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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How will an AWARD fellowship help me in my career?
    Unlike any other fellowship, AWARD delivers a well-tested, coordinated career-development package built on four cornerstones. Each AWARD Fellow benefits from:

    Establishing Mentoring Partnerships
    • Participation in a Mentoring Orientation Workshop to set career-development goals with her mentor
    • One-to-one monthly mentoring by a senior scientist
    • Opportunity to mentor a younger woman scientist

    Building Science Skills
    • Workshops and seminars on science writing and proposal writing
    • Support to attend a science conference to present her research
    • Opportunity to apply for a competitive research attachment at leading international universities and institutions
    • Membership in a professional association
    • Training on how to use electronic science libraries

    Developing Leadership Capacity
    • Participation in the internationally recognized CGIAR Women’s Leadership and Management Course (post-master’s and post-doctoral fellows) or the specially tailored AWARD Leadership Skills Course for post-bachelor’s fellows
    • Support to host a community role-modeling event

    Tracking Learning, Monitoring, and Evaluation
    • Support to track changes in and reflect on career advancements, scientific outputs, influence within research institutions, and actions that respond effectively to smallholder priorities
    • Providing feedback to AWARD about needs and priorities, thereby enhancing the project’s adaptive, responsive management style
  2. Who is eligible for an AWARD Fellowship?
    Women agricultural scientists who are nationals of Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, or Zambia, who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in the disciplines listed below, are eligible to apply. Applicants must be available in Africa throughout the fellowship period.

    Agricultural Economics Ecology Molecular Biology (Plant/Animal Breeding)
    Agricultural Engineering Entomology Natural Resources Management
    Agronomy Food Science and Nutrition Plant/Animal Virology
    Animal and Livestock Sciences Extension Education Soil Science
    Aquatic Resources/Fisheries Forestry and Agroforestry Veterinary Sciences
    Biodiversity Conservation Horticulture Crop Science
    Water/irrigation Management


  3. Is there an age restriction for applicants?
    No. However, those close to retirement age are less likely to be selected.

  4. I am not from Africa, can I apply?
    Sorry, no. This program is specifically for women scientists and professionals from sub-Saharan Africa. Only nationals of the following countries qualify: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

  5. I am African, but not from any of the countries listed. Am I eligible to apply?
    Sorry, no. Only nationals of the listed countries qualify. However, we hope to expand the list of qualifying nationalities over the coming years, especially to francophone countries. The list of eligible countries will be announced annually.

  6. There are no francophone countries listed. Is AWARD only working with anglophone countries?
    Expansion to francophone countries is a high priority for AWARD. However, due to budget constraints, we cannot do so this year. Qualifying countries will be announced each year.

  7. I am a national from an eligible country, but I work in another country. Do I qualify to apply?
    Yes, you qualify if you will be available in Africa throughout the fellowship period, should you be chosen.

  8. I am a BSc student and expect to complete my studies soon. Do I qualify for a fellowship?
    Not yet. Please apply in the future once you have been awarded your bachelor’s degree.

  9. I am an MSc student and expect to complete my studies soon. Do I qualify for a fellowship?
    Yes, you qualify for a post-bachelor’s fellowship. Alternatively, you may wish to wait until you have your master’s degree and then apply for a post-master’s fellowship when the next call for applications is announced. If you will graduate this year, please indicate that on the application.

  10. I am currently studying for my PhD. Do I qualify?
    Yes, you qualify for the post-master’s fellowship.

  11. I graduated, but I am not yet employed. May I apply without institutional support?
    Yes, provided you get a letter of support from your supervisor.

  12. I am an African woman working for the CGIAR. May I apply for an AWARD Fellowship?
    Yes. Researchers from international agricultural research centers, including CGIAR Centers, who are nationals of the eligible countries and who will be in Africa throughout the fellowship period, can also apply.

