Call for Applications: GROW Fellowship Programme

Deadline: 24-Jul-2026

The GROW Fellowship Programme is a two-year leadership and professional development initiative designed to empower African women working in plant and livestock breeding. Through mentoring, leadership training, networking, and knowledge sharing, the programme equips participants to lead gender-responsive breeding research and contribute to sustainable agricultural development across Africa.

The GROW Fellowship Programme is a non-residential fellowship that supports the professional growth of women researchers working in plant and livestock breeding. It aims to strengthen leadership skills, expand professional networks, and increase the representation of women in agricultural science and breeding research.

The programme combines virtual and face-to-face learning experiences, allowing participants to develop technical expertise while building leadership and negotiation skills needed to influence research, innovation, and agricultural policies.

Programme Objectives

The fellowship aims to:

• Strengthen leadership capacity among African women researchers.
• Promote gender-responsive plant and livestock breeding systems.
• Enhance negotiation and communication skills.
• Support career advancement in agricultural science.
• Build professional confidence and visibility.
• Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Strengthen participants’ ability to influence scientific research and policy.
• Develop long-term mentoring relationships.
• Create a strong network of women leaders in breeding research.

Focus Areas

The fellowship supports learning and development in:

• Plant breeding
• Livestock breeding
• Crop improvement
• Gender-responsive breeding
• Leadership development
• Negotiation skills
• Professional mentoring
• Career advancement
• Scientific leadership
• Policy engagement
• Professional networking
• Knowledge sharing
• Peer learning
• Agricultural research
• Capacity building
• Women in science

Fellowship Duration

The GROW Fellowship Programme runs for two years.

During the fellowship, participants will:

• Participate in virtual learning sessions.
• Attend face-to-face training and networking events.
• Engage in structured mentoring activities.
• Join peer learning discussions.
• Build professional networks across Africa.
• Take part in leadership development programmes.
• Remain actively engaged throughout the fellowship period.

Fellowship Benefits

Participants receive opportunities to:

• Develop leadership and management skills.
• Strengthen negotiation and communication abilities.
• Receive structured mentoring from experienced professionals.
• Build relationships with researchers across Africa.
• Expand professional networks.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing forums.
• Learn from peer experiences.
• Improve career visibility.
• Strengthen technical expertise in breeding research.
• Increase opportunities for leadership positions.
• Enhance their ability to influence agricultural research and policy.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Women remain underrepresented in leadership positions within agricultural research and breeding programmes across Africa.

The GROW Fellowship helps to:

• Increase women’s leadership in agricultural science.
• Promote inclusive and gender-responsive breeding systems.
• Improve agricultural research outcomes.
• Support innovation in crop and livestock improvement.
• Strengthen collaboration among researchers.
• Build future scientific leaders.
• Encourage evidence-based policy development.
• Advance sustainable agricultural development across Africa.

Who is Eligible?

The fellowship is open to women professionals who:

• Are actively engaged in plant or livestock breeding.
• Work in crop improvement research.
• Are employed by universities.
• Work within National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS).
• Are employed by private sector agricultural organizations.
• Work in other relevant agricultural research institutions across Africa.
• Are committed to participating throughout the full two-year fellowship.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is particularly suitable for:

• Plant breeders.
• Livestock breeders.
• Crop improvement researchers.
• Agricultural scientists.
• Early-career researchers.
• Mid-career professionals.
• Women seeking leadership roles in agricultural research.
• Researchers interested in gender-responsive breeding systems.

How the Fellowship Works

The fellowship combines technical learning with leadership development.

Participants will:

1. Join the two-year fellowship programme.
2. Participate in virtual learning sessions.
3. Attend face-to-face workshops and networking events.
4. Receive structured mentoring from experienced professionals.
5. Engage in peer learning and knowledge-sharing activities.
6. Build professional networks across Africa.
7. Strengthen leadership and negotiation skills.
8. Apply new knowledge to breeding research and institutional leadership.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

1. Confirm that they are actively working in plant or livestock breeding.
2. Ensure they are employed by an eligible institution in Africa.
3. Review the fellowship objectives and participation requirements.
4. Prepare the required application documents.
5. Demonstrate commitment to completing the full two-year programme.
6. Highlight experience in crop or livestock improvement research.
7. Submit the application before the programme deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without relevant breeding experience.
• Underestimating the two-year commitment.
• Providing incomplete application information.
• Failing to demonstrate leadership potential.
• Not highlighting experience in crop or livestock improvement.
• Overlooking the importance of gender-responsive research.
• Submitting applications after the deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your application:

• Clearly describe your breeding research experience.
• Highlight leadership achievements and future goals.
• Demonstrate commitment to gender-responsive agricultural research.
• Showcase collaboration and teamwork experience.
• Explain how the fellowship will support your career development.
• Emphasize your interest in mentoring and professional networking.
• Describe how you plan to apply your learning within your institution and community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the GROW Fellowship Programme?

The GROW Fellowship Programme is a two-year leadership and professional development programme for African women working in plant and livestock breeding.

2. Who can apply?

Women professionals actively engaged in plant breeding, livestock breeding, or crop improvement research at universities, National Agricultural Research Systems, private sector organizations, and other eligible institutions across Africa can apply.

3. Is the fellowship residential?

No. The fellowship is non-residential and includes both virtual and face-to-face learning activities.

4. How long does the fellowship last?

The programme runs for two years, and participants are expected to remain actively engaged throughout the fellowship.

5. What skills will participants develop?

Participants will strengthen leadership, negotiation, mentoring, networking, communication, and professional development skills while enhancing technical expertise in breeding research.

6. What are the main benefits of participating?

Benefits include structured mentoring, leadership development, professional networking, peer learning, career advancement, increased visibility, and opportunities to influence scientific research and agricultural policy.

7. Why is the fellowship important?

The fellowship supports greater representation of women in agricultural science leadership, promotes gender-responsive breeding systems, strengthens research capacity, and contributes to sustainable agricultural development across Africa.

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Conclusion

The GROW Fellowship Programme provides African women working in plant and livestock breeding with an exceptional opportunity to strengthen their leadership, expand professional networks, and advance their careers in agricultural research. Through a two-year programme of mentoring, leadership training, peer learning, and technical development, the fellowship empowers participants to lead gender-responsive breeding initiatives and contribute to more sustainable and inclusive agricultural systems across Africa.

For more information, visit AWARD.