Calestous Juma Fellows - Cape Town, South Africa - November 2025
Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship
Scientific progress is driven by leaders with an ambitious, creative vision for the future, a collaborative spirit, the desire and skills to inspire others, and the ability to advance and strengthen global health infrastructure beyond their own research.
The Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship backs great scientists and emerging leaders based in countries across Africa. Individually, the fellows are working on research projects that advance a wide range of Gates Foundation priorities in global health. Collectively, they strive to strengthen the pan-African R&D ecosystem. Inspired by Dr. Calestous Juma, a pioneering firebrand in African science innovation, the Juma Fellowship was launched in 2021.
Science Meets Leadership
Grand Challenges supports exceptional scientists with the expertise to do breakthrough R&D as well as the experience, networks, and skills to excel as scientific leaders. These champions co-create projects with global partners, mobilize key institutions in their countries, and improve public health in their communities and around the world.
As trusted experts and thought leaders in the eyes of their peers and policymakers, the Fellows are focused on both their scientific programs and advocating to affect national, regional, continental, and global change to advance public health.
The Juma Fellowship Approach
The Juma Fellowship focuses on bringing together accomplished innovators to form a community of global health opinion shapers and influencers. In addition to scientific funding, the Gates Foundation provides targeted professional development to support fellows as they expand their networks, amplify their voices, and prepare to build a dynamic, resilient R&D ecosystem that changes the lives of people living not only in Africa but around the world.
Working together is how these champions of science are forging comprehensive partnerships in global health.