About the Fellowship
To address the gaps in the pipeline, the BWIS Fellowship Programme was established as a structured, nationally recognised pathway for developing Black women in science.
What began as a support initiative has evolved into a nationally accredited, outcomes-driven programme that equips Fellows with both academic and industry-relevant skills. The programme is designed not only to support women in continuing their academic journeys, but to position them for employment, leadership, and enterprise opportunities within the science ecosystem.
The Fellowship is delivered through a blended learning model, aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and moderated through SETA structures to ensure quality, credibility, and national recognition.
Core Areas of Development
The Fellowship focuses on three accredited areas of scientific and professional development:
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Scientific Writing (NQF Level 4)
Equipping Fellows with the ability to produce high-quality research outputs, academic publications, and technical documentation. -
Scientific Communication (NQF Level 4)
Developing the skills to communicate complex scientific ideas effectively across academic, industry, media, and policy platforms. -
Scientific Entrepreneurship (NQF Level 5)
Enabling Fellows to translate scientific knowledge into innovation, business ventures, and commercially viable solutions.
Beyond the Curriculum
In addition to accredited learning, the Fellowship provides:
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Professional development and leadership exposure
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Access to mentorship and industry networks
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Opportunities for employment, collaboration, and enterprise development
Through initiatives like BWIS Synergy Day, Fellows are directly connected to industry, creating pathways into jobs, partnerships, and innovation opportunities.
