African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is Calling for Applications: Fellowship in Advocacy for Evidence-Informed Policy Making

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is pleased to announce a short-term training fellowship designed to empower African policy actors with the knowledge and tools to advocate for and utilize research evidence in policymaking processes. This initiative is part of APHRC’s commitment to bridging the persistent gap between research findings and their effective application in shaping public policies across Africa.

Fellowship Overview

This two-month fellowship, commencing in August 2025, invites teams of policy actors from East African countries to participate in a structured program focused on enhancing the capacity for evidence-informed policymaking. Policy actors, as defined by the program, include individuals and groups directly or indirectly involved in policy formulation or implementation—such as government officials, researchers, practitioners, civil society members, and community leaders.

The fellowship is divided into four key phases:

• Phase 1: Virtual Kick-off Session (August 6, 2025 | 9:00–11:00 AM EAT)
  This introductory session will orient participants, facilitate discussions on policy-relevant themes, establish expectations and deliverables, and offer a platform for networking and shared learning around participants’ prior experiences with policymaking and evidence use.
• Phase 2: In-Person Capacity-Building Workshop (August 13–15, 2025 | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM EAT)
  A three-day intensive workshop offering training modules on the policy process, evidence synthesis, stakeholder analysis, policy brief development, advocacy techniques, and effective communication strategies for engaging decision-makers.
• Phase 3: Policy Brief Development (One-hour weekly virtual sessions)
  Throughout this phase, participating teams will develop a high-quality policy brief under the guidance of expert mentors. The virtual sessions will ensure sustained progress and professional support.
• Phase 4: In-Person Dissemination and Learning Workshop (September 15, 2025 | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM EAT)
  This final convening will allow teams to present their policy briefs to stakeholders, share lessons learned, and receive feedback to strengthen their advocacy efforts.

Eligibility and Application Criteria

The fellowship is open to country-based teams of 3–5 individuals. Only team-based applications will be considered; individual submissions are not eligible. While five members can constitute a team, only three will be supported to attend the in-person workshop, and one member—ideally the team lead—will participate in the final convening.

Each team must include:

• At least one policymaker: Individuals engaged in the development or implementation of public policies (e.g., government officials, ministers, local representatives, community leaders).
• At least one researcher or technical expert: Professionals from academia, research institutions, ministries, departments, or agencies.
• Practitioners or civil society representatives: Individuals working in program implementation or advocacy in relevant sectors.

Only one team per country will be selected.

Thematic Areas

Applications must focus on existing evidence relevant to one or more of the following topics:

• Nutrition and Food Systems
• Early Childhood Development
• Sexual, Reproductive, and Adolescent Health
• Chronic Diseases
• Aging Population in Africa
• Urbanization and Sustainability
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health
• Education and Youth Empowerment
• Mental Health
• Marginal Populations (e.g., refugees, informal settlements)
• Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases
• Health Systems
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

Benefits of Participation

Selected fellows will gain:

• Advanced skills in evidence use, synthesis, and policy advocacy.
• Ongoing mentorship to support the development of a robust policy brief.
• Networking opportunities with policymakers, researchers, and fellow advocates across the continent.
• A platform to present their work to key stakeholders and promote national-level engagement.
• A competitive award of USD 1,000–2,000 to support continued policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement efforts after the fellowship.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

• Cover Sheet with team member names, roles, and contact details.
• Motivation Statement (max one page): Outlining the team’s interest in the program, prior experience with research or policy, the evidence gap to be addressed, and the proposed stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Curriculum Vitae (max two pages per team member).
• Supporting Material: One document (publication, technical report, or strategic plan) demonstrating the existing evidence base to inform the policy brief.
• Letter of Support from a relevant institutional authority, confirming participation and availability for all activities.

Teams must be able to commit fully to the fellowship timeline and activities. Primary data collection is not feasible due to the program’s short duration, and all outputs must rely on existing evidence.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by July 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM EAT via the link titled Call for Application: Training Fellowship in Advocacy for Evidence-Informed Policy Making.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.