Empowering Data-Driven Leadership: AWARD African Women In Data Science Fellowship 2025 -

About the AWARD African Women in Data Science Fellowship

The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is proud to launch the inaugural African Women in Data Science Fellowship 2025, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at cultivating a new generation of African female leaders at the intersection of data science, agriculture, and climate resilience. As the continent grapples with complex and urgent challenges such as food insecurity and climate change, this Fellowship seeks to amplify the impact of African women professionals who are leveraging data to drive inclusive, evidence-based solutions within the agrifood systems.

This 12-month, fully funded Fellowship combines leadership development, advanced data science training, hands-on capstone projects, mentoring, and real-world institutional placements. It is designed not only to enhance technical competencies but also to position women professionals as thought leaders, decision-makers, and changemakers within Africa’s evolving agricultural and climate landscapes.

Eligible Fields

The Fellowship is tailored for women working in or intending to influence fields that utilize data science for agricultural research, climate change adaptation, and development. This includes, but is not limited to:

Data Science
Applied Statistics

Agricultural Economics
Agricultural Engineering
Biosystems Engineering

Biostatistics
Bioinformatics
Other data-driven disciplines that intersect with agrifood systems and climate science.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this transformative opportunity, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be a female citizen of one of the following countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, or Malawi.
Hold at least a Master’s degree in a data-intensive field such as Applied Statistics, Biostatistics, Agricultural Economics, Data Science, Agricultural Engineering, Bioinformatics, or related disciplines.

Possess 5 to 10 years of professional experience in a data-related role, ideally linked to the agriculture, climate, or development sectors.
Demonstrate intermediate proficiency in English (both written and spoken).
Be committed to full participation in the year-long Fellowship, including online and in-person engagements.

Must reside in Africa for the duration of the program.
Applicants must not be current participants in any other AWARD Fellowship programs.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated through a highly competitive process based on the following:

Technical proficiency, including practical application of data science tools and analytical thinking.
Clarity of motivation and alignment with the objectives of the Fellowship.
A well-structured Use-Case proposal demonstrating relevance, innovation, feasibility, and anticipated impact.

A practical data exercise to assess the ability to interpret data and extract actionable insights.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following materials for submission:

A current and detailed CV

Academic credentials (including relevant postgraduate degrees)
A short motivation statement explaining their interest in the Fellowship
A brief proposal outlining a real-world issue they would like to address using data

Contact information for professional references (if requested)
Any other documentation as specified on the application platform

Eligible Countries

This Fellowship is currently open to female citizens from the following five African countries:

Benin
Côte d’Ivoire
Ethiopia

Kenya
Malawi

Benefits of the AWARD African Women in Data Science Fellowship

This prestigious Fellowship offers a comprehensive set of benefits that go far beyond financial support:

Leadership Development: Participate in a transformative 7-day, face-to-face leadership training in November 2025 to strengthen self-awareness, confidence, influence, and capacity for systems-level change.
Technical Training: Attend a rigorous 2-week in-person data science bootcamp in February 2026, covering:
- Python programming
- Machine learning
- Statistical analysis
- Data wrangling and visualization

Virtual Coursework: Engage in a 2-month online course (April – May 2026) designed to apply data science to practical agrifood system and climate-related challenges.
Capstone Project: Receive seed funding and technical mentorship to implement a data-driven project addressing a relevant problem in agriculture or climate change (February – September 2026).
Advanced Science Training (AST): Secure a competitive 1–3 month institutional placement in your home country to deepen technical expertise in a real-world environment (May – September 2026).

Mentorship: Receive structured, ongoing guidance from senior data science professionals, including regular check-ins and goal setting (March – November 2026).
Professional Engagement: Access AWARD’s extensive pan-African network through storytelling sessions, peer learning, and collaborative opportunities across research, policy, and practice.
Visibility and Impact: Showcase your work, participate in conferences, and join a growing community of women leaders shaping Africa’s future through data.

Note:

Call for Applications Opens: June 10, 2025
Application Deadline: July 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time (GMT+3)

Participant Notification: October 2025
Fellowship Start Date: November 2025 (with in-person leadership training in Kenya)

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official AWARD application platform. To begin your application:

Visit the official AWARD African Women in Data Science Fellowship webpage for full details and access to the application portal.
Prepare all required documents and ensure your motivation and use-case proposal clearly reflect your experience, aspirations, and alignment with the Fellowship goals.
Submit your complete application by July 31, 2025.

If you have questions about the Fellowship or the application process, please contact:

Email: awardinfo@cifor-icraf.org

Final Thoughts

The AWARD African Women in Data Science Fellowship 2025 represents a powerful opportunity to step into leadership as a data-driven changemaker in Africa. By investing in technical capacity, leadership skills, and real-world experience, the program is not just building careers—it’s strengthening the future of Africa’s food systems and climate resilience.

If you are a passionate woman ready to lead at the intersection of data and development, this is your call to action. Apply now and join a transformative community of African women leading with data.

Good luck!