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The Next Einstein Forum (NEF), an initiative of African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and Robert Bosch Stiftung, has opened application for the third class of its NEF fellowship programme. The selected NEF Fellows will be joining 35 top African scientists who are Fellows from the two previous classes of the programme.

The NEF Fellows programme recognises Africa’s best young scientists and technologists. These innovators and emerging leaders, at least 40 percent of whom are women, will have two main opportunities as a NEF Fellow, namely to advance their scientific career and inspire the next generation of African innovators.

According to a statement released by the NEF on Wednesday, the application is open to Africans in all fields of sciences, including the social sciences and technology. Africans in the diaspora can also apply.

Applicants must be 42 years of age or younger by December 31, 2019. They must also hold a PhD in a field of science and demonstrate a track record of research and findings that have global impact. Application opens on November 15 and closes on January 27, 2019. Final selection by the Scientific Programme Committee will take place in March 2019 and publication of results will be on June 15, 2019.

The selected NEF Fellows will be presenting their research at the next NEF Global Gathering that will take place in Nairobi, Kenya in March 2020.

“The Fellows Programme is unique. It gives incredible African scientists a global platform for scientific collaboration, science diplomacy and public engagement,” said Dr Youssef Travaly, NEF’s Vice President for Science, Innovation and Partnerships. “The Fellows, through the various NEF programs and their own research activities, will have an opportunity to chart Africa’s scientific trajectory.”

Travaly, who is also in charge of the NEF Fellows Programme, added that NEF Fellows are role models for young Africans, making science cool and most importantly, making science relevant for Africa’s transformation.

Earlier in March, the NEF held the 2018 Global Gathering in Rwanda. The event is touted as the largest scientific gathering on African soil, with over 1,500 participants from 91 countries. As a global platform that connects science, society and policy in Africa and the rest of the world, NEF aims to leverage science for human development globally.

“The NEF Fellows, through their research, continue to demonstrate to the world that Africa can be a source of scientific excellence and globally relevant breakthroughs,” said Thierry Zomahoun, Chairman of NEF and CEO of AIMS. “The NEF Fellows are breaking barriers and fostering global collaboration for Africa and the world’s development ambitions.”

Launched in 2013, NEF believes that Africa’s contributions to the global scientific community are critical for global progress. It also considers young people as the driving force of Africa’s scientific renaissance. At the 2018 Global Gatherings, over 60 percent of the participants were under 42 years of age.

In addition to the NEF Fellows, the forum is also looking to build a team of 54 NEF Ambassadors who will be science and technology ambassadors chosen from each African country. The NEF Ambassadors will also run the NEF Africa Science Week in their respective countries.