Apply for Project Kuongoza for Women and Girls 2026/2027 - a free 6-month STEM mentorship and fellowship across Africa & MENA.
Applications are officially open for the 6th cohort of Project Kuongoza for Women and Girls 2026/2027, the flagship digital mentorship and leadership fellowship organized by STEMi Makers of Africa under its STEMi Women initiative. Designed to dismantle barriers and close the persistent gender divide across Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMi), the program has empowered over 2,800 young women and girls from 22+ countries since 2021.
Derived from the Swahili word Kuongoza (meaning "to lead"), the fellowship matches ambitious emerging female researchers, software developers, engineers, data analysts, and innovators with high-impact industry leaders and executives for an immersive six-month structured mentoring journey. In addition to weekly 1-on-1 mentor touchpoints, participants take part in employability bootcamps, technical career workshops, leadership development seminars, and implement a community-centered capstone project to graduate as recognized Project Kuongoza Fellows.
Participation is 100% free with zero application or tuition fees, conducted entirely online to ensure accessibility for women residing in both urban innovation centers and rural communities across Sub-Saharan Africa and the MENA region. Applications close on November 30, 2026.
Quick Facts - Project Kuongoza for Women and Girls 2026/2027
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Convening Organization | STEMi Makers of Africa (STEMi Women Initiative) |
| Program Format | 100% Virtual / Remote 6-Month Digital Mentorship & Fellowship |
| Host Region & Landmark | Sub-Saharan Africa & MENA · Nairobi Skyline & KICC Tower Landmark 🇰🇪 |
| Program Duration | 6 Months (Cohort 6: 2026/2027 Academic & Professional Cycle) |
| Eligible Genders | Female / Young Women and Girls exclusively |
| Eligible Age Range | Ages 18 to 35 at the time of application |
| Eligible Geographic Scope | Sub-Saharan Africa & Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Nations |
| Eligible Disciplines | Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Innovation (STEMi) |
| Tuition & Fees | $0 (Completely Free of Charge) |
| Key Deliverable | Individual or Collaborative STEM Capstone Project |
| Credential Conferred | Official Project Kuongoza Fellow Certification & Alumni Network |
| Application Deadline | November 30, 2026 (23:59 GMT/UTC) |
| Application Portal | Official Project Kuongoza 2026/2027 Application Form |
About STEMi Makers of Africa & Project Kuongoza
STEMi Makers of Africa is a registered non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to transforming Africa's talent pipeline by equipping young learners with STEM literacy, technical problem-solving skills, and industry-grade tools. Through its country curators, chapters across 19+ nations, and strategic partnerships with public diplomacy missions, university departments, and global technology organizations, STEMi Makers of Africa bridges the school-to-workforce gap.
In Africa and the MENA region, women comprise nearly half of the population but represent a disproportionately low percentage of STEM university matriculants, software engineers, faculty researchers, and executive tech leaders. The lack of relatable, visible female role models is one of the single largest barriers preventing young women from pursuing technical careers. Project Kuongoza directly addresses this challenge by providing personal role models, psychological safety, and tangible career sponsorship.
Key Benefits & Fellowship Pillars
Selected fellows receive end-to-end guidance tailored to their specific career goals:
- Dedicated 1-on-1 Industry Mentorship: Matched with practicing female tech executives, researchers, engineering managers, and innovators based on shared disciplinary interests and professional ambitions.
- Employability & Career Acceleration: Comprehensive workshops on crafting competitive tech CVs, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, building GitHub/technical portfolios, tackling technical interviews, and negotiating compensation.
- Leadership & Confidence Coaching: Tailored modules designed to develop executive presence, public speaking, negotiation skills, emotional intelligence, and cross-cultural communication.
- Practical Capstone Project: Fellows conceptualize and execute a hands-on project addressing an authentic community, industrial, or scientific problem, demonstrating applied capability to future employers and graduate schools.
- Global Peer Network: Access to a vibrant, pan-African and MENA-wide sisterhood of thousands of ambitious women in STEM for lifelong collaboration, job referrals, and joint ventures.
