The Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship, run by AWARD (African Women in Agricultural Research and Development), is a two-year leadership fellowship for African women scientists who already have a solid career in agriculture, agrifood systems, gender or climate work. If you are a mid-career researcher, policy professional or practitioner looking for mentoring, leadership training and a serious professional network, this is one of the most targeted opportunities available to you.
Before you get excited, here is the honest part: this is not a scholarship for tuition, and it is not for students who are still early in their studies. There is no cash stipend. Its value is in mentoring, training and connections. That makes it a very different kind of opportunity from the funded degrees we usually write about, and it deserves to be judged on its own terms.
This guide is for women scientists in agriculture, especially from Nigeria and Ghana, who want to know whether they qualify, what they would actually get, and how to apply well. I used AWARD’s official brochure and FAQ, plus a call listing for the second cohort. I flag everything that I could not confirm, because rules, dates and countries can change between cohorts.
Quick reality check: The fellowship requires a master’s degree and at least seven years of relevant experience, and it is open to nationals of six countries only. If that is not you, keep reading, because the last sections explain what to do next.
What Is the AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship?
AWARD is hosted by World Agroforestry in Nairobi, Kenya. This fellowship is funded under the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, delivered by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) together with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, according to the official brochure.
The aim is to build the capability, confidence and influence of African women agricultural scientists working on climate-resilient agriculture. The brochure describes two cohorts of 50 Fellows each, 100 in total, selected competitively.
The fellowship is:
- Two years long
- Non-residential, so you keep your job and stay where you live
- Blended, with both virtual and face-to-face activities
- Exclusively for women
The call you are probably reading about is the second cohort.
Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship Benefits: What Do You Actually Get?
What the fellowship offers
According to the official brochure, the programme has three parts.
1. Three-tiered mentoring
- You are matched with a senior mentor.
- An 8-week virtual orientation workshop for you and your mentor produces a career purpose road map.
- You then have monthly mentoring meetings over one year.
- In year two, you mentor an emerging scientist yourself.
2. Required training courses
- Women’s Leadership and Negotiation Skills (five days, in person)
- Gender in Climate Adaptation (four weeks, virtual)
- Gender in Agrifood Systems (five days, face to face)
- Science Communication and Proposal Writing (four weeks, virtual)
3. Collaboration, networking and advocacy
- Collaborative cross-country research groups aimed at joint publications and resource mobilisation
- Role-modelling events, designed and delivered by your mentee
- A storytelling course (eight weeks, virtual) ending in an in-person event to build your visibility and thought leadership
What it costs and what it pays
The official FAQ for the first cohort says:
- No application, registration or participation fee.
- No cash payments or sitting allowances.
- Direct expenses for official Fellowship events are covered.
I could not confirm exactly which expenses (travel, accommodation, meals) the second cohort covers, because the second-cohort announcement was not accessible to me. Ask AWARD before you assume anything about travel and accommodation for in-person courses.
Is it worth it if there is no stipend?
For the right person, yes. You keep your salary, you gain a senior mentor, structured leadership and gender training, and a cross-country network of peers. The trade-off is your time. The FAQ says Fellows must attend all virtual and face-to-face activities, with in-person courses lasting about a week and virtual courses lasting up to two months, with two-hour sessions twice a week. Talk to your employer early, because you will need their support.
Who Is the Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship For?
Undergraduate students
Not for you yet. The fellowship is built for professionals with at least seven years of experience. If you are an undergraduate, use the next few years to build the experience, publications and leadership track record this kind of programme looks for.
Graduate students (bachelor’s degree or recent master’s)
Also not eligible at this stage, because of the master’s degree plus seven years of experience requirement. A recent master’s graduate with only a year or two of work experience does not meet the bar.
Postgraduate students and early-career researchers
The picture is more nuanced here, and the official FAQ is helpful:
- PhD students nearing completion may apply and should state their expected graduation date.
- A non-agriculture degree is acceptable if your professional experience aligns with the fellowship’s fields.
But the seven-year experience requirement still applies, so this mainly suits women who have been working in the field for years and are now completing a PhD alongside their career.
Mid-career women scientists (the target group)
This is who the fellowship is really for. The brochure describes typical applicants as mid-career researchers from research institutes, ministries of agriculture or academic institutions. The FAQ also lists NGOs, government agencies and the private sector as acceptable workplaces, as long as you are actively engaged in climate change or smallholder agriculture work.
Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
Based on the official brochure and FAQ:
Gender
- The fellowship is exclusively for women.
Nationality and residence
- You must be a national of Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone or Senegal.
- You must reside in Africa for the entire fellowship period. You may live in any African country, but not outside Africa.
