Open date: August 1st, 2026
Deadline: Wednesday 9 September 2026

Background
The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) recognizes scientific excellence by electing to its membership outstanding scholars who have attained the highest level of excellence in their scientific field and have made significant contributions to the advancement of science regionally and globally. AAS Fellows are elected for life through a rigorous peer review process on the basis of excellence in their publications record, innovations, leadership roles and contribution to policy and society.

There is no age limit and AAS encourages nomination of female scientists and deserving scholars from under- represented disciplines. Candidates may be nominated from all scientific disciplines grouped into ten AAS scientific clusters:

1. Agricultural & Nutritional Sciences.
2. Biosciences.
3. Chemical Sciences.
4. Cultural Humanities & Social Sciences.
5. Engineering, Technology & Applied Sciences.
6. Mathematical Sciences.
7. Geological, Environmental, Earth & Space Sciences.
8. Medical & Health Sciences.
9. Physical Sciences.
10. Policy Sciences.

The AAS Fellowship has three categories of recognition: Fellows, Associate Fellows and Honorary Fellows.

Fellows are elected from among active and outstanding African scientists residing in Africa or elsewhere, non- African scientists who have taken citizenship of an African nation, and
Africa-born scientists who have taken citizenship outside Africa and have attained the highest international standards and/or have made significant contribution to the development and application of science, technology and innovation in Africa as well as in the development of other scientists.

Nomination requirements for Fellows

Only AAS Fellows and Associate Fellows can nominate candidates to the AAS Fellowship. One Fellow/ Associate Fellow nominates and each nomination is seconded by another Fellow/ Associate Fellow. Prospective nominees must meet the following requirements:

Requirements:

To be considered for nomination into AAS Fellowship, candidates must:

• Have obtained a PhD or equivalent qualifications no less than 10 years before the year of nomination
• Have an H-index of 20 and above in either of (Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of science and ResearchGate) and not necessarily all. However, this is NOT applicable to social scientists.
• Have at least one journal article with 100 or more citations.
• Be a first author, senior or corresponding author or last author in at least 50% of the 10 submitted articles.
• Candidates for Associate Fellows who are members of an Academy in their home country or region will have an added advantage.

Candidates for Associate Fellowship must:

• Demonstrate contributions that they have made to Africa. For example, they can demonstrate supervision of several African masters and doctoral students and published papers based on research in Africa with a substantial number of the African research papers having African first authors. Special consideration will be made to the associate fellows who are Social Scientists regarding publishing of papers. (See Annex 1)
• Be currently active and if not, clearly state on the form, what contribution they would make to the advancement of science and/or scholarship in Africa.
• Demonstrate outstanding scientific leadership and citizenship and, if applicable, contribution to policy.
• Demonstrate evidence of recognition by their peers in the field such as active peer review of journal articles, membership of scientific advisory committees, invited lectures, awards, prizes, membership in other academies or professional bodies. Peer review for Social Scientists will not be limited to journal articles. (See Annex 1)

Annex 1

Publications: Just like scientists, law professors publish articles, but they might also publish books, chapters in books, legislative drafting and reports. These publications are often in law reviews or other legal journals.

Citations in publications: Other legal scholars, practitioners, and even judges might cite these publications in their own work, showing that they find them valuable.

Judicial Opinions: Judges write opinions on the cases they decide. These opinions can be influential if they are well-reasoned and address important legal issues.

Citations by Other Courts: Other judges and courts might cite these judicial opinions in their own decisions, showing that they find them persuasive or authoritative.

High-Profile Cases and Wins: Description: A lawyer who has successfully handled high- profile or landmark cases that are frequently cited or referenced in legal discussions, academic literature, or subsequent case law.

Influential Legal Opinions and Amicus Briefs: Authoring or contributing to influential legal opinions or amicus briefs that have been cited or used in significant court ruling

The Nomination Process 

The A20226 nominations for Fellows opens on August 1st, 2026.  The nomination call will be sent out to all AAS Fellows and Associate Fellows. A notification will go out to non-Fellows informing them of the open call. Only current AAS Fellows and Associate Fellows can submit nominations. Self-nomination are not accepted but as indicated below, interested individuals may request a Fellow or Associate Fellow of AAS to nominate them. The call will remain open for until September 9th, 2026, when it closes and no more nominations will be accepted

The AAS reiterates its goal to admit more women into the Fellowship. All Fellows are encouraged to nominate at least female candidates.

Nominations are submitted on the AAS Online System.Please follow the link below
https://nominations.aasciences.africa/login
More information on the AAS Fellowship and the nomination process is available here: Nominations Guide.
 
Contacts
Please contact fellows@aasciences.africa if you need any clarification.

Deadline
Nominations must be submitted by 9 September 2026.