Call for Applications: African Women in Data Science Fellowship

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural African Women in Data Science Fellowship. This timely initiative responds to the growing demand for data-driven leadership to tackle the pressing challenges of food insecurity and climate change across Africa. They invite ambitious African women with foundational experience in data-related work and a strong motivation to deepen their skills and apply data science for transformative impact in agrifood systems and climate resilience.

The Fellowship aims to enhance the leadership and technical capabilities of African women professionals utilizing data science to foster inclusive, evidence-based innovation in agrifood systems and climate resilience. Building on AWARD’s proven track record in cultivating African women leaders in agricultural research and development, the program adapts our Fellowship model to meet the demands of an evolving data and technology landscape.

The program targets African women from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Malawi with demonstrated experience in data-related roles and a commitment to applying data for development. Fellows will be drawn from diverse sectors, including government, academia, research, civil society, development agencies, and the private sector.

Fellowship Highlights

The Fellowship is an immersive non-residential experience that will include various face-to-face and virtual activities over a 12-month period. Activities are designed to:

1. Enhance leadership capacities and foster mentoring partnerships:
Fellows will undertake a seven-day in-person leadership training course focused on self-leadership, influence, communication, and confidence building. They will also participate in a structured mentoring program where they will be paired with seasoned experts in data science applications.

2. Increase understanding and ability to apply advanced data science techniques for agrifood systems development and climate resilience:
Fellows will participate in a two-week immersive bootcamp that will equip them with hands-on technical training on practical data science skills. Participants will develop expertise in techniques like Python for machine learning, data wrangling, visualization, statistical analysis, and AI applications, with a strong emphasis on real-world solving.
Fellows will also start conceptualizing their Data Science Projects during the bootcamp.
In addition to the bootcamp, Fellows will undertake a two-month virtual training on application of data science to African food systems research and development.

3. Accelerate application of data science for agrifood systems development and climate resilience:
Fellows will be equipped to leverage data science to drive sustainable change and build climate resilience in Africa’s Food Systems by supporting them to design and implement Data Science Projects.
Fellows will receive support to implement their projects during their participation in Advanced Science Training.

Eligibility

This pilot fellowship targets African women who:

• Are nationals of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Malawi.
• Have a background in data science or related fields and application to agriculture or climate change.
• Hold a master’s degree in statistics, economics, engineering, or climate-related fields.
• Have 5–10 years of experience in development, research, or data analytics.
• Are committed to leadership, collaboration, and long-term impact in the field.

For more information and application.