The African Research Fellowship (ARF) Program 2025 is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to empower African researchers to engage in cutting-edge Earth Observation (EO) research and development activities.
Jointly carried out by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the African Union Commission (AUC), this program offers a unique opportunity for African scientists to work alongside ESA experts at the ESA-ESRIN premises in Frascati, Italy.
Launched successfully in 2021 with six African Fellows, the ARF Program has already made significant strides in addressing key challenges facing the African continent, particularly in the areas of water resource management and food security.
Now, with the 2025 call, ESA is offering 1-year fellowships to four exceptional African researchers to continue this important work.
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Objectives of the African Research Fellowship Program 2025
Apply Now: ESA’s African Research Fellowship 2025 Offers 1-Year Opportunity for Innovative Earth Observation Projects in Italy
The ARF Program is a key component of the broader EO AFRICA (African Framework for Research, Innovation, Communities, and Applications) initiative.
EO AFRICA aims to build a robust African-European R&D partnership to promote the adoption of Earth Observation and space technology across Africa.
The program is driven by African user needs and adopts a long-term vision for the emerging digital era in Africa.The specific objectives of the African Research Fellowship Program 2025 are:
- To support R&D activities that leverage EO data to address major African challenges and knowledge gaps, contributing to both African and global environmental and development agendas.
- To promote the use of ICT capabilities to maximize the exploitation of EO data in Africa, while encouraging an open science approach that emphasizes the sharing of data, results, and knowledge throughout the value chain.
By empowering the next generation of African researchers to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions using EO data, the ARF Program enables policymakers and civil society to address critical social, environmental, and economic issues facing the continent.
Research Areas
The African Research Fellowship Program 2025 invites applicants to propose 1-year R&D projects focused on either Water Resource Management or Food Security, utilizing Earth Observation satellite data.
Water Resource Management
Proposals in this area may address topics such as:
- Sustainable water use practices
- Drought monitoring and prediction
- Flood risk assessment and management
- Groundwater mapping and monitoring
- Water quality assessment using remote sensing
Food Security
Proposals in this area may focus on issues such as:
- Crop yield prediction and monitoring
- Agricultural water use efficiency
- Soil health and fertility assessment
- Pest and disease detection in crops
- Impact of climate change on agriculture
Proposals that address smallholder needs (e.g., farming, agricultural water use, regenerative agriculture, water productivity, irrigation systems, nutrient management, pest infestations) or issues related to coastal processes (e.g., ecosystems, coastal waters, geomorphology, coastal urbanization, tourism) and fisheries (e.g., aquaculture, habitat suitability, algal blooms, impacts of climate change) are especially encouraged.
Support for African Research Fellows
The research activities of the African Research Fellows will be aligned with the EO AFRICA R&D Initiative, which provides training and scientific tools to support their work.
Fellows will have access to the expertise and resources of the EO AFRICA Space Academy and its Digital Campus, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with European scientists through the EO AFRICA Innovation Lab.
Application Process
To apply for the African Research Fellowship Program 2025, candidates must submit the following documents:
- Research Proposal (using the template provided with the ARF package)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a list of recent publications (maximum 3 pages)
- Copy of Identification (preferably passport)
- Scan of PhD or Master’s Diploma
- Two (2) Reference Letters
Applicants should download the application package, which contains:
- Technical information on the general tasks covered by the proposal and logistical aspects
- Proposal submission template
- Privacy notice
Click here to download the application package
Important Dates
- Open call: 23 September 2024
- Submission of Proposals: 30 October 2024
- Communication of Results: January 2025
- Beginning of Activities in Frascati: June 2025
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the African Research Fellowship Program 2025, applicants must:
- Be citizens of an African country
- Hold a PhD or Master’s degree with extensive research experience in Earth Observation
- Propose a research project focused on Water Resource Management or Food Security, utilizing Earth Observation satellite data
- Be proficient in English, the working language of the program
- Be available to begin their activities at the ESA-ESRIN premises in Frascati, Italy, no later than June 2025
- Commit to a full-time, one-year research fellowship
Benefits of the African Research Fellowship Program
The African Research Fellowship Program offers a wide range of benefits to participants, including:
- Access to world-class facilities and resources at the ESA-ESRIN premises in Frascati, Italy
- Opportunity to work closely with ESA scientists who are experts in their fields
- Comprehensive training through the EO AFRICA Space Academy and its Digital Campus
- Networking opportunities with fellow African researchers and the broader ESA scientific community
- Support in implementing research ideas through the EO AFRICA Innovation Lab
- Encouragement to adopt an open science approach, sharing data, results, and knowledge with the broader scientific community
- Unique cultural experience of living and working in Italy for a year
Impact of the African Research Fellowship Program
The African Research Fellowship Program has the potential to make a significant impact on the African continent and beyond.
By advancing African science, addressing local challenges, building capacity, fostering international collaboration, influencing policy, driving technological innovation, and advancing individual careers, the program is helping to shape a brighter future for Africa.
Previous fellows have already achieved remarkable successes, such as developing innovative drought prediction models, creating comprehensive mapping systems for small-scale irrigation projects, pioneering new methods for detecting harmful algal blooms, and developing advanced crop yield prediction systems.
These successes demonstrate the tangible impact that the African Research Fellowship Program can have.
Conclusion
The African Research Fellowship Program 2025 represents an extraordinary opportunity for African researchers to contribute to cutting-edge scientific research while addressing critical challenges facing their continent.
By providing access to world-class facilities, expertise, and collaborative networks, this program is not just advancing individual careers – it’s helping to shape the future of African science and technology.
If you are an African researcher with a passion for Earth Observation and a commitment to addressing the challenges facing your continent, we encourage you to apply for this prestigious fellowship.
Together, we can harness the power of science and technology to build a brighter, more sustainable future for Africa and the world.
Click here to apply to the African Research FellowshipsFor any questions relating to this Call, please send an email to [email protected] not later than one (1) week before the Closing Date.
