Since its launch in 2023, the Countdown to 2030 Fellowship program has focused on strengthening sustainable, country-led research and analytical capacity in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N). Fellows are embedded in national institutions and work with technical partners to generate, interpret, and utilize data that informs sector reviews, equity assessments, and policy dialogue. As more fellows transition from analysis to dissemination through conference presentations, policy briefs, manuscripts, and engagement with government stakeholders, there is a growing need for a shared space for peer learning, reflection, and visibility across cohorts.
The new webinar series responds to this need. It creates a regular platform for fellows to share what they are learning, how they navigate research–policy linkages, and where they see opportunities to deepen collaboration with ministries of health and development partners.
What to Expect from the Inaugural Webinar
On 17 February 17, 2026, the Countdown to 2030 for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health Fellowship Programme will host the first webinar in a new knowledge-sharing series, “From Fellowship to Impact – Showcasing Fellows’ Research and Policy Engagement Journeys.” This 90-minute virtual event will bring together fellows, supervisors, national institutions, and global partners to reflect on how embedded analytical work is strengthening health systems across Africa.
The launch webinar, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Dakar time (GMT), is structured around fellows’ experiences and the broader ecosystem that supports their work. After a short welcome, the Countdown Director and partners, such as the Global Financing Facility and the Global Fund, will introduce the Countdown Fellowship model and its contribution to building sustainable local research capacity.
At the heart of the session is a “Fellows’ Spotlight,” where three to four fellows will share their learning journeys from analysis to engagement in 5–7 minute presentations. These stories will span different regions, thematic areas, and stages of progress, such as a national policy brief, a subnational inequalities analysis, or a manuscript in preparation, illustrating the multiple pathways through which fellows are contributing to monitoring, learning, and accountability processes.
A panel of RMNCAH and policy engagement experts, including partners such as the GFF, will then reflect on what it takes to strengthen research capacity, embedded learning, and policy linkages over time. An interactive question and answer will allow participants to ask questions, share their e experiences, and identify common challenges and opportunities across countries. The session will close with key takeaways from the Countdown Secretariat, including emerging priorities for future webinars in the series.
Who is this Space for?
The series is designed for Countdown fellows, both current and alumni, and their supervisors and mentors. It is also open to the wider Countdown network, including researchers and analysts collaborating with Countdown, representatives from RMNCAH-N programmes in ministries of health, and strategic partners such as WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, Gavi, the Global Fund, the Global Financing Facility, AfDB, and WAHO. With an expected attendance of 60–100, the webinar will bring together a diverse community committed to using data and evidence to improve outcomes for women, children, and adolescents.
By convening this community regularly, the series aims to reinforce the identity and visibility of the Countdown Fellowship across Africa and position fellows as a growing cadre of analysts contributing to national learning and innovation systems.
Looking Ahead: from Stories to Systems Change
Beyond individual events, the “From Fellowship to Impact” series aims to build a shared understanding of the many ways embedded research can support programmes and policies over time. Each webinar will generate practical reflections on analytical work, mentorship, and dissemination, while surfacing lessons on partnership, ownership, and sustainability.