AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Fellowship: Six-Country Call for 2027

Last verified: 21 October 2026. Applications open.

Are you a woman agricultural scientist ready to take greater responsibility for research and institutional change? AWARD’s second leadership cohort offers a development pathway for eligible professionals in six African countries.

Opportunity at a glance

Who should consider applying?

The call targets mid-career women scientists with a master’s degree and at least seven years’ experience. Eligible employment settings include research institutes, universities, ministries and international research organisations. Check the full country, professional and participation conditions in AWARD’s guidance.

Important limits: This is a leadership fellowship, not an unrestricted grant for an NGO or farm. Eligibility does not extend automatically to every African country. Participation must be compatible with professional responsibilities.

How to apply

Use the English or French application form linked from AWARD’s announcement. Read the matching brochure and FAQ before submitting; retain the confirmation.

Read the official programme guidance and follow its application link.

Africads application guidance

The following recommendations are Africads guidance, not additional donor requirements.

• Build your application around a leadership challenge you can influence. Examples might include improving how research reaches extension teams or increasing women’s participation in institutional decisions; choose one grounded in your actual role.
• Distinguish technical expertise from leadership evidence. Describe a decision you shaped, a team you supported or a difficult collaboration you improved, including your specific contribution.
• Discuss time commitments with your institution. A non-residential format still requires protected time and a realistic plan for applying learning between programme activities.
• Identify how the fellowship could benefit colleagues and agricultural users. A practical learning-sharing plan is more convincing than a promise to transform an entire national food system.

A practical preparation worksheet

Draft four short entries: a leadership situation, the action you personally took, the observable result and the capability you still need to develop. Then name one workplace change you could realistically pursue, the people whose support it needs and an indicator of progress.

Copy these prompts into your working document and add an evidence reference, responsible person and completion date to each answer. Treat missing evidence as a task to resolve, rather than a claim to strengthen with more persuasive wording.

Five questions applicants ask

Is it a project grant?

No. It is professional and leadership development.

Can women from other countries apply?

The published call names six countries; do not assume wider eligibility.

Should I describe only publications?

Africads recommends also showing decisions, collaboration and leadership.

Do I need employer discussions?

They are sensible preparation for managing participation and applying learning.

Where are the forms?

AWARD links the English and French routes on its official announcement.

Conclusion and next steps

Apply if your professional profile fits and you can explain a specific leadership development need. The strongest preparation starts with honest evidence of your work and a feasible plan to use the learning.

For a structured decision on fit, evidence and preparation, use the Africads Grant Funding Toolkit.

For an opportunity or application review, contact Kimanzi@africadslive.com. Subscribe free to Grant News for verified opportunities and practical funding intelligence. Africads is an independent information service; selection remains the provider’s decision.