Deadline:  16 February 2024

Applications are open for  the  second call  for the 2024 One Planet Fellowship Internship Program targeting young European scientists.

Offered by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) and Agropolis Fondation through the One Planet Fellowship initiative, the Internship Program allows young European scientists to experience the specific challenges, opportunities, and context of climate change and agricultural research in Africa. The programs will enable them to visit and conduct research in a diverse African environment and broaden their perspectives on agriculture and food systems in varying landscapes.

Through the internship program, the selected emerging researchers will also enhance their networks and build collaborative working relations with other scientists at national, regional, and global levels to solve climate change issues that are, by nature, global. It is hoped that new knowledge and best practices will be generated, shared, adapted, and replicated to the extent possible.

I. Eligibility

These internship programs are open to:

• European scientists (EU nationals), male and female, aged below 30 years and ready to work in a multicultural environment.
• Applicants are primarily Master’s and PhD students. However, junior scientists working in various European research institutions and universities are also eligible.
• The junior scientists’ focus research area or study program should be clearly connected to agriculture, food systems, climate change, and
• The Internship Programs are also suitable for students interested in researching in Africa as part of their study program.

II. Internship activities

Virtual work planning

• In the planning phase, each pair is expected to work virtually to identify the research topic, formulate research questions, and develop a methodology, possible fieldwork, and program report.
• The proposed work plan should outline the tasks undertaken at the African institution and those completed at the junior scientist’s home institution.
• The work plan should be ready at least two weeks before the commencement of the internship program.

Launch, Training, and Networking Week

• The internship programs will commence with a Launch, Training, and Networking Week in Nairobi, Kenya. Two sessions will be organized:

1. One session in March, from March 25 to 30, 2024.
2. One session in April, from April 15 to 20, 2024.

• The selected European junior scientists will attend the workshop, joined by their Science Mentors and other African junior scientists. The one-week workshop will focus on:

1. Developing roadmaps with guidance and input from African scientists and;
2. Finalizing the work plan for the engagement during the one-month research placements in Africa-based institutions.

Scientific visits to host institutions in Africa

• Following the one-week-long workshop in Nairobi, the European junior scientists will proceed for a one-month scientific visit at the African scientists’ institution (“Science Mentors”).
• AWARD and the selected host institutions will support the European scientists in settling down in the country and institution, conducting desk review and fieldwork, and any other reasonable support they may require during their stay.
• AWARD anticipates that the scientific visits may take place in the following countries: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia.
• Note: While the scientific visits are scheduled for a one-month period, there is a possibility for an extension if the European junior scientists can secure additional funding to complete the requirements under their study/research programs.

Virtual (monthly) follow-up sessions

• The one-month scientific visits will be followed by monthly check-in sessions leading to July -August 2024. During these sessions, it is expected that all the researchers, including the European junior scientists involved in the internship programs, will pursue their mutual engagement and collaboration on the roadmaps and research work initiated in the program.
• AWARD will coordinate the follow-up sessions and compile the necessary information for the program assessment.

III. Practical modalities

• AWARD and Agropolis Fondation will cover the costs of the internship programs and local hosting in African countries. These costs include a round-trip flight ticket, accommodation, meals, living expenses, and any other eligible costs approved by AWARD and Agropolis Fondation.

IV. Application and selection process

• The Call for the 2024 One Planet Fellowship Internship Program opens on January 15, 2024, and closes on February 8, 2024. Application is strictly through the online portal.
• The selection committee will review the submissions and notify the successful candidates within three weeks of submitting their applications.
• Following the successful selection, each European scientist will be paired with an African scientist – “Science Mentor” - working in an African-based university or research institution. The matching will be done based on similar research interests.
• The matching pairs will be notified to organize an online introductory meeting facilitated by AWARD. The Science Mentor will host the European scientist for one (1) month at his/her institution.
•  Please, download the 2024 One Planet Fellowship Internship Program brochure for more details about the Program, the selection process, and its implementation.

V. About One Planet Fellowship

The One Planet Fellowship is a career development initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), BNP Paribas Foundation with additional support from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the European Union (EU) Commission. The Fellowship, jointly implemented by AWARD and Agropolis Fondation, was created with the aim of building a dynamic, diverse, and highly connected network of African and European scientists equipped to lead cutting-edge research and innovation to help Africa’s small-scale farmers adapt to a changing climate.

VI. About AWARD

AWARD envisions transformative change toward gender-responsive solutions that will catalyze lasting impact for equitable agri-food systems for women and men smallholders. We are investing in women’s leadership to foster equality in AR4D, equipping AR4D professionals to integrate gender in their work, strengthening institutions to adopt gender-responsive policies and practices, and impacting the enabling environment to enhance gender responsiveness. For More, please visit AWARD website

VII. About Agropolis Foundation

About Agropolis Foundation is a French scientific foundation established in 2007 that promotes, through research and higher education, the development and sharing of knowledge in the service of stakeholders in agriculture and sustainable development.  For More, Please visit Agropolis Foundation Website