CFAs: She Leads African Food Futures (SHEAF) Fellowship Program

Deadline: 31-Jan-2026

The SHEAF Fellowship by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is an 18-month career development programme for African women professionals in agrifood systems from Kenya, Malawi, and Senegal. It combines leadership training, mentoring, and technical excellence to strengthen gender-responsive agrifood systems policies and programmes across sub-Saharan Africa.

Overview of the SHEAF Fellowship

The SHEAF (Supporting Her Excellence in Agrifood Systems) Fellowship is an immersive career development programme implemented by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD).

The Fellowship is designed to strengthen the leadership, policy influence, and technical capacity of African women professionals working to address gender inequalities in agrifood systems.

It supports women at different career stages who are actively shaping policies, programmes, and initiatives that promote equitable, inclusive, and sustanable agrifood systems in sub-Saharan Africa.

Purpose and Vision of the Programme

The SHEAF Fellowship aims to build a critical mass of African women leaders who can drive transformational change in agrifood systems.

The programme focuses on:

Advancing gender equality in agrifood systems policies and programmes
Strengthening women’s leadership and decision-making power
Enhancing evidence-based, gender-responsive programme design
Building long-term professional networks across the region

The Fellowship contributes directly to more inclusive food systems and improved development outcomes.

Key Concepts Explained

Gender-Responsive Agrifood Systems

Gender-responsive agrifood systems intentionally address the different needs, roles, and constraints of women and men across agricultural value chains, policies, and institutions.

This approach promotes equity, productivity, and resilience within food systems.

Leadership Development in Agrifood Systems

Leadership development focuses on strengthening strategic thinking, policy influence, negotiation skills, and institutional change capacity among professionals working in agriculture and food systems.

What the SHEAF Fellowship Offers

Successful applicants will receive a structured and customized learning experience that integrates multiple development components.

Key Fellowship components include:

Leadership development training
Technical training in gender and agrifood systems
One-on-one mentoring and professional coaching
Peer learning and cohort engagement
Network development with African and global experts

The programme is designed to strengthen both individual capacity and institutional impact.

Fellowship Structure and Duration

Programme duration: 18 months
Fellowship start: April 2026
Opening activity: In-person training in Kenya

Participants must commit to full participation throughout the entire Fellowship period.

Number of Fellows Selected

Up to 25 Fellows will be selected
Special consideration is given to women working in AGRA-supported organisations and programmes

Selection aims to ensure disciplinary diversity and broad geographic representation.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for the SHEAF Fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria.

Citizenship and Location

Applicants must:

Be African women citizens of Kenya, Malawi, or Senegal
Reside in one of these countries for the entire 18-month Fellowship

Educational Background

Applicants must:

Hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant agrifood systems discipline

Professional Experience

Applicants must:

Have a minimum of five years of professional experience in agrifood systems-related work
Demonstrate active involvement in addressing gender issues in agrifood systems

Employment Status

Eligible applicants must be employed in:

National or international organisations
Private sector entities
Civil society or non-governmental organisations
Farmers’ organisations
Government ministries or agencies
Regional or sub-regional institutions
Academic or research institutions

Language and Availability

Applicants must:

Demonstrate intermediate proficiency in English
Commit to full participation in all Fellowship activities

Ideal Candidate Profile

Ideal SHEAF Fellows typically demonstrate:

Leadership roles in agrifood systems policy or programme implementation
Experience linking agriculture, food systems, and gender equality
Active engagement in addressing real-world policy or programme challenges
Commitment to driving institutional and systemic change

Applicants are expected to clearly describe the programmes, policy challenges, or research questions they are currently working on.

Important Application Conditions

Applicants must note the following mandatory conditions:

Artificial intelligence must not be used to complete the application form
Applicants must disclose participation in other capacity-building programmes
Institutional endorsement is required upon selection
Fellows must accept AWARD’s code of conduct

Failure to meet these conditions may result in disqualification.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should carefully verify that they meet all eligibility criteria before applying.

Step 2: Review Supporting Documents

Applicants must review all Fellowship guidelines and supporting materials available on the Fellowship website.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application

Applications must be submitted through the official SHEAF Fellowship online portal
Applicants may only submit complete applications

Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered

Key Dates and Timeline

Application deadline: January 31, 2026
Notification of selected Fellows: March 2026
Fellowship commencement: April 2026
Initial in-person training: Kenya, April 2026

Why the SHEAF Fellowship Matters

The SHEAF Fellowship addresses a critical gap in agrifood systems leadership by empowering African women professionals.

The programme:

Strengthens gender-responsive policy and programme design
Builds sustainable leadership pipelines in agrifood systems
Enhances national and regional policy influence
Promotes equitable and inclusive food systems across Africa

By investing in women leaders, the Fellowship contributes to long-term food security and social equity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying without meeting all eligibility criteria
Submitting incomplete or late applications
Failing to demonstrate engagement with gender issues
Using artificial intelligence in the application form
Not clearly explaining current policy or programme challenges

Careful preparation is essential for a competitive application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SHEAF Fellowship?

It is an 18-month leadership and career development programme for African women working in agrifood systems.

Which countries are eligible?

Only citizens and residents of Kenya, Malawi, and Senegal are eligible.

How many Fellows will be selected?

Up to 25 Fellows will be selected for the 2026 cohort.

What qualifications are required?

Applicants must hold at least a master’s degree and have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience.

Is employment required to apply?

Yes, applicants must be employed in an organisation working in agrifood systems.

Can AI tools be used to complete the application?

No, applicants must not use artificial intelligence to fill out the application form.

When does the Fellowship begin?

The Fellowship begins in April 2026 with in-person training in Kenya.

Conclusion

The SHEAF Fellowship offers a high-impact opportunity for African women professionals to strengthen leadership, technical expertise, and policy influence in agrifood systems. By integrating mentoring, training, and network development, the programme equips Fellows to drive gender-responsive change and advance equitable agrifood systems across sub-Saharan Africa.

For more information, visit AWARD.

CFAs: She Leads African Food Futures (SHEAF) Fellowship Program