AMR Shujaa Fellowship Program 2025 – Copy
Zihi Institute is a Kenyan non-profit organization dedicated to fostering resilient and healthy communities by combating infectious diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) through innovative education, research, and advocacy. Established in 2024 as the successor to Students Against Superbugs (SAS) Africa, Zihi builds on a five-year legacy of pioneering youth engagement in AMR across 14 African countries. SAS Africa implemented numerous youth-driven projects, including the AMR Ambassadors Program for Tertiary Students in Africa, the “The Ravaging Pandemic” documentary, the Antimicrobial Resistance Leaders Program for Tertiary Students in Africa (AMRLEP), the AMR Writers and Content Creators Program, the AMR Writers Program, among others, empowering young leaders to tackle AMR through education, innovation, and advocacy. The AMR Ambassadors Program engaged 75,558 people, involving students from 14 countries, establishing 8 AMR clubs, producing 1 research publication, securing 2 grants, creating 1 Swahili AMR handbook for secondary students in Tanzania, and founding 3 independent AMR NGOs.
Zihi Institute continues this mission, creating centers of excellence in Kenya with scalable models for Africa, addressing gaps in AMR mitigation and global health interventions. In November 2024, Zihi launched the Fahamu UVIDA (Know about AMR) program to commemorate World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024, engaging 49 tertiary students across 9 Kenyan counties to deliver AMR sensitization to 2,709 community members, including farmers, healthcare providers, and students.
The AMR Shujaa Fellowship Program is Zihi’s flagship legacy project, designed to amplify our commitment to youth-led AMR solutions as we escalate our core focus on infectious diseases and AMR. Aligned with Kenya’s National Action Plan (2023–2027), this program empowers 50–60 tertiary students to become “Shujaa” (champion) leaders, tackling the AMR crisis. Join us to lead transformative change, build leadership skills, and shape a healthier future for Africa.
Why AMR Shujaa?
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis, causing over 1.27 million deaths annually and disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, bacterial AMR alone was ranked as the third cause of deaths after stroke and ischemic heart diseases, attributed to 37,300 deaths and directly causing 8,500 deaths in 2019 alone. By 2050, AMR could lead to 4.1 million deaths yearly in Africa if unchecked. Kenya’s National Action Plan (2023–2027) prioritizes awareness and education to combat this threat, and the AMR Shujaa Fellowship aligns with this mission by empowering tertiary students to build a vast multidisciplinary professional pool to address AMR.
With 29% of Kenya’s population aged 18–34, tertiary students represent a critical resource for innovative, sustainable solutions. The AMR Shujaa Fellowship will equip these students with specialized training, fostering the creation of AMR clubs that will cultivate a large pool of human resource investment in AMR for the future. This multidisciplinary approach will ensure long-term expertise and impact, aligning with Zihi Institute’s commitment to scalable health interventions across Africa.
About the Program
The AMR Shujaa fellowship is a dynamic, one-year ringfenced program designed to engage 50–60 tertiary students from 10 Kenyan universities and colleges. This transformative initiative will empower you to become a vital part of a vast multidisciplinary professional pool tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Here’s what you’ll gain and achieve:
Expert-Led One Health Training
Dive into comprehensive training on AMR, exploring human, animal, and environmental health perspectives to build your expertise.
Empowerment Through AMR Clubs
Lead the creation of multidisciplinary AMR clubs at your institution, equipping you with leadership skills and fostering ongoing awareness and advocacy as you shape a sustainable future in AMR.
Secondary School Projects
Spearhead community-based AMR projects in 20 secondary schools, supported by seed funding for workshops and materials, enhancing your hands-on experience.
Toolkit Development
Collaborate with peers to co-create an age-appropriate, open-access AMR education toolkit for secondary schools.
Training of Trainers (ToT) Model
Amplify your influence by training peers and younger students, ensuring lasting, sustainable outcomes in the fight against AMR.
We are looking to ignite change by calling on students from Kenyan tertiary-level institutions where AMR feels overlooked in clubs and societies. The program will bring together 10 dynamic teams of 5-6 students from 10 Kenyan universities/colleges, prioritizing underserved regions with limited AMR exposure.
Program Scope
We are looking to ignite change by calling on students from Kenyan tertiary-level institutions where AMR feels overlooked in clubs and societies. The program will bring together 10 dynamic teams of 5-6 students from 10 Kenyan universities/colleges, prioritizing underserved regions with limited AMR exposure.
How Will Your Team Thrive?
Multidisciplinary Approach
We encourage a team combining medical and non-medical students (not mandatory) to stimulate fresh and diverse ideas.
Four-Phase Adventure
We will guide you through exciting virtual training, leadership growth, club creation, and hands-on secondary school projects. The skills will be useful in your careers in future.
Sustainability
We will empower you to create lasting AMR clubs in your tertiary institution and two neighboring secondary schools.