- Project Kuongoza Fellow Credential: Upon completion of the capstone and mentoring milestones, graduates receive official certification and joining the esteemed alumni network.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the following criteria to be considered for Cohort 6:
- Gender: Must identify as a woman or female candidate.
- Age: Must be between 18 and 35 years of age as of the application date.
- Nationality & Residence: Must be a citizen or resident of an African country (Sub-Saharan Africa) or a Middle East & North Africa (MENA) nation.
- Disciplinary Alignment: Must be currently enrolled in tertiary education (undergraduate or postgraduate), an early-career professional working in a STEM field, or actively transitioning from another background into a STEM/tech pathway.
- Commitment: Must be willing to commit to regular digital mentoring meetings over the 6-month period (typically 2 - 4 hours per week) and implement a capstone project.
- No University Degree Required: Applicants from all educational backgrounds - from vocational training and high school diplomas to PhD candidates - are welcomed.
Eligible STEM & Innovation Fields
Project Kuongoza accommodates a diverse spectrum of technical and scientific disciplines, including but not limited to:
- Computer Science & IT: Software Engineering, Mobile App Development, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and Web Technologies.
- Data Science & Emerging Tech: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Robotics, and IoT.
- Engineering Disciplines: Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Biomedical, Aerospace, and Agricultural Engineering.
- Physical & Natural Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Geophysics, and Materials Science.
- Life Sciences & Health Tech: Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Digital Health Innovation.
- Mathematics & Quantitative Fields: Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, and Quantitative Finance.
- Green Tech & Sustainability: Environmental Science, Renewable Energy Systems, Climate Analytics, and Circular Economy Solutions.
Required Application Components
The online application form is straightforward and does not require extensive bureaucratic paperwork. Prepare the following details prior to submission:
- Biographical Information: Full name, email address, phone/WhatsApp number, age, country of residence, and country of origin.
- Academic & Professional Background: Current level of education, institution attended, field of study, and current employment/internship status.
- STEM Track & Goals: Explanation of your core area of interest within science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
- Statement of Motivation: Why you are applying for Project Kuongoza, what specific hurdles you face in your STEM journey, and how a mentor will assist you.
- Capstone Project Concept: A brief idea or problem statement you are interested in addressing through your capstone assignment during the fellowship.
- Agreement of Commitment: Confirmation of your readiness to actively engage throughout the full 6-month mentoring cycle.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Access the Official Portal: Open the Project Kuongoza 2026/2027 Google Application Form.
- Complete the Profile Sections: Enter your verified contact details and academic/career background accurately.
- Articulate Your Mentorship Expectations: Be specific about the type of mentor who would best support your current stage (e.g., transition into data science, thesis guidance, first job preparation, or leadership scaling).
- Draft Your Motivation Clearly: Write concise, authentic responses that highlight your curiosity, drive, and dedication to giving back to your community.
- Review and Submit: Double-check all entries for accuracy and submit before the hard deadline on November 30, 2026.
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- Global Leadership Dialogue 2027
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Project Kuongoza 2026/2027
What is the application deadline?
Applications close promptly on November 30, 2026. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit early to ensure mentor matching compatibility.
Is there any application or program fee?
No. Project Kuongoza is completely free of charge ($0). There are no application fees, tuition payments, or hidden costs at any stage.
Do I need a background or degree in STEM to apply?
You do not need a completed university degree. Women who are self-taught, attending bootcamps, enrolled in vocational training, or transitioning into STEM from humanities/business disciplines are welcome to apply.
How are mentors paired with mentees?
STEMi Makers of Africa utilizes a structured matching framework based on complementary technical interests, mutual goals, and shared language/regional dynamics.
What is the capstone project?
The capstone is a hands-on project that can be technical (e.g., building an app, publishing a research analysis, designing an engineering prototype) or social (e.g., organizing a local community STEM workshop for schoolgirls). Completing it earns you the official Project Kuongoza Fellow title.
