About the opportunity
The 2026 AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences is a non-residential, nine-month intensive career transformation program funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. It aims to create a group of skilled, confident, and influential young women scientists who can excel in agricultural sciences, take on leadership roles, and promote gender integration in agriculture. The program focuses on overcoming institutional barriers to career progression and encouraging sustainable commitment to agricultural sciences.
Funding and benefits
- Participation in a nine-month intensive career transformation program.
- Training in effective leadership types.
- Guidance on defining professional paths and strategic networking for career advancement.
- Development of personal branding and confidence for pitching ideas to funders and collaborators.
- Training in team management, organizational dynamics, and alliance building.
- Training in gender issues and strategies for negotiating and transforming difficult situations into success.
- Opportunities to strengthen leadership skills, improve research communication, and increase professional visibility and networks.
- Support for selected participants and their mentors.
Who can apply?
- African women under 35 years of age.
- Engaged in agricultural sciences (biophysical and social sciences applied to agriculture).
- Coming from the target sub-Saharan African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia.
- Can be from various organizations including governments, NGOs, universities, research centers, civil society, and the private sector.
Required documents
- Refer to the application instructions document for specific required documents.
When to apply
- Applications open as of August 17, 2026.
- Deadline: September 20, 2026, at midnight East Africa Time (UTC +3).
How to apply
- Read the application instructions and FAQ documents carefully.
- Submit the application exclusively via the online form.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Young African women under 35 years of age engaged in agricultural sciences
- Professionals working in biophysical or social sciences applied to agriculture across specified sub-Saharan African countries
- Researchers seeking non-residential leadership training, communication skills, and career progression support
What should you think carefully about?
- The program is non-residential, meaning participants complete it from their current locations.
- Applicants must reside in specific target countries including Benin, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and others.
- Candidates must secure a mentor to participate alongside the training program.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This program fits early-career women scientists aiming to overcome institutional barriers, enhance professional visibility, and step into leadership roles within agriculture.
Our take
Eligible early-career female agricultural scientists in target African nations should seriously consider applying, while applicants outside the specified countries or age limit are not eligible.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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