She Leads African Food Futures (SHEAF) Fellowship 2026 for African Women

The She Leads African Food Futures (SHEAF) Fellowship 2026 is a highly targeted and transformative leadership development initiative designed to strengthen gender-responsive policymaking and programming within Africa’s agri-food systems.

This fellowship is specifically tailored for African women professionals who are actively engaged in addressing systemic gender inequalities across food systems, agricultural development, and related policy environments.

By combining leadership development, mentoring, technical training, and professional networking, the program aims to cultivate a new generation of women leaders capable of influencing equitable and sustainable food futures in sub-Saharan Africa.

The SHEAF Fellowship is focused on applicants from Kenya, Malawi, and Senegal, reflecting a strategic regional approach to strengthening institutional and policy capacity in these countries.

She Leads African Food Futures (SHEAF) Fellowship 2026

About the SHEAF Fellowship Program

The SHEAF Fellowship was established to respond to the persistent gender gaps that continue to limit women’s participation, leadership, and influence within Africa’s agri-food systems.

Although women play a central role in agricultural production and food security across the continent, their contributions are often undervalued and underrepresented in policy formulation and program implementation. Therefore, this Fellowship was strategically designed to bridge that gap by strengthening women’s leadership capacity and technical expertise at critical decision-making levels.

Participants are drawn from a wide range of professional environments, including government ministries, regulatory agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, research bodies, private sector enterprises, farmers’ organizations, and regional or sub-regional institutions.

Objectives of the SHEAF Fellowship

The overarching goal of the SHEAF Fellowship is to build a strong and interconnected network of African women leaders who can influence equitable agri-food systems transformation. To achieve this, several key objectives have been defined. First, the Fellowship seeks to enhance leadership effectiveness among African women professionals working in agrifood systems.

This is achieved through customized leadership training that emphasizes strategic thinking, decision-making, and ethical governance. Second, the program aims to deepen participants’ understanding of gender dynamics within food systems, enabling them to design policies and programs that are inclusive and socially responsive. In addition, the Fellowship promotes sustained professional growth through mentoring, coaching, and peer learning.

Furthermore, a deliberate effort is made to strengthen institutional impact. Fellows are supported in applying their newly acquired skills directly to ongoing programs and policy challenges within their organizations. As a result, the benefits of the Fellowship extend beyond individual participants to the broader institutions and communities they serve.

Fellowship Structure and Learning Approach

The SHEAF Fellowship is delivered through a carefully structured 18-month blended learning model that combines both virtual and in-person components. This approach ensures flexibility while maintaining depth and rigor in training delivery. At the beginning of the Fellowship, selected participants take part in an intensive in-person leadership training program in Kenya, which serves as the foundation for subsequent learning activities.

This initial phase focuses on leadership identity, gender analysis, and systems thinking within agrifood contexts. Thereafter, fellows engage in a series of online learning modules, interactive workshops, and facilitated discussions designed to reinforce and expand their competencies. In addition to formal training, Fellows receive personalized mentoring and coaching support, which is aligned with their professional goals and organizational responsibilities.

Peer learning is also emphasized, as Fellows are encouraged to share experiences, challenges, and solutions throughout the program. Through these interactions, a strong professional network is cultivated, supporting long-term collaboration and mutual support.

Training Focus Areas

The SHEAF Fellowship places strong emphasis on practical and policy-relevant skill development. Training areas have been carefully selected to reflect the real-world challenges faced by women working in agrifood systems. Key focus areas include leadership development, gender-responsive policy design, agrifood systems transformation, and inclusive program implementation.

Fellows are trained to critically analyze existing policies and programs through a gender lens, identify structural barriers, and propose evidence-based solutions. Additionally, attention is given to stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and communication skills, which are essential for influencing policy processes and institutional change.

Through this comprehensive training approach, Fellows are prepared to contribute meaningfully to national, regional, and continental food systems agendas.

Eligibility Criteria for the SHEAF Fellowship 2026

To ensure alignment with the Fellowship’s objectives, specific eligibility requirements have been established. Applicants must be African women who are citizens of Kenya, Malawi, or Senegal and are currently residing in these countries for the entire duration of the program.

Academically, applicants are required to hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant agrifood systems discipline. In terms of professional experience, a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in agrifood systems-related fields is required. Applicants must also demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing gender inequalities through their professional roles.

Eligible candidates must be employed in national or international organizations operating within agrifood systems, including government agencies, NGOs, private sector entities, civil society organizations, academic institutions, or regional bodies. In addition, intermediate proficiency in English is required, as the Fellowship activities are conducted in English.

Applicants must commit to full participation in all fellowship activities over the 18 months. Importantly, individuals who are current or former Fellows of other AWARD programs are not eligible to apply.

Profile of Ideal SHEAF Fellows

Ideal SHEAF Fellows are women who have already demonstrated leadership potential within agrifood systems policy development or program implementation. They are expected to clearly articulate their involvement in initiatives at the intersection of agriculture, food systems, and gender equality.

Moreover, strong applicants are those who can convincingly explain the policy questions, institutional challenges, or programmatic gaps they are currently addressing. This ensures that the Fellowship experience is grounded in real-world practice and that learning outcomes are immediately applicable. Applicants are also required to complete their applications independently, as the use of artificial intelligence tools in filling out the application form is strictly prohibited.

Application Timeline for the SHEAF Fellowship 2026

The application and selection process follows a clearly defined timeline. The call for applications opens on December 16, 2025, providing prospective candidates with sufficient time to prepare and submit their materials. The application deadline is January 31, 2026, at East African Time (GMT+3).

Following the submission deadline, applications are reviewed, and selected candidates are notified in March 2026. The Fellowship officially begins in April 2026, starting with the in-person training component in Kenya. Applicants are strongly advised to adhere strictly to the stated deadlines, as late submissions are typically not considered.

Application link: https://awardfellowships.org/news/the-call-for-the-she-leads-african-food-futures-sheaf-fellowship-opens/

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