- A call listing for the second cohort gives the same six countries. Because I could not open the official second-cohort page, double-check the country list there.
Education
- At least a master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, extension, natural resources, food science and nutrition or climate science.
- A non-agriculture degree can be acceptable if your experience aligns.
- PhD students nearing completion may apply.
Experience
- At least seven years of experience in agriculture, agrifood systems, gender or climate-related work, including design, development, implementation or advocacy at institutional, national, regional or international levels.
Current work
- You should be actively engaged in research, policy or practice on climate change and smallholder agriculture.
Language
- Proficiency in English or French. Applications are available in both.
Other AWARD fellowships
- Anyone currently in, or who recently benefited from, another AWARD fellowship is not eligible.
Motivation
- Third-party listings mention demonstrated motivation to influence gender-responsive, climate-resilient and transformative research.
What is not stated
- A maximum age. The sources I read do not set one.
- How many Fellows will be chosen in the second cohort. The brochure says 50 per cohort, but confirm it.
How applications are assessed
The brochure lists four selection criteria: academic qualifications, experience in agrifood systems and climate resilience, leadership potential and career aspirations. The FAQ says an independent panel reviews applications and that selection is competitive and based on the strength of each individual application.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Confirm the call is open and note the deadline
A call listing for the second cohort gives a deadline of 6 November 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time (GMT+3), with applications accepted only through the online portal. I could not verify this on AWARD’s own page, so confirm it there.
Tip: East Africa Time is two hours ahead of Nigeria and three hours ahead of Ghana. So 23:59 East Africa Time is 21:59 in Nigeria and 20:59 in Ghana. Convert it for your own country, and submit well before.
Step 2: Read the official brochure and FAQ
They are short and answer most questions. The first-cohort FAQ is very specific about what is and is not allowed, so read it carefully.
Step 3: Talk to your employer
The fellowship is non-residential, but you must attend all activities, including week-long in-person courses. Get your manager’s approval, and ask about leave for travel weeks.
Step 4: Tell your institution, if it has a research office
For the first cohort, a Ghanaian university research office asked its staff to notify it before applying so it could provide guidance and support. That was a request from one institution, not an AWARD rule, but it shows that your research office may help you.
Step 5: Choose your language and open the online form
Applications are available in English and French. Use the language you are most comfortable writing in. According to the first-cohort FAQ, you can save your progress and return using a link sent to your email.
Step 6: Draft your answers offline first
The FAQ says submitted applications cannot be edited, and that answers must be your own original work, with AI tools not allowed to generate your answers. Write in a document first, read it aloud, get someone to review it, and paste it in only when it is final.
Step 7: Propose up to three potential mentors
The brochure says the application asks you to propose up to three potential mentors, based on criteria in the form. Think about who could challenge and guide you, and why.
Step 8: Submit early and keep proof
Do not wait for the last evening. Take a screenshot or save the confirmation email.
Step 9: Wait for the outcome
The first-cohort FAQ says only shortlisted candidates are contacted, and that successful candidates are notified within six weeks after the deadline. If the same applies to the second cohort, that would mean around mid-December, but that is an assumption.
Required Documents Checklist
Good news: the first-cohort FAQ says no supporting documents are needed at the application stage. Selected applicants later submit academic and identification documents for verification. I could not confirm that the second cohort works the same way, so check the current form.
Even so, have this ready so you can answer the form quickly and accurately:
- Degree details: institution, subject, year, and class of degree for your master’s (and bachelor’s)
- If you are completing a PhD: your expected graduation date
- A full work history showing at least seven years of relevant experience, with dates and roles
- Your employer’s name and type (research institute, ministry, university, NGO, private sector)
- A clear description of your current climate change or smallholder agriculture work
- Evidence of leadership, such as teams led, projects designed, policies influenced and publications
- Your career aspirations, written in a few clear sentences
- Up to three potential mentors, with reasons
- Your valid ID and certificates, ready in case you are selected and asked to verify them
- Your employer’s support, confirmed in writing if possible
Deadlines and Timeline
What I found
- First cohort: applications ran from 6 March 2026 to 26 April 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time, according to the official FAQ.
- Second cohort: a call listing gives 6 November 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time. Late applications are not accepted. This comes from a third-party listing, so verify it on AWARD’s website.
- Results: for the first cohort, within six weeks after the deadline.
- Programme length: 24 months.
What this means for you today
If the 6 November deadline is correct, you have about three weeks from today. That is enough time to write a strong application if you start now, but not to leave anything to the last minute.
| When | What to do |
| This week | Read the brochure and FAQ, confirm the deadline and your eligibility |
| This week | Talk to your employer about the time commitment |
| Days 3 to 10 | Draft every answer offline, gather evidence of leadership |
| Days 10 to 14 | Get feedback from a colleague or mentor, revise |
| Days 14 to 18 | Finalise, paste into the form, check, and submit |
| Well before the deadline | Keep proof of submission and watch your email |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating it as a scholarship. There is no cash stipend, so make sure the value works for you.
