The African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) is inviting nominations for the 2025 Women in Astronomy in Africa awards. AfNWA is a sub-committee of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) and collaborates with the International Science Programme (ISP) at Uppsala University, Sweden. The awards aim to recognise and support the scientific achievements and contributions of women in Astronomy in Africa.
Nomination Categories
- For 2025, the award is offered for the category of The Carolina Ödman-Govender early career astronomer (PhD holders within 5 years of PhD).
- Mid-career astronomer award (above 5 and below 15 years for PhD holders).
The awards will include a certificate to be presented at the next general meeting of the African Astronomical Society, hosted by the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), 22 – 27 March 2026, and GBP 1,500(USD 2,050). Depending on the general AfAS meeting organisation, awardees may have an opportunity to present their achievements as a contributed talk (in-person or online).
Eligibility
To qualify for the award, nominees should:
- Identify as a woman.
- Working in the field of astronomy on the African continent.
- Submit a nomination at this link before 10 February 2026. Self-nominations are welcome.
- The Prof. Carolina Ödman-Govender Early Career Astronomer Award is open to PhD holders within five years after their PhD.
- The mid-career astronomer award is open to PhD holders with up to 15 years of experience.
Application Process
- The review panel will be confirmed and constituted.
- Criteria for awards will then be decided by the AfNWA Board and the review panel and displayed on the AfNWA website.
- Nominations will then be collected through an online form.
- The AfNWA Board will follow up to verify nominations’ eligibility, collate nominations, and follow up on any necessary supporting documentation.
- The review panel receives the nominations, along with a scoring sheet based on the eligibility and awards criteria.
- All reviewers score independently and return their scoring sheets to the AfNWA Board for collating.
- Reviewers hold a virtual meeting to make a final decision.
- AfNWA Board approves outcomes.
- Outcomes are publicised – emailed to individuals and shared on the AfAS website.
- Awards are officially presented during the AfAS annual conference in 22 to 27 March 2026.
Timeline
| 26 December 2025 | Call for nominations opens |
| 10 February 2026 | Call for nominations closes |
| 15 February 2026 | Shortlist agreed |
| 25 February 2026 | The review panel meets to decide on the award |
| 15 March 2026 | Awards announced |
| 22-27 March 2026 | Prize winners who will receive an opportunity to present at the AfAS conference |
Further Information
For further information on the evaluation criteria, visit this link.
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