ORCID-WACA Ambassador Programme
Learn more about the Ambassadors Programme – the special purpose vehicle to enhance the visibility, awareness and adoption of ORCID in-country.
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What is the ORCID-WACA Ambassador Programme?
The ORCID-WACA Ambassador Programme is a flagship initiative designed to build regional capacity and drive ORCID adoption across West and Central Africa. Ambassadors serve as champions, educators, and advocates for research identity and persistent identifiers within their institutions and professional networks.
Selected ambassadors receive comprehensive training, resources, and support to conduct workshops, engage stakeholders, and promote ORCID adoption. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of research visibility in Africa while developing your professional skills and expanding your network.
Programme Duration & Commitment
Duration: February 2026 – July 2026 (6 months)
Time Commitment: 4-6 hours per month (workshops, outreach, Community of Practice participation)
What will Ambassadors do?
Conduct Workshops
Ambassadors will organise hands-on training sessions on ORCID to increase adoption in their respective academic communities
Institutional Outreach
Ambassadors engage the hierarchy of the institutions to help promote and adopt ORCID in their institutions
Community Leadership
Ambassadors participate actively in Community of Practice forums by sharing experiences and supporting peers in the region
Communications
Ambassadors promote events, outreaches, achievements and success stories of the ORCID-WACA project
Who Should Apply?
Eligibility Criteria
- Location: Based at a recognised higher education or research institution in West or Central Africa
- Experience: Familiar with researcher identification systems (PIDs) and scholarly communication practices
- Roles: Librarians, repository managers, research administrators, faculty, early-career researchers, journal editors, or open science advocates
- ORCID iD: Must have an active ORCID iD with demonstrated use (linked publications, affiliations, or institutional profile)
- Training Experience: Previous experience delivering workshops, training, or outreach activities
- Language: Effective communication in English or French
- Commitment: Available for the full programme duration (Feb – Jul 2026)
We're Looking For:
- Passionate advocates for research visibility
- Strong communicators and educators
- Institutional influencers and connectors
- Diverse representation (gender, discipline, country, institution type)
What You'll Receive
Stipend
Receive financial support for your time and efforts upon successful completion of the programme parameters.
Training & Resources
Comprehensive orientation, workshop templates, promotional materials, and ongoing peer mentorship tracks.
Recognition
Certificate of Achievement, public profile indexing on the ORCID-WACA website, and formal recognition from WACREN.
Network
Connect with fellow ambassadors, regional ORCID experts, and prominent research leaders across Africa.
Professional Development
Build foundational skills in regional training delivery, stakeholder engagement, and research infrastructure advocacy.
Career Impact
Enhance your professional academic profile as a recognized regional leader in open science networks.
Application Process
Complete Application Form
Provide your ORCID iD, experience with ORCID, and a statement explaining why you want to become an ambassador and how you’ll increase adoption in your institution.
Application Review
ORCID-WACA team reviews all applications based on eligibility, experience, commitment, and potential impact (January – February 2026).
Selection Notification
Selected ambassadors notified by end of January 2026. All applicants receive a response.
Orientation & Training
Virtual orientation session in February 2026, followed by ongoing training and support throughout the programme.
Important Notes
- Incomplete applications will not be considered
- You must have an active ORCID iD to apply
- Applications close: January 15, 2026 at 23:59 UTC
- 15 ambassadors will be selected region-wide
Meet Our Ambassadors
Our ambassadors represent diverse disciplines, countries, and career stages across West and Central Africa. They are passionate about research visibility and committed to advancing ORCID adoption.
Dr. Eyouleki Palanga
Research LibrarianUniversité de Lomé
Prof. Ousmane Thiare
Director GeneralSénégalaise de l’Éducation
Dr. B. Telesphore
Director of ITUniversité Norbert Zongo
Ms. Oluwatoyin Aralepo
M&E SpecialistUniversity of Lagos
Ambassador Name 5
Early Career ResearcherUniversity of Ghana
Ambassador Name 6
Repository ManagerUniversité Cheikh Anta Diop
Ambassador Name 7
Research LibrarianYour Institution?
Ambassador Name 8
Applications OpenRegional Center Network
Ambassador Name 9
Research Systems ExpertNational University Ecosystem
Ambassador Name 10
Open Science AdvocateCovenant University
Ambassador Name 11
Academic Operations LeadAshesi University
Ambassador Name 12
Repository ManagerUniversité de Ouagadougou
Ambassador Name 13
Information Systems SpecialistNjala University
Ambassador Name 14
Data Infrastructure EngineerUniversity of Benin
Ambassador Name 15
Research Informatics OfficerKwame Nkrumah University
Ready to Lead Change?
Applications close January 15, 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of research visibility in Africa.
Expected Outcomes of Ambassadors Activities
High Rate Of ORCID Adoption
More African researchers registered, trained, and equipped to make their work visible on the global stage.
Institutional Buy-In
Senior leadership buy-in that turns into institutional ORCID policies, system integrations, and durable, region-wide adoption.
Sustainable Community Of Practice
A self-sustaining, bilingual peer network where African experience drives African solutions long beyond the project.
Greater Visibility And Support For African Researchers
Stronger regional and global visibility for African research, attracting new partners, funders, and policy support.