AI Fellowship Opens New Opportunities for African Drug Discovery Researchers

African scientists working in drug discovery are being encouraged to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate research into infectious diseases affecting the continent.

Researchers who recently contributed to the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry highlighted the gap in Africa’s contribution to global scientific research, estimating that the continent accounts for only about 2 to 3 percent of worldwide scientific output. This comes despite Africa being home to more than 85 percent of the global burden of neglected tropical diseases.

A new six-month AI Incubator for African Principal Investigators aims to help address some of these challenges by providing practical mentorship and financial support to researchers incorporating open-source AI tools into ongoing drug discovery work.

The programme is designed for senior researchers, as well as teams of up to four scientists, working at academic or nonprofit institutions within the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region.

Applicants must already be involved in a drug discovery project involving small molecules, including isolated natural products, and focused on infectious diseases. Eligible areas include malaria, tuberculosis, Gram-negative bacterial infections and neglected tropical diseases.

PhD students are also eligible to take the lead on applications, provided they have written support from their principal investigator.

Selected participants will receive biweekly mentoring throughout the six-month programme, sponsored travel and a $10,000 fellowship. The funding can be used for a range of research and professional expenses, including laptops, internet access, conference participation, article processing fees, laboratory reagents, molecule purchases and researcher stipends.

The programme also provides provisions for researchers to retain ownership of their data and research findings, under an agreement that references the African Union Data Policy Framework.

Organisers say the initiative is intended to strengthen the capacity of African researchers to use emerging AI technologies in drug discovery while supporting research into diseases that continue to have a significant impact across the continent.

Applications close on October 19, 2026.