EWAP Research Fellowship Programme 2027

The Enhanced Weathering Africa Partnership (EWAP) has opened applications for its EWAP Research Fellowship Programme 2027, a selective 12 week learning and research programme designed to support the development of Africa’s next generation of enhanced weathering researchers.

The fellowship is primarily delivered online and will bring together up to 10 emerging researchers from different academic and professional backgrounds. Participants will learn from EWAP researchers and guest experts, strengthen practical research skills, receive mentoring and feedback, collaborate with peers, and become part of an Africa centred international research community.

The programme is particularly relevant to researchers interested in the connections between enhanced weathering, climate change, agriculture, soil systems, sustainability, carbon removal, climate finance, policy and African development priorities. The programme is interdisciplinary and welcomes applicants whose expertise can contribute to research on enhanced weathering in African contexts.

About the Fellowship

The EWAP Research Fellowship Programme is designed to take participants from foundational understanding of enhanced weathering through to developing their own research contribution. Fellows will explore the scientific, social, policy and practical questions surrounding enhanced weathering and its potential relevance to African contexts.

The programme is divided into four main learning phases. The first three weeks focus on research foundations and introduce enhanced weathering, African research contexts and questions that cross science and society.

Weeks four to six focus on evidence and research practice. Fellows will develop skills in critical reading, research design and evaluating the evidence required for credible research.

Weeks seven to nine examine systems and implementation, including soils, agronomy, monitoring, reporting and verification, logistics, sustainability, policy, finance and responsible implementation.

The final three weeks focus on moving from learning to contribution. Fellows will participate in mentoring, collaborative work, group presentations and reflection while planning their next research steps.

Fellowship Benefits

• No application fee

• No participation fee

• 12 week structured learning and research programme

• Expert led sessions with EWAP researchers and guest experts

• Mentoring and research feedback

• Practical research exercises

• Peer collaboration across disciplines

• Opportunity to develop research ideas for publications, proposals and collaborative projects

• Access to an Africa centred international research community

• Certificate of Completion for fellows who successfully meet programme requirements

• Opportunity to strengthen research skills relevant to enhanced weathering and African climate priorities

Programme Areas

The fellowship has an interdisciplinary focus and welcomes research interests connected to:

• Environmental and climate science

• Agriculture

• Soil science

• Geochemistry

• Engineering

• Monitoring, reporting and verification

• Sustainability

• Economics

• Business and supply chains

• Policy and governance

• Carbon markets

• Climate finance

• Related disciplines contributing to enhanced weathering research in African contexts

Eligibility Criteria

EWAP welcomes Expressions of Interest from:

• Final year undergraduate students

• Master’s students

• PhD candidates

• Early career researchers

Applicants should:

• Have a serious interest in research relevant to African climate, agriculture or sustainability priorities

• Be interested in enhanced weathering and its potential applications in African contexts

• Be able to commit to the full 12 week programme

• Be prepared to participate actively in sessions and programme activities

• Be willing to collaborate across disciplines

• Have an academic or professional background that can contribute meaningfully to enhanced weathering research

Applicants from related disciplines may also be considered where their expertise provides a valuable perspective.

Required Application Materials

The application takes place in two stages.

For the Expression of Interest, applicants should provide:

• Basic personal and academic or professional information

• Discipline and career stage

• Research interests

• Motivation statement of up to 250 words

• Confirmation that they can commit to the 12 week programme

Applicants can also indicate that they would like to receive an invitation to the optional EWAP Information Webinar.

Applicants selected after the Expression of Interest stage will be invited to submit the full application. The full application requires:

• Current CV of no more than two pages, including referee names

• Motivation and programme fit statement of up to 500 words

• Proposed EWAP related research interest or question of up to 300 words

• Confirmation of availability and active participation

Selection Criteria

Applications for the full fellowship will be assessed according to the following published criteria:

• Motivation and commitment: 30 percent

• Academic and research potential: 25 percent

• Interest in enhanced weathering: 20 percent

• Leadership and collaboration: 15 percent

• Contribution to cohort diversity: 10 percent

The selection process is designed to identify applicants who demonstrate strong motivation, research potential, genuine interest in enhanced weathering and the ability to contribute constructively to an interdisciplinary cohort.

Key Dates

• Expression of Interest opens: October 1, 2026

• Information Webinar: October 23, 2026

• Expression of Interest deadline: November 6, 2026

• Full application invitations: November 13, 2026

• Full application deadline: November 27, 2026

• Outcomes communicated: December 14, 2026

• Acceptance deadline: December 18, 2026

• Cohort onboarding and preparation: January 2027

• Fellowship programme: February 1 to April 19, 2027

How to Apply

1. Review the EWAP Research Fellowship Programme information and Launch Pack carefully.
2. Confirm that your academic or professional background and research interests align with the programme.
3. Prepare your academic or professional background information, research interests and motivation.
4. Submit the Expression of Interest by November 6, 2026.
5. If interested, indicate in the Expression of Interest that you would like to attend the optional Information Webinar on October 23, 2026.
6. If selected after the Expression of Interest stage, prepare the full application materials.
7. Submit your two page CV, motivation and programme fit statement, proposed research interest or question, and confirmation of availability.
8. Submit the full application by November 27, 2026.

The EWAP Research Fellowship Programme provides an opportunity for emerging researchers to develop knowledge and practical research capabilities in an emerging area connecting climate science, agriculture, carbon removal, sustainability and African development. With a small founding cohort, interdisciplinary learning, expert engagement and mentoring, the programme is structured to help participants move from understanding enhanced weathering to identifying meaningful research questions and potential contributions within African contexts.