Idia Fellowship Program for African Women in Tech and AI 2025

📖 About the Program

Artificial Intelligence is dramatically transforming lives across Africa, from boosting agriculture and empowering businesses to revolutionizing education and healthcare. However, women are significantly underrepresented in AI research and policy-making.

The Idia Fellowship Program aims to change that by empowering brilliant women scholars to actively influence the future of AI. Over a 12-month journey, fellows will explore how AI-enabled smartphones are shaping the lives of women entrepreneurs and mothers, generating actionable design recommendations to ensure technology is inclusive, practical, and transformative.

🗓 Opportunity Details

• Date Published: October 07, 2025
• Application Deadline: November 01, 2025
• Category:
  • Postgraduate
  • Masters
  • PhD
  • Fellowship
  • Women
• Eligible Locations: Africa

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

• Comprehensive Support: For research and professional development.
• Training & Mentorship:
  • AI literacy sessions
  • Research skills
  • Design thinking and innovation
• Research Funding:
  • Support for fieldwork, prototyping, and dissemination
• Global Network:
  • Access to a community of AI experts, developers, and policymakers
• Publication Support:
  • Open-access reports, case studies, and policy briefs
• Impact-Driven Work:
  • Shape technologies that empower women across Africa

✅ Requirements

The program offers multiple pathways for women across different career stages and expertise areas:

Postdoctoral: 1 Position

• PhD in Computer Science, Information Systems, Health Informatics, Strategy, or related fields.
• Proven track record in research and publications.

PhD: 2 Positions

• Enrolled in a PhD program or accepted to one.
• Research interest in AI, tech innovation, or women’s livelihoods.

Masters: 2 Positions

• Master’s-level student or graduate in relevant fields.
• Strong research and writing skills.

Software Development: 2 Positions

• Experience in software engineering, UX/UI design, or app development.
• Interest in human-centered design.

Health: 2 Positions

• Background in maternal health, health informatics, or related fields.

Policy: 1 Position

• Experience in tech policy, gender policy, or public policy analysis.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: November 01, 2025
• Click on the application website link to apply.

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the Idia Fellowship Program for African Women in Tech and AI
• Apply directly via this application form

This fellowship is sponsored by Qhala, an organization committed to empowering women in technology and AI.

• Comprehensive support for your research and professional development
• Training & Mentorship
  • AI literacy sessions, research skills, design thinking, and innovation.
• Research Funding
  • Support for fieldwork, prototyping, and dissemination.
• Global Network
  • Access to a community of AI experts, developers, and policymakers.
• Publication Support
  • Open-access reports, case studies, and policy briefs.
• Impact-Driven Work
  • Shape technologies that empower women across Africa.