Community Impact
We will link you with two neighboring secondary schools to spark a youth-led AMR awareness network.
Benefits of enrolling in the program?
As an AMR Shujaa Fellow, we are excited to help you unlock a world of skills and opportunities to shape your future and Kenya’s health landscape. Here’s what you’ll gain:
Expertise
Your team will gain competence in effective ways of addressing AMR. You will have the opportunity of experiential learning, positioning you as key AMR advocates with a One Health approach to master mitigation strategies.
Leadership
We will guide you to develop project management, teamwork, and communication skills through hands-on projects and mentorship.
Funding
You will be awarded a seed grant to launch AMR clubs in two neighbouring secondary schools.
Resources
You will access Zihi Institute’s AMR toolkits and learning platforms to enhance your knowledge on AMR mitigation.
Networking
We will introduce you to AMR experts and peers across Kenya who will build a professional network to support your journey.
Certification Award
Complete 80% of program activities, and we will award you a Certificate of Merit to boost your resume and stand out.
Program Timeline
Phase 1: Virtual AMR Training
2 months (8-10 hours/week)
Building AMR Expertise: Engage in expert-led webinars, self-paced learning and peer discussions via our Learning Management System on One Health principles and mitigation strategies.
Phase 2: Leadership & Project Skill
2 months (6-8 hours/week)
Developing Leadership: Develop skills in project management, leadership, and community engagement through interactive sessions.
Phase 3: University AMR Clubs
2 months (8-10 hours/week)
Club Establishment: Establish multidisciplinary AMR clubs with institutional support, fostering ongoing awareness and advocacy.
Phase 4: Secondary School Projects
3 months (2-5 hours/week)
Community Impact: Lead AMR training and club creation in two neighbouring secondary schools, using seed funding for workshops and materials.
Participation and Commitment
We will track your progress to ensure you thrive. To earn your certificate of merit, you must complete at least 80% of all program activities across all the phases. As applicants, you must be enrolled as tertiary students from the start to the end of the program (approximately 12 months) and confirm your ability to commit to the outlined time requirements. Only apply if you are certain you can fully engage in this transformative experience.
What this program is
This program is a collaborative opportunity where we invite teams of 5-6 tertiary students from the same university or college in Kenya to apply together. Individual applications will be disqualified. We are targeting students from 10 institutions, especially those in underserved regions to tackle AMR. You will receive expert training, seed funding, and support to create AMR clubs and lead projects, all while co-developing innovative resources with us.
What this program is not
This program does not constitute an employment opportunity. There are no jobs or salaries involved as it is not a direct engagement with Zihi Institute as employees or staff. You will participate as fellows, working independently with our guidance. We will not provide ongoing financial support beyond the seed grants, and it doesn’t guarantee future roles with Zihi or any of our partners. This is a skills-building initiative, not a legal obligation for long-term organizational engagement. Kindly take note to avoid any misunderstandings.
F.A.Q.
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions to get answers to some common questions
We welcome current tertiary students at Kenyan universities or colleges, ideally in teams of 5–6 from the same institution. We encourage multidisciplinary teams, especially from underserved regions with limited AMR exposure.
We’re sorry, but this program is designed exclusively for group applications of 5–6 students to foster collaboration and ensure smooth implementation. Individual participation poses challenges, particularly in Phases 3 and 4, where we can’t provide seed funding or support for club and school projects without a team structure. We encourage you to team up with peers.
Expect 4–6 hours per week for virtual training (4 months) and 6–8 hours per week for club and school projects (5 months) over one year. Activities are scheduled, often in evenings, to avoid conflicts with your academic commitments.
No, the seed funding is dedicated to supporting the AMR club you create at your university and your work with two secondary schools. It covers workshops, training materials, or community events, managed through club accounts with financial oversight to ensure accountability.
Only currently enrolled students are eligible, as the program requires active institutional affiliation and physical presence in Kenya. Recent graduates can explore Zihi Institute’s volunteer or advocacy programs for AMR involvement.
No prior knowledge is needed! We welcome beginners and provide comprehensive training to equip you with the skills to champion AMR mitigation effectively.
You’ll receive expert-led training, mentorship from AMR professionals, seed funding for projects, access to Zihi Institute’s AMR resources and toolkits, and administrative support for club establishment.
You’ll hear back within 21 days after the application deadline, with feedback sent to the team leader’s email from a Zihi Institute address.
No, the program is free. We only require your time, commitment, and dedication to participate fully in all activities.
Not at all! We embrace multidisciplinary engagement and students from non-medical course are encouraged to apply. AMR is a complex issue requiring diverse perspectives, and we encourage teams with varied backgrounds to bring fresh ideas to the table.
Become an AMR Shujaa
Ready to champion Kenya’s fight against AMR? Form a team of 5–6 students and apply. For further inquiries, contact info@zihiinstitute.org
