The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) has opened applications for its 2026 Leadership Training Programme for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences.
The nine-month, intensive and non-residential programme is designed to strengthen leadership capacity, confidence, professional visibility and influence among young African women working in agricultural sciences.
Funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, the programme will support a cohort of at least 40 participants, all under the age of 35, alongside their mentors.
About Programme
AWARD said the programme is intended to equip emerging women professionals with practical leadership and career-development skills while addressing institutional and professional barriers that can limit women’s advancement in agricultural research and development.
The training will cover effective leadership, strategic career planning, personal branding, networking, team management and organisational skills. Participants will also receive training in gender leadership and negotiation, research communication and professional visibility.
Eligible applicants may be working in universities, research centres, government institutions, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, private companies and other relevant institutions. Applicants must also be under 35 years old and meet the programme’s specific eligibility requirements outlined in the official application guidelines.
For the 2026 edition, applications are open to nationals or eligible professionals from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia.
The programme is particularly significant for women pursuing careers in agricultural research and development, where professional and institutional barriers can affect career progression and access to leadership opportunities.
By combining leadership development, career planning, networking and professional visibility, the programme aims to help participants advance their careers while contributing to gender equality and agricultural development across Africa.
Applications for the 2026 programme close on 20 September 2026 at midnight East Africa Time (UTC+3).
AWARD said applications must be submitted through the designated official online application form and that late submissions will not be accepted.
Prospective applicants are advised to review the official application guidelines and frequently asked questions before submitting their applications and to prepare the required documents ahead of the deadline.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should access the application materials and designated online form through AWARD’s official channels
Application deadline: 20 September 2026, midnight EAT (UTC+3).
