Africa Innovation Fellowship Programme: Transforming African Women in STEM

Africa Innovation Fellowship Programme: Transforming African Women in STEM

About Us Welcome to the Africa Innovation Fellowship Programme: Application Form. We are thrilled to have you here, ready to embark on a transformative journey.

Calling Women-Owned Engineering Ventures in Africa

At the core of reshaping Africa’s destiny lies the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. Are you an impassioned, African woman with a groundbreaking idea in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing, or Mining)? Are you addressing a pressing developmental need in your country? Are you poised to turn your vision into a thriving startup that can impact the world? If you answered yes, we cordially invite you to apply for our prestigious Africa Innovation Fellowship Program.

Our Legacy of Impact

Since 2019, Africa Innovation Fellowship (AIF), in collaboration with the esteemed Royal Academy of Engineering, has been nurturing STEM innovations led by women across sub-Saharan Africa. AIF 2023 is an eight-month leadership and business development opportunity tailor-made for African women innovators steering early-stage engineering innovations or startups towards growth, scalability, and investor readiness. Notably, several AIF alumni have successfully applied for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.

The AIF Journey

AIF takes flight in October 2023 with an enriching virtual masterclass series covering idea incubation, leadership development, funding strategies, and pitch perfection, concluding in May 2024. This comprehensive program is meticulously designed to equip founders with the tools they need to succeed, including a fully funded, in-person entrepreneurship boot camp, access to a network of expert engineering advisors, venture clinics, mentorship, and financial coaching, all aimed at transforming innovative ideas into thriving businesses.

Why Apply to AIF?

Mentorship: Gain invaluable insights from a network of seasoned mentors and industry experts.

Workshops and Training: Receive comprehensive training in business development, encompassing market access, product strategy, and commercial models.

Co-working Space: Access a dedicated workspace furnished with essential resources.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, potential investors, and collaborators.

Pitch Opportunities: Present your startup to potential investors and partners.

Exposure: Showcase your innovation to a global audience.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for AIF, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have a registered, innovative STEM-based business idea or startup operating in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Be in the early stages of commercializing an engineering innovation that brings social and/or environmental benefits to sub-Saharan African countries.
• Individual applicants must be citizens of a sub-Saharan African country. For teams, the primary applicant must hold citizenship within sub-Saharan Africa.
• Not be alumni or co-founders of alumni of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
• Possess a strong commitment to entrepreneurship.
• Commit to the eight-month program running from October 2023 to May 2024.
• Hold a valid passport and be available for travel between October 2023 and May 2024.
• Demonstrate passion and expertise in their chosen STEM field.
• Actively participate in the program.
• Identify as women.
• Be over the age of 18, with no upper age limit.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: October 5th, 2023
• Interview Dates: October 19th – 31st, 2023
• Program Start Date: November 23rd, 2023
• Programme Support: November 2023 – June 2024

Eligible Sub-Saharan African Countries

For this Fellowship, sub-Saharan African countries include:

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland/eSwatini, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

(Note: Djibouti is not included in sub-Saharan Africa, as it is administratively considered part of the Middle East and North Africa.)

Application Sections

1. Founder Information
2. Business Information
3. Declaration

Deadline for Submission: October 5th, 2023, at 23:59 SAST

Need Further Assistance? For any inquiries, please click here or email us at aif@womeng.org.

Expert Tips To Be A Successful Applicant

As you prepare your application for the Africa Innovation Fellowship Programme, consider these expert tips:

1. Craft a Compelling Story: Your application should tell a compelling story about your journey in STEM and why your innovation is essential for Africa’s development. Use real-life examples to highlight your passion and commitment.

2. Showcase Your Impact: Highlight the potential social and environmental impact of your innovation. Provide data and evidence to support your claims, demonstrating that your idea has the power to make a difference.

3. Network Effectively: Networking is a crucial skill for entrepreneurs. Start building relationships within your industry early on, and mention any relevant connections or partnerships in your application.

4. Communicate Your Vision: Clearly articulate your vision for your startup. Describe how you plan to scale and bring your innovation to market. Investors want to see a well-thought-out strategy.

5. Demonstrate Resilience: Entrepreneurship is challenging. Share instances where you’ve overcome obstacles or setbacks in your STEM journey. Resilience is a quality investors admire.

6. Passion for STEM: Convey your genuine passion for your chosen STEM field. Describe how your background and experiences have led you to this point.

By applying these expert tips, you’ll strengthen your application and increase your chances of becoming a successful Africa Innovation Fellow. Good luck!