengthens women’s engagement in innovation and accelerates transformation of agrifood systems to benefit both women and men smallholder farmers.”

The fellowship will support 100 women fellows selected through a competitive process evaluating academic qualifications, professional experience, leadership potential, and commitment to climate-resilient agriculture. Additionally, 200 agricultural researchers will participate as mentors and mentees, fostering intergenerational learning and collaboration across the region.

Structured as a two-year, non-residential program, the fellowship combines virtual and in-person engagement to deliver training in leadership and negotiation, mentoring skills, gender-responsive climate adaptation, agrifood systems analysis, science communication, and proposal development. Fellows will engage in a three-tier mentoring model linking senior scientists, mid-career fellows, and early-career researchers, ensuring sustained development and cross-country collaboration.

The initiative responds to a persistent gap in women’s participation in climate and agriculture decision-making, a challenge that has limited the continent’s ability to leverage women’s expertise in natural resource management and innovation. According to Dr. Leah Ndung’u, Regional Manager for Africa at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), “Many women researchers face structural barriers that limit their progression and influence. This fellowship combines leadership development, mentoring, and regional collaboration to strengthen both individual careers and the broader research systems supporting farmers.”

Launched during the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the program underscores the critical role of women’s leadership in building resilient and equitable food systems. AWARD’s track record speaks to its effectiveness: since 2008, its career development initiatives have benefited 2,200 scientists from over 450 institutions across 26 countries, enhancing professional networks, leadership capacity, and gender-responsive agricultural innovation.

The call for applications opened on March 6, 2026, and closes on April 26, 2026, offering women in agriculture a unique opportunity to gain the skills, mentorship, and visibility needed to shape the future of climate-resilient agrifood systems across Africa.

 

Photo courtesy / AWARD

https://africa.com/new-fellowship-for-women-in-agricultural-research-leadership-launched/