Leadership for Innovation and Excellence in Accelerating Research on Women’s Health (LEA‑WH) nurtures and equips Africa’s next generation of women’s health research leaders to create transformative change across the continent. Hosted at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Graduate School, the program bridges the gap between research excellence and innovation, preparing fellows with the technical expertise to develop scalable solutions and the leadership capabilities to drive equitable health outcomes.
Our LEA‑WH Fellowship brings together extraordinary mid‑career researchers and innovators with a commitment to solving pressing women’s health challenges in Africa. Over the course of a year-long immersive fellowship, we provide them with the tools, networks, and mentorship to strengthen their leadership, refine their research, and translate discoveries into products, services, and policies that make a measurable difference.
Through its unique dual-track model, LEA-WH builds capacity to conduct cutting-edge scientific research while fostering market-ready innovation. Fellows graduate as independent leaders, fully equipped to establish impactful programs and catalyze sustainable change in women’s health in Africa.
People desiring to work on women’s health priorities in underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.
Please read the 2026 LEA-WH Fellowship Selection Criteria to prepare your application.
The 2026 LEA-WH Fellowship Offline Application Worksheet can be used to draft, edit, and refine your responses to the short-answer questions before the application opens.
Our application has been designed to understand more about you, your work and impact, as well as your program readiness. We encourage you to start the application early.
Application Dates: 13th January to 20th February 2026.
Use the Apply Now button below to submit your online application.
Time: 2 -3 PM WAT | 4 -5 PM CAT/SAST | 5 -6 PM EAT
Theme:- LEA-WH Fellowship: Apply Now to Lead Research and Innovation in Africa.
Choose Your Path: Depth Meets Cross-Pollination: Your work, amplified by inter-disciplinary collaboration and tailored mentorship from international women’s health experts
(Exchange ideas across tracks via peer sessions and shared challenges. Fellows are admitted into one of two focused pathways aligned with their expertise and long-term ambitions)
“Fellows’ work aligns with one or more of our key priority areas. Interdisciplinary work spanning multiple areas is welcomed.”
“How you will invest your time to grow, lead and innovate.”
Your-one-year power journey: Balance 12 hours a week of virtual engagements with your career (480hrs total virtual: 220 synchronous, 260 asynchronous learning) around three integrated pillars, each providing focused opportunities to strengthen your expertise and expand your influence:
Elevate your impact through exclusive fully funded in-person convenings across Africa and the United States. Networks that propel careers forward, including support to attend a relevant women’s health conference.
Application opens on 13 January 2026
Application closes on 20 February 2026
Program Director
Curriculum Development Lead
R&D and Technical Training Lead
Leadership Development Lead
Both men and women are eligible to apply, as long as they are meet the Fellowship’s eligibility requirements.
No, applicants must be Africans, working in Africa and affiliated to organizations based in Africa.
Yes, those who have career gaps due to family obligations, military service, health problems, pandemic-related disruptions (or any other special circumstances) should explain their situation in the application and outline how the program would be helpful to their career development.
No, all applicants must have already received their terminal degree by the time they submit their application to the program. We hope to be able to offer the program on an annual basis for the next three years starting April 2026, so please check our website or sign up for our email list to be notified of future opportunities available after you graduate.
No, the program is intended for people involved in research and/or product development/innovation in women’s health, which is defined as activities falling within the spectrum from basic research through clinical development, but not clinical implementation and delivery. It is fine if you are conducting women’s health research and also treating patients, but your work must already have the research element.
No, it is completely free of charge.
Yes, if you are selected you may suggest a potential mentor and ask them to apply. Program staff will attempt to arrange the mentorship if deemed appropriate but cannot guarantee that the requested mentor would agree.
No, the program would provide you with an economy air ticket, hotel accommodations, and meals at the meetings, which would be held at a location to be determined in Africa. You would be reimbursed after the event for other costs you incur for taxis, meals not already provided, and visa costs (if required).
Yes, NAM staff will work with Fellows to determine which event or events would be of greatest interest to them. Their mentors might also be helpful in recommending conferences that would be useful in expanding their professional networks. The program would pay the registration fees (if any), purchase the economy air tickets, and arrange and pay for the hotel accommodations. Fellows will be reimbursed after the meeting or conference for meals, ground transportation, and visa fees (if any).
If your mentor wishes to invite you for a collaborative visit, this would be possible. However, please keep in mind that due to budget restrictions, visits could likely be no longer than a week or two (not to exceed the total professional development allowance that each Fellow will have available).
No. This is a non-salaried fellowship opportunity. However, the fellowship offers a comprehensive support package that includes a laptop, internet coverage, and transportation and accommodation for all in-person activities, including networking events. All required participation costs are covered. Fellows are also entitled to a Professional Development allowance, managed by the US-National Academy of Medicine on their behalf, to support approved activities such as attendance at a scientific conference; this allowance is not disbursed directly to fellows.
No, these funds will be managed by NAM, which will pay directly for your air and hotel accommodations and reimburse you after the trip for smaller out-of-pocket costs like meals and taxis.
By the end of the one-year program, each Fellow will be expected to produce a grant proposal that is ready for submission to another funding organization. Fellows will also need to commit to participating in the in-person convenings and the virtual sessions. Occasional absences from the virtual sessions due to unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances will be allowed, but Fellows who fail to participate fully (repeatedly missing virtual training sessions, failing to log on for scheduled virtual meetings with their mentors, or neglecting homework assignments) will lose their professional development travel support and will not receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
Mentors are expected to be available for virtual meetings with their Fellow-mentees at least monthly during the course of the year. They are also expected to attend the NAM Annual Meeting or NAM Emerging Leaders Forum if at all possible if their mentees will be participating. If mentors are unable to attend, it may be possible to arrange for an in-person meeting at another event.
No, the program will be conducted entirely in English, so applicants MUST be able to speak and understand English sufficiently to function without the need for interpreters.
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CONTACT US
LEA-WH Fellowship Program,
House Number 12,
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI),
P.O. Box 54840-00200,
Nairobi Kenya.
Phone: +254113417746
WhatsApp: +254113417746
Email: lea-wh@rctp.or.ke
Kenya Medical Research Institute
P.O Box 54840, 00200
Mbagathi Road,
Off Raila Odinga Way
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (254) 0202722541/4,
0713112853/4
graduateschool@kemri.go.ke
