The AfOx Schmidt AI in Science Faculty Fellowship Programme

AfOx, in collaboration with The Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD) at Somerville College, University of Oxford, proudly introduces our seminal fellowship programme for early-career African faculty. This initiative, made possible through the Schmidt AI in Sciences Programme, funded by the Schmidt Sciences, seeks to advance scientific innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainable development. 

Programme overview

The fellowship focuses on three critical domains that align with our mission of promoting sustainable development: Climate Change; Food and Water Security; and STEM applications in Biomedical Research. 

We welcome applications from early career researchers who envision transformative applications of AI within these fields, regardless of their current expertise in artificial intelligence. 

A Unique Research Opportunity

This innovative programme offers unprecedented flexibility, allowing fellows to maintain their positions at their home institutions in Africa while accessing Oxford’s world-class research ecosystem. Through AfOx and OICSD’s combined expertise and network, the fellows will receive: 

Comprehensive training in cutting-edge AI methodologies 

Personalized mentorship from Oxford’s leading researchers 

Access to advanced computational resources and AI tools 

Opportunities for high-impact publications and international collaborations 

Integration into Oxford’s vibrant research community 

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups in academia, including women scientists. 

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“AfOx is thrilled to deepen our longstanding partnership with the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD) and Somerville College through the expanded Schmidt AI in Science Faculty Fellowship Programme. This growth is a significant step in advancing our shared commitment to equity, sustainability, and impact, ensuring that scientists and societies from the Global Majority not only benefit from AI technologies but also remain at the forefront of driving and shaping their future development.”
Dr Anne Makena, Co-Director of the Africa Oxford Initiative, and Somerville alumna
Programme structure

Fellows will engage in a carefully curated programme that combines technical training, research development, and professional growth opportunities. Through close collaboration with Oxford’s distinguished faculty, fellows will develop the expertise needed to lead AI-driven innovation in their respective fields. 

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“The Schmidt AI in Science Faculty Fellowship Programme will bring together exceptional talent from India and Africa at the University of Oxford. We are not just aiming to advance scientific knowledge but championing a truly global approach to understanding and solving complex challenges. It represents our commitment to democratize opportunities, build bridges through effective collaboration and support talented researchers in their work.”
Baroness Jan Royall of Blaisdon, Principal of Somerville College
Eligibility Criteria for African Faculty

Objectives: To identify and support exceptional early-career faculty based at African universities who are working on using AI to accelerate progress in other scientific fields. This programme aims to provide the faculty with the tools and training needed to apply state-of-the-art AI and machine learning methods for maximum impact in their particular area of scientific research. The programme will enable the faculty to develop and apply AI techniques across engineering, and the natural and mathematical sciences while maintaining their positions at their home institutions in Africa and establish strong cross-disciplinary collaborative links with academic colleagues in Oxford. 

Note, we do not expect prospective faculty to be experts in AI and/or machine learning. 

We expect that they are leading researchers in a scientific domain (of those outlined below) but should have identified an opportunity where AI and/or machine learning could feasibly lead to a step-change in their domain. 

Please note these faculty fellowships are open to academics working in one (or more) of the following three priority application areas of AI: 

  1. Climate Change, Environment, and Biodiversity. 
  2. Food and Water Security. 
  3. STEM underpinning Biomedical Research. 

We note that projects working directly on medical data or towards clinical outcomes, including projects involving patient records and clinical trials, are not eligible through this scheme. 

Eligibility

The applicants should:


Be Citizen of an African country and a Resident in an African country. 
Hold a PhD degree or equivalent. 
Be currently employed at a university or an academic institute in Africa. 
Be within the first 6 years of their current faculty appointment. 
Have an active research program on using AI to accelerate progress in scientific fields OR have a promising research idea to demonstrate how AI can embellish scientific progress, while also 
considering potential ethical implications.