- Applying without meeting the seven-year experience rule. The panel can only select eligible applicants.
- Ignoring the nationality list. If you are not a national of one of the six countries, you cannot apply, even if you live in one of them.
- Using AI to write your answers. The FAQ explicitly prohibits it.
- Pasting and submitting without a final check. Submitted applications cannot be edited.
- Leaving the time zone to chance. Submit early.
- Overlooking your employer. You must attend all activities, so you need their support.
- Being vague about leadership. Reviewers assess leadership potential, so give specific examples.
- Applying while in another AWARD fellowship. Current or recent participants are not eligible.
- Relying on old blog posts. Countries, dates and rules change from one call to the next.
Insider Tips to Strengthen Your Application
These are practical suggestions based on how competitive fellowships generally work, not official rules.
- Show leadership in action. Instead of “I am a leader,” describe a team you led, a policy you influenced or a programme you designed, and what changed.
- Connect your work to climate and smallholders. The programme is built around climate-responsive agriculture, so make that link explicit.
- Be specific about your career aspirations. Where do you want to be in five years, and how would this fellowship help?
- Name mentors thoughtfully. Explain what you would learn from each person and why they fit your goals.
- Think about the mentee side. In year two, you mentor an emerging scientist, so mention your experience supporting younger colleagues.
- Use numbers. Hectares, farmers reached, funds raised, publications, trainees. Evidence is easier to trust than adjectives.
- Ask a trusted colleague to read your draft. Fresh eyes catch gaps.
- Write in your strongest language. The form is available in English and French.
- Prepare for the time commitment. Panels want candidates who can show up for the full two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship a scholarship?
No. It is a leadership fellowship with mentoring and training. The first-cohort FAQ says there are no cash payments, though direct expenses for official Fellowship events are covered.
Is there an application fee for the Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship?
No. The official FAQ says there is no application, registration or participation fee.
Can men apply?
No. The fellowship is exclusively for women.
Which countries are eligible for the Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship?
Nationals of Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Senegal who live in Africa. Verify the list on AWARD’s page for the current cohort.
Do I need a PhD?
No. A master’s degree is the minimum. PhD students nearing completion may also apply.
Can I apply if my degree is not in agriculture?
The FAQ says a non-agriculture degree is acceptable if your professional experience aligns with the fellowship’s fields.
Do I have to leave my job?
No. The fellowship is non-residential, so you keep working at your organisation. You must attend all activities, though.
Do I need to upload documents when I apply?
According to the first-cohort FAQ, no. Selected applicants submit academic and identification documents later. Check the current form.
Can I apply in French?
Yes. Applications are available in English and French.
Can I edit my application after submitting?
No. The FAQ says submitted applications cannot be edited, so check everything first.
Can I use AI to write my answers?
No. The FAQ says answers must be your own original work and AI tools may not be used to generate them.
Can I apply if I am currently in another AWARD fellowship?
No. Current or recent participants in another AWARD fellowship are not eligible.
Who do I contact?
AWARD lists a contact email on its website: awardqueries@cifor-icraf.org. Verify it before you write.
I do not qualify. What now?
AWARD runs other fellowships, and other leadership and funding opportunities exist for early-career women scientists. Check AWARD’s website for the current list.
Conclusion: Your Next Steps
The Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship will not pay your salary or tuition, but for a mid-career woman scientist it offers something money cannot easily buy: a senior mentor, structured leadership training and a network of peers across countries, all while you stay in your job. It is a serious, competitive opportunity, and the best applicants are specific about their leadership and their goals.
Here is what to do this week:
- Confirm the second-cohort deadline and country list on AWARD’s page.
- Check that you meet the master’s degree and seven-year experience requirements.
- Talk to your employer about the time commitment.
- Draft your answers offline, in your own words, with specific examples.
- Submit early and keep proof.
Apply here: Open AWARD’s official second-cohort call and apply through the online portal
Want more opportunities? Read our guide to the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, browse Gates Cambridge Scholarship, or explore Schlumberger Fellowship.
You do not need a perfect career. You need a clear story of impact, a plan for what comes next and an application that arrives on time. Good luck.Author’s note: Fellowship details, eligible countries, deadlines and application steps change between cohorts, and third-party websites, including this one, can lag behind the official source. Before you apply, double-check everything on AWARD’s official website and in its brochure and FAQ. If anything here conflicts with an official page, trust the official page.