The Mawazo Institute is seeking applications for its 2025 Mawazo Fellowship Programme. This non-residential fellowship is aimed at African women pursuing their PhD studies in any field at accredited universities in Africa. The goal of the programme is 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 will drive Africa’s development.
In 2025, the Mawazo Fellowship Programme will support up to forty (40) women across Africa. While all eligible PhD students are more than welcome to apply, we encourage applications from those working in the following thematic 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
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible for the Mawazo Fellowship Programme, applicants must:
- Identify as a woman*
- Be a national of an African country (Born in an African country, originates 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 passed their departmental or graduate school proposal defence (i.e., in the dissertation/thesis phase of their PhD)
- 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
- 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 to 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
Offered Benefits
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
Application 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
