GROW Fellowship 2026 Opens Applications for African Women Researcher
Applications are now open for the GROW Fellowship 2026 (Gender Responsive Research for Optimized Women-led Breeding Systems), a prestigious two-year, non-residential leadership fellowship designed to empower African women working in plant and livestock breeding research.
The fellowship seeks to strengthen the leadership capacity of women scientists while promoting gender-responsive agricultural research and innovation across Africa.
The programme is funded by the Gates Foundation and implemented by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) in collaboration with Makerere University and Cornell University.
Fellowship Details
Programme: GROW Fellowship 2026
Location: Non-residential (Open to applicants across Africa)
Application Deadline: July 24, 2026 (11:59 PM EAT / GMT+3)
Duration: Two years
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of any African country.
- Hold at least a Master’s degree in plant or livestock breeding.
- Have a minimum of five years of experience in crop or livestock improvement research.
- Be actively involved in breeding research and development.
- Be affiliated with a university, National Agricultural Research System (NARES), private sector organisation, or another institution involved in crop improvement.
- Be available to fully participate throughout the two-year fellowship.
- Not be participating in any ongoing AWARD Fellowship.
Benefits of the GROW Fellowship
Successful fellows will receive:
- Leadership and negotiation skills training.
- One-on-one mentoring from experienced professionals.
- Networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
- Peer learning sessions with women scientists across Africa.
- Career development support to increase leadership and professional visibility.
Programme Objectives
The GROW Fellowship aims to:
- Increase the number of women leaders in agricultural research.
- Promote gender-responsive plant and livestock breeding systems.
- Enhance the visibility and influence of African women scientists.
- Support long-term career advancement in agricultural research and development.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible applicants should submit their applications through the official GROW Fellowship application portal before the closing date.
Applicants are also encouraged to carefully review the programme guidelines, brochure, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before submitting their applications.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications is July 24, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
Final Note
The GROW Fellowship 2026 provides an outstanding opportunity for experienced African women researchers to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their professional networks, and contribute to more inclusive and gender-responsive agricultural research systems across the continent. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply before the deadline.
