About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) has officially opened applications for the 2026 African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship, inviting scientists, extension specialists, and educators across Africa to apply for grants of USD $5,000 to strengthen agricultural outreach, training, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The fellowship is designed to support professionals working to improve plant nutrient management and soil fertility practices across African farming systems.
Through the program, APNI aims to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based agricultural innovations that enhance crop productivity, improve soil health, and contribute to long-term food security across the continent.
Applications are open until 21 September 2026, with proposals accepted in English or French.
About the African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship
The African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship supports outreach projects that bridge the gap between agricultural research and practical implementation.
Rather than funding basic research alone, the fellowship emphasizes activities that improve the communication, dissemination, and adoption of proven soil fertility management practices among farmers, agricultural practitioners, and extension networks.
Successful applicants will receive USD $5,000 to implement innovative outreach initiatives that promote efficient and sustainable plant nutrition across diverse African agro-ecosystems.
The fellowship is administered by the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), a not-for-profit research and education organization established in 2019 and headquartered in Benguérir, Morocco.
Fellowship Objectives
The initiative seeks to strengthen agricultural knowledge transfer by supporting projects that address existing knowledge gaps and improve farmer access to practical solutions for soil fertility management.
Applicants are encouraged to propose activities that include:
Development of innovative communication tools
Training workshops and farmer education programs
Data synthesis and knowledge-sharing initiatives
Extension activities promoting improved nutrient management
Travel supporting outreach and collaboration
Implementation strategies that encourage adoption of sustainable agricultural practices
APNI places particular emphasis on projects capable of creating measurable impact within farming communities while strengthening collaboration among researchers, extension professionals, universities, and development organizations.
Priority Research and Outreach Areas
Applicants are expected to align their proposals with at least one of APNI’s strategic priority initiatives.
Priority areas include:
4R Nutrient Stewardship
Nutrient and Water Management Innovations for Resilient Agriculture in African Drylands
Soil Health Nutrient Management and Diagnostics
Precision Farming
Farmer-led On-farm Innovation
Projects that demonstrate strong partnerships and collaboration across institutions or sectors will receive favorable consideration during the evaluation process.
Fellowship Benefits
Each successful applicant will receive:
Study Grants & Scholarships
USD $5,000 to implement an approved outreach project
Financial support for communication and extension activities
Opportunities to strengthen farmer education and capacity building
Support for knowledge dissemination and innovation adoption
Recognition through one of Africa’s leading agricultural research organizations
The fellowship is intended to expand the impact of ongoing agricultural work by supporting practical outreach rather than large-scale research projects.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to professionals actively working within Africa’s agricultural research and extension systems.
Eligible applicants include full-time:
Research Fellowships
Scientists
Extension specialists
Agricultural educators
Applicants must currently work in one of the following institutions:
National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES)
African universities
Non-profit organizations
Private-sector agricultural organizations.
Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare several supporting documents before beginning the online application process.
Required application materials include:
A detailed proposal describing how the fellowship will improve outreach or implementation of appropriate soil fertility management practices
A description of planned activities, including new initiatives, communication tools, training events, travel, or data synthesis supported by the fellowship
Two signed letters of support, including one from the applicant’s supervisor
A current résumé or curriculum vitae outlining academic qualifications, publications, and communication products related to soil fertility management
Supporting documents uploaded in PDF format
At the conclusion of the fellowship period, recipients will also be required to submit a short report explaining how the grant funds were used and the outcomes achieved.
Strong Proposals Will Demonstrate
According to APNI, competitive applications should clearly show:
Innovation in agricultural outreach
Practical impact on soil fertility management
Evidence-based approaches
Potential for scaling knowledge adoption
Collaboration and partnerships
Alignment with APNI’s strategic priorities
Projects that help accelerate farmer adoption of sustainable nutrient management practices are expected to be particularly competitive.
Important Deadline
Applicants should take note of the following key date:
Application deadline: 21 September 2026
Interested candidates are encouraged to prepare all required documentation well before the deadline to ensure a complete submission.
Why the Fellowship Matters
Across Africa, declining soil fertility remains one of the major constraints to agricultural productivity. While significant advances have been made in research on nutrient management, many smallholder farmers continue to face challenges accessing practical, locally relevant information.
Study Grants & Scholarships
The APNI Outreach Fellowship seeks to address this gap by supporting professionals who can translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions that improve farming outcomes.
By investing in extension services, communication strategies, and farmer-centered innovation, the fellowship contributes to more resilient agricultural systems capable of supporting sustainable food production across the continent.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship offers African agricultural professionals an opportunity to strengthen the impact of their work through targeted outreach and knowledge-sharing initiatives. With USD $5,000 available for each successful applicant, the fellowship supports innovative projects that promote better soil fertility management, efficient plant nutrition, and sustainable agricultural development.
Scientists, extension specialists, and educators working across Africa are encouraged to develop proposals that address real-world challenges, foster collaboration, and accelerate the adoption of proven agricultural practices. As APNI continues its mission of enhancing plant nutrition for a resilient and food-secure Africa, this fellowship provides an important platform for advancing practical solutions that benefit farmers and communities across the continent
How to apply