African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) has opened applications for the GROW Fellowship, a leadership program aimed at empowering women breeders across Africa with skills, visibility, and opportunities to advance gender-responsive agricultural research and innovation.
The immersive, non-residential fellowship seeks to equip women breeders with the skills, networks, and leadership competencies needed to drive gender-responsive breeding research, influence scientific and policy agendas, and lead inclusive agricultural innovation across the continent.
According to AWARD, the fellowship is part of a broader effort to address the underrepresentation of women in plant breeding and agricultural research. Current evidence indicates that women constitute less than 15 percent of plant breeders in West and Central Africa, highlighting the urgent need to create pathways for more women to excel in the field.
Building a New Generation of Women Leaders in Breeding Science
Through mentorship, professional development, strategic networking, and opportunities for scientific and policy engagement, the GROW Fellowship aims to cultivate a network of influential women breeders capable of transforming Africa’s food systems.
The program is designed to help women breeders strengthen their leadership skills while increasing their recognition within national, regional, and global agricultural research ecosystems. Fellows will also gain technical expertise in integrating gender-responsive approaches into crop and livestock breeding programs.
Speaking about the initiative, AWARD Director Dr. Susan Kaaria said the fellowship seeks to create an Africa where women breeders are visible, influential, and empowered to lead innovative breeding systems that respond to the needs of diverse farming communities.
“The GROW Fellowship envisions an Africa where women breeders are visible, influential, and fully empowered to lead the design and delivery of gender-responsive breeding innovations,” Dr. Kaaria noted.
She added that by nurturing leadership potential and expanding opportunities for influence, the fellowship will help elevate women breeders as pioneers of inclusive crop improvement systems that contribute to sustainable food systems transformation across Africa.
Fellowship to Support 48 Women Breeders
The fellowship will support two cohorts comprising a total of 48 women breeders selected through a competitive application process conducted in two rounds.
Successful applicants will participate in a structured leadership development program featuring:
- Leadership and career development training
- Mentorship and peer-learning opportunities
- Technical training on gender-responsive breeding approaches
- Professional networking and collaboration opportunities
- Exposure to scientific and policy engagement platforms
The fellowship targets women breeders from across Africa who are committed to advancing agricultural innovation and promoting inclusive breeding systems.
Strengthening Gender-Responsive Breeding Systems Across Africa
The GROW Fellowship is implemented under the Gender Responsive and Women-Led Research and Development Program, which seeks to strengthen breeding systems across sub-Saharan Africa.
The initiative addresses two major challenges: the low number of women breeders on the continent and the limited adoption of breeding technologies among women smallholder farmers.
By supporting both individual researchers and institutions, the program aims to ensure that breeding-led agricultural improvement efforts better reflect the priorities and needs of women and men smallholder farmers.
The program is funded by the Gates Foundation and implemented by AWARD in partnership with GREAT (Gender-Responsive Researchers Equipped for Agricultural Transformation), Makerere University, and Cornell University.
Institutional Strengthening in Four African Countries
Beyond the fellowship, the program includes an institutional strengthening package targeting agricultural research organizations and universities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda.
Participating institutions include:
Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)
- Mekelle University
Kenya
- Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
- Egerton University
Nigeria
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- National Root Crops Research Institute
Uganda
- Makerere University
The institutional component seeks to integrate gender-responsive breeding into research operations and university curricula, helping create a sustainable pipeline of future breeding scientists.
How to Apply
Applications for the GROW Fellowship are now open and must be submitted through AWARD’s online application portal.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the application guidelines, fellowship brochure, and frequently asked questions before submitting their applications.
For more information and application details, visit AWARD Fellowships.
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