The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), through its Digital Innovations for Water Secure Africa (DIWASA) initiative, invites applications for MSc thesis support focused on advancing digital and data-driven solutions for Africa’s water sector. This call targets MSc students currently enrolled in African academic institutions who are interested in applying innovative digital technologies, Earth Observation data, and advanced analytics to address critical challenges in water management, agriculture, and climate resilience across the continent. About DIWASA DIWASA is a flagship initiative led by IWMI under CGIAR, with support from partners including the Helmsley Charitable Trust. The initiative focuses on leveraging digital innovations to improve water security, strengthen decision-making, and support sustainable development outcomes in Africa. By combining advanced data platforms, modelling tools, and capacity-building efforts, DIWASA aims to support evidence-based water management and policy engagement across national and regional contexts. Eligibility This call is open exclusively to MSc students who: Are currently enrolled at an African academic institution Are conducting or planning an MSc thesis related to water management, agriculture, climate, or environmental systems Demonstrate interest in digital, analytical, or data-driven research approaches Applicants must have an approved or proposed MSc thesis topic aligned with the DIWASA focus areas. Focus Areas Proposed thesis topics should align with one or more of the following thematic areas: Digital Solutions for Africa Application of innovative digital platforms and tools to improve water security Enhancing agricultural productivity and climate resilience through data-driven approaches Earth Observation Use of satellite imagery and remote sensing to monitor: Water resources Land use and land cover Climate variability and impacts Utilisation of platforms such as Digital Earth Africa (DE Africa) and the IWMI Geoportal for analysis-ready data Machine Learning and Deep Learning Development and deployment of AI-based models for: Hydrological assessments Drought monitoring Water availability and forecasting Integration of deep learning with Earth Observation to support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) DIWASA Tools Application of DIWASA’s water accounting and modelling tools, including: Coupled VegET and MizuRoute models Water Access Tool Vegetable Irrigation for Climate Resilience Toolkit (VICT) DIWASA Data Products Use of IWMI-generated datasets, including: Water accounting and discharge data Blue and green water metrics Irrigated area maps Other hydrological and agricultural data products DE Africa Sandbox Use Cases Development and demonstration of real-world applications using the DE Africa Sandbox Translating data insights into practical tools or decision-support applications Opportunities for Fellows Successful applicants will benefit from a combination of financial support, technical guidance, and professional development opportunities. Key benefits include: Capacity building through workshops and training sessions on: Hydrological modelling Earth Observation data analysis Python programming for spatial and geospatial data Collaborative research engagement with: IWMI researchers Digital Earth Africa teams National and regional water management organisations Contribution to impactful digital innovations that support water security and climate resilience in Africa Fellowship Support The DIWASA MSc thesis fellowship provides targeted support to strengthen the quality and impact of selected research projects. Support includes: USD 2,000 in financial assistance, disbursed in two instalments: Upon successful revision of the research proposal Upon submission of the final MSc thesis Technical guidance from DIWASA experts to enhance research design and implementation Access to DIWASA tools, datasets, and analytical platforms Opportunities to present research findings at relevant forums across Africa Networking opportunities with researchers, practitioners, and development partners Application Requirements Interested candidates must submit the following documents: A research proposal (maximum 5 pages) outlining: Thesis topic Research questions Methodology Work plan and timelines An expression of interest highlighting relevant skills, experience, and motivation Curriculum Vitae (CV) and academic transcripts A letter of support from the MSc supervisor Deadline and Submission Application deadline: 31 January 2026 All application materials should be submitted by email to:i.nile@cgiar.org VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the seeking organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.