AMR Shujaa Fellowship Program
About Us
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 over 75,000 people, including students from 14 African countries, established 8 university AMR clubs, produced 1 research publication, won 2 grants, created 1 Swahili AMR handbook for secondary school students in Tanzania, and supported the establisment of 3 independent AMR NGOs.
Why AMR Shujaa Fellowship?
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. Zihi Institute proudly launches AMPLIFY – Advancing Multidisciplinary Pathways for Learning, Innovation, and Youth Focus on AMR. AMPLIFY is a flagship youth empowerment initiative designed to tackle AMR through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, with the AMR Shujaa Fellowship Program as its inaugural program. 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 Program is a dynamic, one-year ringfenced program designed to engage 50–60 undergraduate 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: undergraduate
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.
This program is not just training; it is a launchpad for your career, offering hands-on leadership, collaboration with experts, and a chance to contribute to a global health movement. Note that while it focuses on professional development and club establishment, it does not include direct employment opportunities but equips you with skills for future roles in AMR mitigation.
Program Scope
We are looking to ignite change by calling on students from Kenyan tertiary-level institutions where AMR initiatives are scarce. The program will bring together 10 dynamic teams of 5-6 undergraduate students from 10 Kenyan universities/colleges, prioritizing underserved regions with limited AMR exposure.
How Will Your Team Thrive?
Multidisciplinary Approach
We encourage a team comprising medical and non-medical undergraduate 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
Your team will be offered seed funding to support you to engage with stakeholders in establishing an AMR club within our university, supporting 2 secondary schools and other community engagement activities.
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 & anagement skills
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 & Community 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
All members of a team should be from the same university. We will track your progres 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. All applicants should still be studying at their university by July 2026. 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 undergraduate 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 in Kenya.. 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, and there is no provision of salaries or stipends to the selected participants.
FAQs
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions to get answers to some common questions
We welcome current undergraduate 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. However, you can create impact by volunteering here.
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 email 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.
All members of a team should be from the same university
Program Pathway
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
