Women in AI/ML Doctoral Fellowship 2026 – USD $5,000 for Women PhD Researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa – Apply Now

Application Deadline: July 31, 2026

About the Fellowship

Women PhD researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa who are integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into their doctoral research are supported by the Women in AI/ML Doctoral Fellowship 2026, a prestigious fellowship. Through a partnership involving the KAIA Network, The New School, and the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), the fellowship is implemented. To increase women’s participation in advanced AI research, strengthen technical and computational skills, and foster interdisciplinary research that addresses social, scientific, environmental, and development challenges, it aims.

Financial support, mentorship, technical collaboration opportunities, and access to a global network of researchers working on ethical and impactful AI solutions are received by fellows.

Fellowship Benefits

• A USD $5,000 research grant to support doctoral research is provided
• Technical AI and Machine Learning collaboration through the KAIA Network is offered
• Mentorship from experienced AI, data science, and interdisciplinary researchers is provided
• Access to a global network of AI researchers and practitioners is granted
• In AI and computational research, professional development opportunities are available
• Through knowledge-sharing platforms, increased visibility for research is provided
• With AI engineers, data scientists, and social scientists, opportunities to collaborate are offered
• Focused on ethical and inclusive AI innovation, participation in a community is included
• To real-world development and societal challenges, support for applying AI/ML methods is provided
• In AI, machine learning, and interdisciplinary research fields, enhanced career prospects are offered

Eligibility Details

The following criteria must be met by applicants:

• Women currently enrolled in, or admitted to, a PhD programme at an accredited institution in Sub-Saharan Africa are required
• In social sciences or related disciplines such as computer science, engineering, economics, public health, environmental science, sociology, demography, or development studies, research should be conducted
• A clear intention to integrate AI or machine learning methodologies into their doctoral work must be demonstrated
• In the KAIA Network community, active participation is expected
• A commitment to leveraging AI for positive social, scientific, or developmental impact must be shown

Application Details

Step-by-Step Application Process:

1. The official KAIA Network fellowship platform should be visited
2. A KAIA Network profile should be created
3. The fellowship guidelines and eligibility requirements should be reviewed
4. An updated academic CV should be prepared
5. Explaining how AI or ML will be incorporated into your doctoral research, a research statement should be developed
6. As required, supporting academic and research documents should be gathered
7. The online fellowship application form should be completed
8. The relevance and potential impact of your AI/ML research should be demonstrated
9. Through the application portal, all required documents should be submitted
10. Before the deadline, the application should be submitted
11. By the fellowship committee, review and selection should be awaited
12. Into the fellowship programme, successful applicants will be notified and onboarded

Application Deadline: July 31, 2026

Why This Fellowship Matters

In AI and machine learning research globally, women remain significantly underrepresented, and in Sub-Saharan Africa, this gap is even more pronounced. Across the continent, enormous potential to address critical challenges in health, agriculture, education, climate, and economic development is held by AI at the same time. By providing financial support (USD $5,000) to women PhD researchers integrating AI/ML into their doctoral work, offering technical collaboration through the KAIA Network, connecting fellows with mentors experienced in AI, data science, and interdisciplinary research, building a community of women AI researchers committed to ethical and inclusive innovation, and supporting research that addresses real-world development and societal challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Women in AI/ML Doctoral Fellowship addresses these gaps. For women PhD researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa who are integrating AI and machine learning into their doctoral research, funding, mentorship, collaboration opportunities, and access to a global network of researchers are offered by this fellowship.

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