AWARD Leadership Training Program 2026 for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences – Apply Now

Application Deadline: September 20, 2026

About the Program

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) has opened applications for the 2026 Leadership Training Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences. Funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation (formerly Carnegie Corporation of New York), the program aims to strengthen the leadership capabilities, confidence, professional visibility, and impact of young African women working in agricultural sciences. This nine-month program is designed to develop at least 40 exceptional African women under 35 and their mentors. Through intensive, non-residential training, participants will enhance practical leadership and professional skills while strengthening their ability to contribute to agricultural science, gender equality, and broader agricultural development.

Program Overview

• Host: African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD)
• Funder: Andrew Carnegie Foundation (formerly Carnegie Corporation of New York)
• Duration: Nine months
• Format: Intensive, non-residential career transformation program
• Target: At least 40 young African women under 35, competitively selected with their mentors
• Eligible Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia

What Participants Will Gain

• Strengthen Leadership Skills: Participants will explore different types of effective leadership and develop a stronger understanding of how leadership can be applied within professional and organisational settings.
• Develop a Strategic Career Path: Participants will learn how to define their career direction and make strategic use of professional networks to advance their careers.
• Build a Strong Personal Brand: Participants will develop the confidence and practical skills required to communicate their expertise, ideas, and achievements effectively, including presenting to funders and potential collaborators.
• Improve Team Management and Organisational Skills: The training will provide tools and skills for managing teams effectively, understanding organisational dynamics, developing alliances, and making carefully considered decisions.
• Strengthen Gender Leadership and Negotiation Skills
  Participants will develop a better understanding of gender-related challenges and learn strategies for addressing difficult situations and transforming obstacles into opportunities.
• Expand Professional Networks: The program brings together young women working across different agricultural science disciplines and professional environments, creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Increase Research Communication and Professional Visibility: The program helps participants improve their ability to communicate research and professional ideas to diverse audiences, including policymakers, funders, and development organisations.

Who Can Apply?

The 2026 leadership training program specifically targets young African women under the age of 35 who are engaged in agricultural sciences.

Applicants should be working or involved in fields related to agricultural science, including disciplines within the biophysical and social sciences applied to agriculture.

Eligible Countries:

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Malawi
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• Tanzania
• Zambia

Eligible Organisations:

• Universities and higher education institutions
• Research centres and research organisations
• Government institutions
• Non-governmental organisations
• Civil society organisations
• Private-sector organisations
• Other institutions involved in agricultural research and development

Applicants are selected through a competitive process.

Program Structure and Duration

Selected participants will take part in an intensive, non-residential nine-month career transformation program covering:

• Effective leadership
• Career planning
• Strategic networking
• Personal branding
• Professional confidence
• Communicating ideas to funders
• Team management
• Organisational dynamics
• Alliance building
• Calculated risk-taking
• Gender awareness
• Negotiation
• Managing difficult situations
• Transforming professional challenges into opportunities

The program also involves mentors alongside selected participants, with the overall initiative planning to support at least 40 women and their mentors.

Application Deadline: September 20, 2026 (Midnight, EAT, UTC+3)

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the online application form. Applicants should carefully review the official application instructions and FAQ before beginning their submission.

Required Documents:

• Application submission instructions (download from the official page)
• Frequently Asked Questions (download from the official page)
• Online application form (submit through the official link)

How to Apply

Application Link: Click here