The GROW Fellowship — Gender Responsive Research for Optimized Women-led Breeding Systems — is run by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), the Nairobi-based organisation hosted at the World Agroforestry Centre (CIFOR-ICRAF). This inaugural, non-residential fellowship accelerates the leadership, visibility, and career advancement of African women working in plant and livestock breeding. Over two years, fellows strengthen their capacity to lead gender-responsive breeding research, shape scientific and policy agendas, and become recognised leaders in inclusive agricultural innovation and food-systems change across Africa. The programme blends face-to-face and virtual activities, so participants continue in their current roles while they take part.
Benefits & funding
- Leadership, management, negotiation, and communication skills training
- A structured mentoring programme with experienced professionals
- Knowledge forums, networking events, and peer-learning sessions within a growing network of women breeders
- A mix of virtual learning and in-person training over the two years
- Note: the public call describes professional-development support rather than a cash stipend; whether travel or event costs are covered is not stated on the aggregated listings.
Eligibility
- Women who are citizens of any African country
- Hold at least a Master’s degree in plant or livestock breeding
- Actively engaged and practising in crop or livestock improvement research
- At least five years of relevant professional experience
- Affiliated with a university, national agricultural research system, private-sector organisation, or related institution involved in crop or livestock improvement
- Available to participate fully across the full two-year programme
- Not currently enrolled in another AWARD Fellowship
Can you apply?
Worth a closer look
Sign in and add your profile to check this against your nationality, residency, and studies.
Eligible nationalities
Algeria · Angola · Benin · Botswana · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cabo Verde · Cameroon · Central African Republic · Chad · Comoros · Republic of the Congo
+ 42 more
DR Congo · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Egypt · Equatorial Guinea · Eritrea · Eswatini · Ethiopia · Gabon · Gambia · Ghana · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Kenya · Lesotho · Liberia · Libya · Madagascar · Malawi · Mali · Mauritania · Mauritius · Morocco · Mozambique · Namibia · Niger · Nigeria · Rwanda · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Somalia · South Africa · South Sudan · Sudan · Tanzania · Togo · Tunisia · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe
Not in your profile yet
Education required
Master · PhD
Not in your profile yet
Experience required
≥ 5 yrs
Not in your profile yet
Gender requirement
Female
Not in your profile yet
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Review the call, application guidelines, programme brochure, and FAQs on the AWARD website.
- 2Prepare the required online form and supporting documentation.
- 3Submit through the designated online application portal before the deadline.
Program timeline
Call for applications opens
17 June 2026
Application deadline
24 July 2026, 23:59 East Africa Time (GMT+3)
Two-year programme following selection of the inaugural cohort