Open Doors Fellowship 2026 for Women Researchers in Africa

The VIB-IPBO Open Doors Fellowship supports post-doctoral and mid-career women who conduct agricultural research in Africa. The 20-month program combines a research stay in Belgium with online training. The source lists the deadline as ongoing, but no closing date is confirmed.

Program Snapshot

• Host Organization: VIB-International Plant Biotechnology Outreach (IPBO), Belgium
• Funding: Fully funded research stay in Belgium; amounts not published
• Duration: 20 months
• Phase 1: Three-month research stay in a Belgian laboratory
• Phase 2: 16 months of tailored training after returning to Africa
• Deadline: Listed as ongoing; confirm with IPBO

Focus Areas

• Plant breeding and agrobiotechnology
• Molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology
• Chemical ecology, plant health, and soil health
• Livestock and aquaculture

About the Fellowship

The program helps women researchers stay in the scientific pipeline until they consolidate their careers. In Phase 1, fellows work in a Belgian laboratory with equipment unavailable in Africa. They also learn new techniques and build networks. In Belgium, they take courses on cross-cultural communication, presentation skills, and writing proposals for EU Horizon funding. IPBO then encourages lasting collaboration between Belgian labs and African research groups.

In Phase 2, fellows return home and choose six courses from the VIB online training portfolio. They also complete modules in negotiation, project management, and self-leadership.

What Fellows Receive

• A fully funded research stay in a Belgian laboratory
• Access to equipment and techniques not available in Africa
• Six courses from the VIB online training portfolio
• Training in negotiation, project management, and self-leadership
• Training in scientific communication
• Financial incentives for congresses and open-access publication fees

Who Can Apply

Applicants must meet these requirements:

• Be a woman post-doctoral scholar, at least one year after the PhD, or a mid-career researcher
• Face career barriers from limited training, infrastructure, or networks
• Work in a listed research field
• Hold an active contract at a higher education institution or research center for the full 20 months
• Supervise MSc or PhD students and support staff
• Be a national and resident of an eligible country, or work for a target organization there

Eligible countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. The full list also covers Burundi, DR Congo, Guinea, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, and Zimbabwe. There is no age limit.

How to Apply

Read the application procedure on the IPBO website. Then submit your application through the official portal. Email #339966;">#339966;" href="mailto:ipbo@vib-ugent.be">ipbo@vib-ugent.be to confirm the current deadline.

#339966;">#339966;" href="https://ipbo.vib-ugent.be/en/projects/open-doors-fellowship-program-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click Here to Apply

Conclusion

This fellowship gives African women researchers lab access, training, and visibility. Eligible candidates should confirm the deadline with IPBO and apply soon.

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