Applications are currently being accepted for the AI4D Scholarship for Research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (2025).
This opportunity is offered to public universities that promote advanced study and research in AI (or its derivatives).
AI4D Scholarship Enhancing Doctoral and Early Career Research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Sub-Saharan Africa by Women Candidates
Details of application will be discussed in this post.
Also see: 2025 NIYEEDEP Initiatives for Youth Economic Empowerment
Summary of AI4D Scholarship for Research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (2025)
| Host | African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) |
| Category | Grants |
| Eligible Countries: | Sub-Saharan African Countries |
| Title | |
| Experience level | None |
| Benefits | Full Scholarship worth $41,500 | Travel and Research Expenses |
| Application method | online |
| Deadline | March 14, 2025 |
About African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
Acts, which stands for the African Centre for Technology Studies, is a non-profit organization that operates on an intergovernmental level and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
ACTS is an organization that was established in 1988 and is dedicated to conducting research on science and technology in development that is policy-oriented.
The organization’s primary focus is on sustainability in terms of the economy, society, and the environment.
As a key voice in Africa on issues pertaining to science, technology, and innovation policy, the African Council for Technology and Science (ACTS) has made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the continent through its activities.
About AI4D Scholarship for Research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (2025)
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) has obtained a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) to promote scholarships for women candidates in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The funds will go towards training PhD students in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), as well as research by Early Career Academics in AI and ML.
This program’s research must focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and address one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Scholarships will be awarded with the goal of ensuring a uniform distribution of beneficiaries across Francophone, Anglophone, and Lusophone Sub-Saharan Africa.
There will also be an effort to establish equitable distribution by region.
The financed studies must comply with responsible AI.
Scholarship Category
Category 1: Registered PhD Students
The invitation is aimed at female PhD candidates who have completed coursework and accepted research ideas. Scholarships will be awarded for a period of two years.
Selection will be based only on the quality of the candidates’ proposals.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be registered in an AI study (machine learning, expert systems, natural language processing, intelligent robotics) with a supervisor, have completed coursework, and have their research project approved.Â
- Applicants must submit a supervisor’s letter of support, a copy of their PhD acceptance letter, and evidence of research project approval.
- Applicants must have the technical capacity to develop sustainable AI solutions that solve social concerns in user communities.
- Applicants must have strong academic qualifications, motivation, and commitment to pursuing an academic career.
- Applicants must be proficient in their host university’s language of teaching. (French, Portuguese, or English).
- All applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of one of the eligible Sub-Saharan African countries. (Check the list of qualified nations above).
- the applicants must get the relevant national or other approvals to carry out the planned research.
- The approval process may run concurrently with the grant application.
Benefits
Each successful student will receive a partial scholarship of up to US$ 28,000 distributed as shown
below:
1. Tuition fees for two years up to $ 4,000
2. Research activities up to $ 24,000
Funding will be for 24 months
Category 2: Early Career Academics (ECAs)
This will primarily target ECAs with the ability to supervise at least MSc students.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a woman.
- Applicants must hold a PhD in AI or ML for no more than 5 years at the time of application.
- Applicants must have strong academic qualifications, motivation, and commitment to pursuing an academic career.
- Applicants must be natives or permanent residents of an appropriate sub-Saharan country (listed above).
- Applicants must get all relevant national or other approvals to perform their proposed study. The approval process may run concurrently with the grant application.
- Applicants must have the technical capacity to develop sustainable AI solutions that solve social concerns in user communities.
Benefits
Each successful ECA will receive a scholarship of up to US$ 41,500. This will cover:
- Â Research costs up to $ 25,000.
- Â Research infrastructure up to $ 10,000.
- Travel costs up to $ 2,500.
- Tuition fees for 2 MSc students for two years up to $ 4,000 (@ $2,000 per student).
Funding will be for 24 months
Capacity Strengthening
Complementary activities will be provided to develop the capacity of scholarship recipients, including PhD candidates and supervisors, ECA applicants, and MSc students.
- SRAIS (Scaling Responsible AI Solutions) mentoring.
- Sensitization of the responsible data collection framework.
- Scaling AI solutions.
- AI policy brief development.
- After 24 months, there will be one regional R&D conference.
Key Benefits
- Scholarships will cover academic expenditures such as projects/applications, tuition, and books.
- Collaborative Learning and Networking: Scholars will collaborate and connect with existing AI innovation hubs across the continent.
- Accessibility Support: Scholars will always have access to AI ethical toolkits. These materials will help scholars design responsible AI solutions that can be scaled and applied to many contexts.
- Mentorship and Ethics: Scholars will be partnered with mentors that specialize in responsible scaling of AI solutions.
How to Apply for AI4D Scholarship for Research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (2025)
All interested and eligible candidates for the various categories are to click the application link below to commence the application process.
Application closing date: March 14, 2025