Inaugural African Women in Data Science Fellowship

The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is excited to announce the launch of the African Women in Data Science Fellowship. This initiative addresses the growing need for data-driven leadership to tackle food insecurity and climate change challenges across Africa.

📖 About the Fellowship

The African Women in Data Science Fellowship is a 12-month career-accelerating program designed for African women working at the intersection of data science, agriculture, and climate resilience. The program aims to:

• Enhance leadership and technical skills.
• Foster inclusive, evidence-based innovation in agrifood systems and climate resilience.
• Build on AWARD’s proven track record of cultivating African women leaders in agricultural research and development.

Target Audience

The program is open to African women from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Malawi with experience in data-related roles and a commitment to applying data for development. Fellows will come from diverse sectors, including:

• Government
• Academia
• Research
• Civil society
• Development agencies
• Private sector

🗓️ Key Dates

• Date Published: June 11, 2025
• Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
• Program Start: November 2025

🎯 Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must:

• Be female citizens of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, or Malawi.
• Hold at least a Master’s degree in one of the following fields:
  • Applied Statistics
  • Biostatistics
  • Agricultural Engineering
  • Biosystems Engineering
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Data Science
  • Bioinformatics or related disciplines
• Have 5 to 10 years of professional experience in a data-related role, ideally linked to agriculture, climate, or development sectors.
• Demonstrate intermediate proficiency in English (reading, writing, and speaking).
• Commit to full participation in the 12-month program, including online and in-person activities.
• Be a resident in an African country throughout the fellowship period.
• Not be a selected Fellow for any other Fellowships offered by AWARD.

🌟 Benefits

The fellowship offers a comprehensive program to enhance participants' leadership and technical capabilities. Fellows will:

1. Participate in a 7-day leadership course to strengthen confidence, influence, and capacity to lead data-driven solutions (November 2025).
2. Join a 2-week immersive data science training course covering:
   • Python programming
   • Machine learning
   • Data wrangling
   • Visualization
   • Statistical analysis (February 2026).
3. Complete a 2-month virtual course focused on applying data science tools to real-world challenges in agrifood systems and climate resilience (April – May 2026).
4. Design and implement a data-driven capstone project addressing a practical issue in agriculture or climate, with seed funding and technical guidance (February – September 2026).
5. Undertake a competitive short-term institutional placement (1–3 months) within their home country to apply skills in real-world settings (May – September 2026).
6. Receive structured mentoring from senior data science professionals, including orientation, check-ins, and goal setting (March – November 2026).
7. Engage in knowledge-sharing sessions and professional networking opportunities through AWARD’s network (Throughout the fellowship).

By the end of the program, Fellows will be equipped to lead data-driven initiatives, advocate for inclusive innovation, and serve as role models in Africa’s growing data science ecosystem.

📝 Application Process

To apply, candidates must:

1. Provide details of their institution’s head or responsible supervisor to endorse their participation in the fellowship activities.
2. Submit required documentation, including:
   • Copies of passport
   • Academic certificates
3. Accept AWARD’s code of conduct.
4. Communicate officially to AWARD about participation in any other capacity-building programs.

Application Links

• Apply Here
• FAQs

📌 Additional Information

• Sponsor Organization: African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD)
• Program Location: Kenya
• Eligible Countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Malawi

For more details, visit the official fellowship page.

📅 Application Deadline

July 31, 2025

Don’t miss this opportunity to join a transformative program empowering African women in data science!

• Enhance leadership and technical capabilities of African women professionals utilizing data science.
• Foster inclusive, evidence-based innovation in agrifood systems and climate resilience.