AWARD GROW Fellowship 2026 – Call for Applications

Overview

The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) has launched the inaugural GROW Fellowship: Gender Responsive Research for Optimized Women‑led Breeding Systems. This two‑year immersive, non‑residential program is designed to strengthen the leadership pipeline of African women breeders working in crop and livestock improvement.

Deadline: 24 July 2026, 23:59 East Africa Time (GMT+3) Eligibility: Women breeders from across Africa

Agric Relevance

The GROW Fellowship is directly agric‑related, focusing on gender‑responsive crop and livestock breeding systems. It seeks to accelerate the visibility and career advancement of women professionals who are actively shaping Africa’s agricultural future.

Key agric impacts include:

• Crop improvement – Supporting women breeders to lead research that enhances yields, resilience, and nutrition.
• Livestock breeding – Strengthening gender‑responsive approaches to animal improvement systems.
• Policy influence – Equipping fellows to shape agricultural research agendas and policies.
• Capacity building – Developing leadership, negotiation, and mentoring skills for long‑term impact.

For Ghanaian women breeders, this fellowship is a unique opportunity to gain recognition and resources to drive climate‑smart crop breeding, livestock productivity, and food security innovations.

Who Should Apply

Applicants must:

• Be citizens of any African country.
• Hold at least a Master’s degree in plant or livestock breeding.
• Have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in crop or livestock improvement research.
• Be affiliated with universities, NARES institutions, private companies, or other breeding organizations.
• Commit to full participation in fellowship activities over two years.
• Not currently be participating in other AWARD Fellowships.

Fellowship Activities

Successful fellows will engage in:

• Leadership and negotiation skills training.
• Structured mentoring programs.
• Knowledge forums and networking opportunities.
• Peer learning sessions within a growing network of women breeders.

How to Apply

• Applications must be submitted via the official AWARD online portal.
• Review the application guidelines, program brochure, and FAQs before applying.
• Submit by 24 July 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

Partners

The GROW Fellowship is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented by AWARD in partnership with:

• Gender‑Responsive Researchers Equipped for Agricultural Transformation (GREAT)
• Makerere University
• Cornell University

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Agri‑web. Applicants are encouraged to consult the official AWARD portal for complete details and verified application instructions.