Mentorship for Early-Career Women Working in Vaccinology
Mentorship for Early-Career Women Working in Vaccinology supports women in vaccine development in Africa through mentoring, leadership training, and professional networks to advance their careers.
Funder: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Due Dates: October 15, 2026 (Applications open) | December 31, 2026, 11:59 PM (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Workshop financial support and cohort travel support; mentorship from May 2027 through June 2028
Summary: A mentorship program supporting early-career women in vaccine development in Africa through career development, leadership training, and professional networks.
Key Information: Applicants must be within 10 years of graduation and available for a mid-May 2027 workshop in Kigali, Rwanda.
Description
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, with support from the Gates Foundation, runs this mentorship program for early-career women working in vaccine development in Africa. It aims to strengthen career advancement and leadership skills, foster relationships across institutions and countries, and build a lasting professional support network. Vaccine development is defined broadly, including research and development, regulation, and distribution. The program focuses on career-development skills rather than technical training in vaccine development.
Participants join six mentorship groups, each bringing together six African mentees and two mentors—one from Africa and one from the United States. The year-long program combines an initial two-day, in-person workshop with virtual training and peer-mentorship exchanges. Workshop participants identify their needs and develop mentorship plans, with subsequent training shaped by their priorities.
