The She Leads African Food Futures (SHEAF) Fellowship has opened its 2026 call for applications, inviting African women professionals who are driving change in agrifood systems. This immersive fellowship is designed to strengthen leadership, gender-responsive policy skills, and networks for women working across agriculture, food policy, research, governance, civil society, and the private sector.
Funded by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and implemented by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), SHEAF focuses on empowering women with the tools to influence agrifood systems at high levels and reshape them to be more equitable and effective.
Agrifood systems transformation is critical for food security, climate resilience, and inclusive development. Women leaders play a pivotal role in this transformation but are often underrepresented in decision-making spaces. The SHEAF Fellowship directly addresses this gap by equipping women leaders with leadership skills, mentorship, and technical knowledge to influence programs and policies that affect food systems and gender equality in Africa.
What the Fellowship Offers (Benefits)
✔ Leadership Development
Participants receive tailored leadership training, including workshops and mentoring to improve communication, influence, and systems thinking.
✔ Technical Strengthening in Agrifood Systems and Gender Integration
Fellows deepen their understanding of gender-responsive agrifood systems policy, program design, and implementation techniques.
✔ Mentorship & Peer Learning
Structured mentoring relationships and peer sessions enable cross-learning and collaborative growth among fellows and experts.
✔ Network Building
The fellowship fosters connections with a vibrant community of women leaders, practitioners, and policymakers focused on equitable food systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
✔ Career & Policy Impact
By combining leadership and technical excellence, the programme empowers fellows to shape agri-food systems policies and programs in their countries and region.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
To qualify for the SHEAF Fellowship, applicants must:
Be African women and citizens of Kenya, Malawi, or Senegal.
Hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant discipline or have equivalent professional experience.
Have at least five years of professional experience in agrifood systems, policy, research, or related areas.
Demonstrate commitment to gender-responsive policies or programs in food systems.
Be employed in or lead initiatives within sectors such as government, NGOs, research, academia, private sector, civil society, or regional organisations.
Reside continually in Africa (especially within the eligible countries) throughout the fellowship period.
Communicate effectively in English, which is the language of delivery for the programme.
The SHEAF Fellowship is intentionally designed for mid-career professionals with leadership experience and influence in agrifood systems.
Program Timeline & Format
Application Opens: 16 December 2025
Deadline to Apply: 31 January 2026 (23:59 East Africa Time, GMT+3)
Fellowship Start: April 2026 (tentative start of in-person/virtual activities)
Duration: Approximately 18 months, blending virtual and in-person engagement across learning modules, mentoring, and collaboration events.
The program includes structured leadership and technical modules, mentoring, policy dialogue participation, and network development exercises.
Tips for Applications
Showcase leadership potential and past experience influencing agrifood systems.
Articulate how your work addresses gender inequities in food systems or policy.
Describe concrete policy or program challenges you’re addressing and how the fellowship will enhance your impact.
Highlight professional achievements and your vision for equitable food systems change.
Applicants should carefully read the official guidelines before submitting their form, as incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
