AWARD Climate Action (ACA) Fellowship 2025 for African Women

The AWARD Climate Action (ACA) Fellowship seeks to achieve a twin goal of increasing the number of African women leading climate change action and catalyze production of climate solutions that work for women smallholders.

The Fellowship is designed to address systemic gender inequalities and build the leadership and technical capacity of African women to lead the design and implementation of inclusive climate solutions. Fellows will be drawn from diverse institutions, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, academia, civil society, and the private sector.

Eligibility Criteria for AWARD Climate Action (ACA) Fellowship 2025 for African Women

1. In this second cohort, the Fellowship targets high-potential African women from Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Senegal who are actively working in the field of climate change adaptation and are passionate about developing contextually relevant, gender-equitable interventions.
2. This Fellowship targets African women at different stages of their professional careers who are actively engaged in finding solutions to the effects of climate change.
3. They should have at least 5 years of experience in climate-related work in diverse areas such as research, policy, academia, extension and advisory services, climate information services, community mobilization, climate justice and advocacy, among others.
4. Women working in government, non-government organizations, community-based organizations, International and regional bodies, and the private sector are all eligible to apply.

Selection Process

The Fellowship is a blended (virtual and face-to-face interventions), non-residential program that will be delivered over a period of two years and will include the following activities:

1. Virtual and in-person training events, including training in leadership, negotiation, and intergenerational mentoring. They will also attend a course on how to integrate gender in climate change interventions.
2. Group and individual coaching
3. Mentoring program
4. Regular peer-to-peer learning sessions
5. Participate in regular masterclasses
6. Conceptualize and lead collaborative climate projects on gender and climate adaptation known as Climate Research and Innovation Projects (CRIPs).
7. Exposure on emerging trends in gender, climate change and agrifood systems
8. Speaking opportunities to give seminars and other events
9. In-country role modeling events

Participants who complete all the Fellowship activities will receive a certificate of Completion. The Climate Fellows will also join an elite network of experts and food systems champions, including AWARD country chapters.

Benefits of AWARD Climate Action (ACA) Fellowship 2025 for African Women

1. The ACA Fellowship, inspired by the AWARD Fellowship model, is a non-residential, capacity-building program. Selected candidates will undergo an intensive, one-year career acceleration process, including leadership development, gender integration training, mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning. Fellows will also conceptualize and implement mini collaborative Climate Research and Innovation Projects (CRIPs) to apply their learning in real-world contexts.
2. Successful candidates will become AWARD Climate Fellows, gaining access to a pan-African network of peers, mentors, and institutions working to catalyze gender-transformative change in climate adaptation and policy.
3. The Fellowship does not provide cash payments except for covering direct expenses for participation in events. There are no sitting allowances provided.

How to Apply

Download the application guidelines.

Download the Fellowship brochure.

Download the frequently asked questions.

Apply here.

For more details, visit AWARD Fellowship webpage

Application Deadline

June 30, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for AWARD Climate Action (ACA) Fellowship 2025 for African Women