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?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
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
Education required
Master · PhD
Experience required
≥ 5 yrs
Gender requirement
Female
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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