  13. I am working in agricultural R&D, but my specified subject area is not listed. May I apply?
    We include a wide range of agricultural research disciplines. If in doubt, please apply and your case will be considered. Those disciplines most relevant to AWARD’s goal of improving the livelihoods of smallholders, especially women farmers, will be given priority.

  14. I am not a scientist, but I have a degree. I work for an export company that deals with agricultural products. I think I could learn a lot from your fellowship. May I apply?
    No, the fellowship is designed for women scientists working in the listed disciplines.

  15. I am employed in the private sector. May I apply?
    You are eligible to apply if you are working in agricultural research in a private institution.

  16. A colleague of mine is an AWARD Fellow. Is it possible to have two fellows in the same organization?
    Yes, it is possible to have several fellows from the same institution.

  17. I was an AWARD Mentor in an earlier round. May I apply as a fellow?
    Yes, you can apply as long as you meet the application eligibility criteria.

  18. Do I need to have permission or support from my employer to participate in AWARD?
    Yes, you do need to have support from your institution, as well as two references.

    Letter of support: from your institution’s head (NARI Director, Dean of Faculty, or equivalent authority), indicating full support for your participation in the fellowship program. This includes full support for your on-going research work and time and transport provision to meetings within your country and to the nearest international airport to allow you to attend workshops and programs offered during the fellowship period.

    Two referee forms (see application package for your level): each completed by a reputable professional in your area of research or development. Each referee must complete the form and return it to AWARD by email with the applicant’s name in the subject line by March 25, 2011. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that both referees send their completed forms to AWARD by the deadline.

  19. I told my boss I wanted to apply, but he says that it will take me away from my job too much. How much time does the fellowship require?
    The fellowship does not require a large amount of time in general. You will attend one or two week-long training courses semi-annually. You will also meet with your mentor for about an hour once a month. However, you may decide to apply for an AWARD-supported research attachment, which is available to AWARD Fellows with master’s and doctoral degrees. If you are chosen, you will have to negotiate with your institution to be absent for three to nine months. These research attachments benefit both you and your home institution.

  20. I don’t have email or internet access. Can I still participate in AWARD?
    Internet access is essential for many AWARD activities. You must have a valid email address in order to participate effectively.

  21. Who selects the winners?
    The AWARD Steering Committee selects the winners based on intellectual merit, leadership capacity, and the potential of the scientist’s research to improve the daily lives of smallholder farmers, especially women.

  22. When do you announce the winners?
    Successful candidates will be informed in mid-July 2010 and they have about two weeks to indicate their acceptance.

  23. If I am selected as an AWARD Fellow, when does the program begin?
    AWARD begins with a week-long Mentoring Orientation Workshop for new fellows and their mentors in Mombasa, Kenya. The workshop is offered three times (once in early August and twice in early October) and fellows and mentors must attend one of the three sessions.

  24. I understand that AWARD offers training courses and meetings throughout the two-year fellowship. When and where do these take place?
    Fellows participate in several AWARD training courses, which are tailored according to academic level. The courses and AWARD meetings are held regionally in East, West, and Southern Africa so that fellows do not have to travel too far. A schedule of events will be provided to new AWARD Fellows.

  25. I have a family and I’m worried about being able to attend the training sessions. Is it necessary to attend all?
    Yes, it is necessary to attend all trainings offered. Most courses are one week long, with the maximum being two weeks. If you are nursing, you may bring your child with you and AWARD will arrange for a resident nanny for your baby while you attend the course.

  26. How much do I get paid as a fellow?
    AWARD does not include cash payments except token amounts to cover direct expenses for participation in its events. AWARD does not pay sitting fees. When attending an AWARD workshop, expenses are fully covered on your behalf. Depending on your level, AWARD covers expenses for training programs, professional memberships, travel, and more.

  27. Does AWARD support academic work?
    No, we don’t provide funds for academic study. However, AWARD Fellows receive regular information about available scholarship and research funding opportunities.

  28. When is the deadline for applications for the 2011 AWARD Fellowships?
    The deadline is March 25, 2011. Applications that are late or incomplete will not be considered.