Mawazo Fellowship Program 2025 For African Women PhD Students  

The Mawazo Fellowship Program empowers African women scholars to influence policy and public discourse, driving development across the continent. Apply Below: 

When is the Application Deadline:

The application deadline for the Mawazo Fellowship Program 2025 For African Women PhD Students is 11.59 pm EAT on 10 November 2024.

Tell Me About The Mawazo Fellowship Program 2025 For African Women PhD Students :

The Mawazo Fellowship Program is a 15-month, non-residential fellowship. This program is designed to build a network of African women experts who are poised to influence policy and public discourse in academia and beyond, increasing the application and implementation of practical, evidence-based ideas that drive Africa’s development.

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Which Fields are Eligible?

All eligible PhD students are invited to apply, with special encouragement for those focused on the following areas:

• Agriculture and Food Security
• Business, Trade, and the Economy
• Climate Change, Natural Resources, and the Environment
• Education and Pedagogy
• Energy and Engineering
• Gender, Rights, and Governance
• Information and Technology
• Life and Health Sciences
• Mathematical and Physical Sciences
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Type:

Fellowship 

Who can Apply For The Mawazo Fellowship Program 2025 For African Women PhD Students?

Also, applicants are to meet the following criteria:

• Be a woman (woman/women includes cisgender women and transgender women. We also welcome Assigned Female At Birth (AFAB) non-binary, AFAB gender non-conforming, and other AFAB genderqueer individuals, who have historically been excluded from decision-making spaces)

• Be a national of an African country(Born in an African country, originating from a country located on the African continent/refugee/stateless person)
• Have a good command of written and spoken English. Individuals from Francophone countries are encouraged to apply with the understanding that the application process will be conducted in English.
• Be enrolled for their PhD at an accredited university in an African country
• Have completed their course work (if applicable) and successfully passed their departmental or graduate school proposal defence. Proof of this will be required.
• Demonstrate that their PhD research is related to African development and is relevant to a global, regional, national or subnational policy priority
• Demonstrate that they have a “Big Idea” to transform Africa through their research ( By ”Big Idea” we mean an innovative research-based solution to help address Africa’s emerging societal challenges)
• Demonstrate potential for leadership both within and outside academia, and a strong passion to leverage their expertise for impact in society
• Be available to fully participate in the programme in 2025-2026
• Be willing to dedicate at least 5-10 hours a week to the programme once selected.
• The Fellowship does not have an age limit. We however strongly encourage applicants under the age of 35 to apply.

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How are Applicants Selected?

All applications will be reviewed by a committee of expert reviewers.

Successful applicants will demonstrate that they can do the following:

• Meet all eligibility requirements
• Identify a research problem which has important implications for African development and is linked to a global, regional, national or sub-national-policy priority
• Demonstrate that their PhD research is academically rigorous and addresses a unique and important gap in the field
• Demonstrate that their PhD research has clear objectives and is appropriately designed for the research questions being asked
• Write a summary of their PhD research which is clear, concrete, and accessible to scholars outside their field

The Mawazo Institute is committed to non -non-discrimination in the application review process

Required documents:

Applicants are to also submit the following documents:

• A completed online application form
• A letter confirming current enrollment in an accredited PhD programme
• A letter confirming that you have completed your course work (or equivalent) and passed your departmental defence

Which Countries Are Eligible?

African countries 

Where will the Award be Taken?

Africa

How Many Awards?

Not specified

What is the Benefit of the Award?

Additionally, applicants will enjoy the following benefits:

• Participation in Mawazo’s in-house virtual training and professional development program, offered through the Mawazo Learning Exchange (MLEx) e-learning platform
• Connections to expert and peer mentors through a structured mentorship program, as well as exposure to leaders from academia, industry, government and other sectors
• Funding for research activities access to grants
• A stipend worth $500 for discretionary use 
• Data bundles worth $150 to help access the MLEx platform 
• Research and editorial support from the Mawazo team and our partners
• Visibility via Mawazo Voices, our public policy and engagement, strategic communications, and strategic partnerships programme

How Long Will the Award Last?

15 months 

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are required to fill in and submit their applications via our online application portal. Applications will not be accepted by email or in hard copy.