2023 Mawazo Fellowship Programme

The Mawazo Institute is seeking applications for its 2023 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 2023, 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 

In order to be eligible for the Mawazo Fellowship Programme, applicants must:

  • identify as a woman*     
  • be citizens of an African country     
  • have a good command of written and spoken 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 defense (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 2023-2024

For instructions on how to use this online portal and complete your application, please download the application guidelines here. For additional information with regards to the programme and the application process, please download our FAQs document. 

All documents for this application must be submitted through this portal. Applications will not be accepted via email or in hard copy. 

The Call for Applications for the 2023 Mawazo Fellowship Programme will close on Sunday 12th March, 2023 at 11.59 pm EAT. Please contact fellowship@mawazoinstitute.org with any questions - we’re happy to help.

*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.

*By ”Big Idea” we mean an innovative research-based solution to help address Africa’s emerging societal challenges.