Agrarforschungsprogramm für Forscherinnen aus Entwicklungsländern geht in eine zweite Phase (englisch)

Funders have renewed support for African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), a programme that helps women in Sub-Saharan countries to develop leadership and scientific skills. A second grant, spanning five years, was announced on 18 October, comprising US$14 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and US$5 million from the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The majority of those who produce, process and market Africa's food are women, but only one in four agricultural researchers is female, according to a 2008 benchmarking study conducted by AWARD.

The first phase of AWARD, in 2008, enlisted 250 African women agricultural scientists from 11 countries. Women who complete a two-year fellowship programme — which are then rolled out in their own countries — are said to be more confident and technically skilled, as well as having access to networks and more visibility to further their careers.
Every AWARD fellow attends courses on leadership and management, science skills and proposal writing. They are also twinned with senior scientists as mentors.